How to read a rental listing before you book
A listing is a sales page written by the host. Read it like one: with interest, and with an eye for what it does not say.
Photos: count the rooms
Go through the photos and match each one to a room. You should be able to see every bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen and the living space. If a listing sleeps six but you can only find photos of one bedroom, ask about the others. Wide-angle photos make rooms look bigger than they are; look at the furniture for scale. A double bed or a sofa tells you more about the size of a room than the photo's framing.
Notice what is missing. No photo of the bathroom, no photo of the view the title promises, no photo of the building entrance: none of these is a problem in itself, but each is worth a question.
The description: separate facts from adjectives
"Charming", "cosy" and "vibrant" are adjectives; "third floor without lift", "double glazing" and "two minutes from the tram" are facts. Copy the facts into a note. The adjectives are the host's opinion, and sometimes a polite way of describing small, old or noisy.
The map: where exactly?
Many platforms show an approximate location until you book. Check the area shown against what you plan to do: how far is it on foot from the evening part of town, and is there a direct line to the station? If the exact street matters to you, for noise or safety reasons, ask the host for the street or the nearest landmark.
The house details that change a stay
- Stairs and lift: essential with heavy luggage, children or limited mobility.
- Beds: how many real beds, and how many sofa beds.
- Heating and cooling: important in older buildings, in both summer and winter.
- Check-in method and latest arrival time: see our guide to late arrivals and self check-in.
- Wi-Fi: if you need to work, see how to check the Wi-Fi before you rely on it.
- House expectations: quiet hours, guests, smoking, pets. Read them before booking, not on arrival.
The total price
Compare places on the full amount you will pay for your dates, including cleaning and service fees, not on the nightly rate shown in search results. A cheaper nightly rate with a high cleaning fee can cost more than a pricier place for a two-night stay. Our article on why nightly prices change explains how those rates are set.
Ask one good question
A short, specific message before booking ("Is the second bedroom a real bedroom with a door?") gives you an answer and a sense of how the host communicates. Both are useful.