Short-term rental properties have many unique aspects and needs when compared to a typical smart home. Check out our article with more details, but in short your Airbnb’s needs are unique and require a little additional sophistication to manage successfully.
Enter UniFi. They are a commercial networking equipment manufacturer that has built a reliable set of enterprise-grade equipment for consumer-grade prices. We’ll cover a few options that are available from UniFi of varying levels of complexity so you can choose the system that makes the most sense for your setup. All of the options allow you the flexibility and simplicity to create and secure a reliable system at your short term rental property.
And the best part: you can continue to upgrade and expand your setup if the need arises in the future. UniFi allows you to start small and grow to a very large sophisticated system.
1. Internet
One common problem in short-term rental properties is an internet setup that isn’t capable of handling the amount of devices that guests bring. The average traveler has 3 devices, and simultaneously connecting all of these new devices to your network every week can cause problems for most consumer internet routers. Most of the time these guests are also taking lots of photos and videos while they are traveling, and when the devices all start automatically uploading this content it can cause the system to fail.
Putting in a UniFi system enables you the power to implement the following for your short-term rental, all documented in detail in our step-by-step guide to UniFi Network:
- An always-up no need to power cycle internet setup for continuous high-performance.
- A separate guest network for your guests, isolated and speed-limited if needed, with a guest portal where the user must agree to simple terms before being allowed online.
- A private network for all of your equipment and owner devices.
- Robust security settings, allowing you to isolate guest and smart devices you do not trust, if needed.
What sets UniFi apart from any other system is that it’s expandable. The main internet device is also the system’s brain, which can be managed remotely and can power many additional products that come in handy for short-term rental properties.
Our recommendations for equipment, based on two different sets of needs, are below:
Our cost effective and simple solution is to purchase the UniFi Dream Router. This single device is your router, WiFi access point, security gateway, and system brain. It can serve all of your needs for smaller properties that don’t need multiple access points utilized in more sophisticated systems.
The great thing about the Dream Router is that you still run all the same apps as the more commercial-like equipment discussed later in the article, but in a simpler and more cost-effective setup. To support cameras (discussed further down), you will need to add a large micro SD card for the recording storage.
Furthermore, the Dream Router can be paired with other UniFi WiFi devices, discussed in the next section, to extend the WiFi beyond the Dream Router or to another building.
Our commercial solution recommendation is a bit more complex, but can support very large properties or multi-unit condos or complexes. This system needs to be built out with more planning, and you need to have access to run ethernet to various locations to distribute the WiFi devices over PoE (power over ethernet).
All devices recommended here are managed and configured centrally by the main internet router device, and will mesh, so they can be used to “jump” internet from one building to another close by. We’ve used this to jump internet to a shed or a post on properties to extend the WiFi outdoors and to provide internet to cameras mounted in these areas.
For this setup, there are multiple devices you will need and be able to choose from.
- Main internet router and brain: Dream Machine Pro. You will need to add a disk to this unit to support cameras, discussed in the next section.
- PoE switch (optional) – provides you the ability to power multiple UniFi devices (WiFi access points, cameras, etc) from one managed device. We recommend the Lite 8 PoE for most installs which includes 4 PoE ports, but there are many switching options available to meet whatever your needs.
- WiFi access point(s) – create a seamless WiFi network across your property utilizing different types of APs, all of which can be used for bridging between close buildings:
- Standard area WiFi: U7 Pro
- Broadcast WiFi for large outdoor spaces: U7 Outdoor
- Building bridge – used to “jump” internet longer distances between buildings: Building-to-Building Bridge
All of this is covered in much more detail with instructions for setup of various situations in our step-by-step guide on UniFi Network.
2. Cameras
As mentioned earlier, the UniFi system is expandable and is far more about everything else that you can do with it than just a reliable network solution. Utilizing either of the recommended “brains” above, you can also run the “Protect” app which allows you to setup and monitor one or more cameras on your property.
Utilizing the switches discussed earlier, or the included PoE+ adapters, the following are recommended cameras for use on the exterior areas of your property, or in locked-off locations where guests are not allowed:
- UniFi Doorbell Pro – A very capable dual-camera doorbell with smart detection notifications to alert you to vehicles, people and animals.
- G5 Bullet – standard work-horse weatherproof HD camera
Our two recommendations are above, but there are many others to choose from. Just make sure you purchase G4 or later cameras so they have the smart motion detection capabilities.
3. Door Access
As we continue down the UniFi road, we find yet another feature that can be very useful to short-term rental owners. The Access app. This app and hardware helps you to configure and manage door access systems and intercoms for multi-unit buildings.
In order to utilize the Access app, you need some additional hardware that all seamlessly integrates into your UniFi ecosystem:
- UniFi Door Hub – the controller for your exterior door(s), up to 2, their associated outdoor intercom units, and other security-related devices. Explore other hub options for larger or smaller installations.
- Intercom – the exterior keypad, directory, camera and intercom system for communicating with the units
- Intercom Viewer – the internal viewer mounted in each unit to allow viewing, communicating with, and opening the exterior door
The Door Hub should seamlessly integrate with existing door wiring, and should be able to replace an existing controller. All other devices are powered by PoE, so Cat-5 wiring may be required to replace existing 12-wire Cat-2 type wiring.
Explore the other device options and accessories to accompany or substitute for our recommended devices, allowing for key-card, fob and larger or smaller installations.
With a little investment in quality networking, camera and door control technology, your Airbnb short term rental can become a self-sufficient machine that can be easily and reliably managed remotely.
Refer to our step-by-step guides for detailed instructions on how to setup common usages of the equipment discussed above.
Want to see more recommended devices?
We’ve put together a list of recommendations for smart home devices in your Airbnb. Check out our curated list of the best smart devices for your Airbnb or short-term rental.
