Welcome to your home away from home! Room number 1 is large, bright, clean, air conditioned, and in a FULLY renovated home, in a safe and quiet neighborhood, with plenty of free street parking. The property is centrally located: Only 10 minutes from the airport and downtown Buffalo and 30 minutes to Niagara Falls. Your room features high quality furnishings and a brand new queen sized Tempurpedic mattress. The space is extremely clean as I wash all bedding including comforters between each stay. The space There are two bedrooms on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor. I live downstairs and your room and shared bathroom (shared with 2 other rooms) are located upstairs. You will have a private entrance (the side-door) which you will access with a code and will need to take two flights of stairs (19 steps) to reach your room. The space also features a kitchenette suitable for heating and refrigerating food (not cooking), and includes a refrigerator, a freezer, a microwave, an electric hot water kettle, a coffee maker, and free coffee. Guest access You can check-in any time after 4 pm but if you are checking-in when others may be sleeping (10 pm - 8 am) I ask that you are considerate of others and try to keep noise at a minimum. Free street parking is available adjacent to the home on the streets directly in the front and the back of the property. The home is accessible from both streets, so if you park in the back you won’t have to walk any more than if you had parked in the front. I suggest parking behind the house since that street has significantly more parking spots available. The driveway on the property is too narrow and unsuitable for parking so I ask that you refrain from parking on the driveway. You are allowed to use the driveway temporarily (15 minutes or less) to load/unload your luggage if you’d like. During your stay I live downstairs and I’m available during your stay if you need any help. Other things to note HOUSE RULES: IMPORTANT: Please read the listing description in its entirety BEFORE booking. Airbnbs are in people’s homes and are very different than booking a hotel. Therefore, you must always read the listing description, read the House Rules, and check the amenities BEFORE you book to make sure the listing meets YOUR needs. Please note that every guest is REQUIRED to read the “House Rules” and agree to following them BEFORE making reservations on Airbnb. I’ve included detailed and accurate information in my advertisement, so there’s no reason any miscommunications should arise since you were required to read this information BEFORE booking. Please note that if you are expecting “perfection” this is NOT the listing for you. Please read that again. Airbnbs were never meant to mimic staying at a hotel, instead they provide you with a stay similar to what you’d experience if you were staying with a friend or a relative. That’s why they cost less than hotels and require that you treat them with the same respect and attention you’d show a friend or a relative while staying in their house. When hosts put their homes on Airbnb, they make traveling possible at a fraction of the cost, a process that is based on MUTUAL gratitude and respect. The following list of House Rules were developed based on showing respect for others in order to ensure 1) all guests have a good experience in a shared space, and 2) the home is protected from damage and excessive wear and tear so that I can continue hosting guests at affordable prices. They also serve as a house manual to assist you during your stay and ensure maximum transparency. Thank you for your cooperation. 1. LOCAL RESIDENTS: Please note that I have made the decision to stop hosting local residents as I’ve experienced too many instances of local residents making reservations only to host unapproved parties and a few instances of local residents refusing to vacate the property after their reservation ended. So, if you maintain a residence locally, please refrain from making a reservation. Ignoring this rule will result in cancellation. 2. SHARED BATHROOM: Please note that you are booking a private room inside my home and will have access to a bathroom that is shared with other people. So, it’s important that you limit your time in the bathroom in order to allow others the ability to use the bathroom as well. This means using the mirrors in your room to do your hair and makeup and not mindlessly scrolling your phone while you are using the toilet. If you have an important engagement to get to in the morning, you might want to consider showering the night before or communicating with your housemates in advance. For decades, people have been using shared bathrooms effectively in exchange for the possibility of staying in budget-friendly accommodations across the globe. There’s no reason for humans to suddenly lose the ability to communicate simple logistics. Please note, there are washcloths available to you in the bathroom. I’ve also included some toiletry items in the bathroom cabinet for your use during your stay. Please do not remove these items from the property so other guests can use them as well. 3. PLUMBING: Please don't flush anything other than toilet paper in the toilet. Doing so causes expensive repair bills. Please use the waste basket for disposing of sanitary or feminine products and other unwanted items. If you clog the toilet, please use the plunger located inside the bathroom to unclog it. 4. IDENTITY: BEFORE making a reservation, ensure that the name on your profile matches your legal name and that your profile information is updated. Your profile must include a clear photo of your face similar to what you would see on government-issued identification. AFTER receiving a confirmed reservation, please send me a message with the full legal name of all guests who will be sharing the accommodations. Please note that booking for someone else is against Airbnb's Terms of Service and allowing someone not on the reservation to access the home is considered TRESPASSING. Based on host discretion, ignoring this rule will either result in cancellation without a refund, or being assessed a fee of $35 per person/per night for all guests not included on the reservation. For liability purposes, all guests will be required to present their government-issued identification upon check-in. You can read more about the process here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1237 5. PARKING: The property is accessible from the street in front of the house, as well as the street behind the house. You may park on both streets for free, but the driveway is too narrow and unsuitable for parking, so I ask that you please refrain from using the driveway. You may however use the driveway temporarily (15 minutes or less) to load/unload your luggage if you’d like. While parking, please ensure that you read all street signs and don’t block any driveways. In my personal experience, the street behind the home usually has significantly more spots. I’ve included photos of both the front and the back of the house in the “check-in instructions” available in the Airbnb app. There is also a very large private parking lot that belongs to the church that is directly behind the home which you may park on, but please first try the street, as I do not want to inconvenience the property manager by sending all of my guests there. However, I have talked to them and they said it is ok to park there. Due to the property not having a back fence, the house is immediately accessible from this parking lot. 6. COOKING: It is a COMMON MISCONCEPTION that all Airbnbs provide a space for cooking food. I do not advertise that I offer a kitchen (which is defined by Airbnb as a space where guests can cook their own meals). Instead, my ad says I offer a kitchenette (which is defined by Airbnb as a space where guests can heat and refrigerate food). If you require a kitchen, you may filter your search results to see listings that offer a “kitchen.” 7. QUIET HOURS: Airbnb requires guests to observe quiet hours. At this listing, they are 10 PM - 8 AM, so please keep noise to a minimum during these hours and make sure there is no loud music, loud TV, or loud talking so everyone can get a good night's sleep. Guests are welcome to come and go as they please, but if it's late, please be mindful of others and try to keep noise at a minimum. 8. CHECK-IN: Please note that you will need to take two flights of stairs (19 stairs) to reach your room. Step by step “check-in instructions” along with photos are available in the app 48 hours before your check-in day. You can find this information in the “trips” section of your app, under “how to get inside.” I allow guests to check-in any time after 4 PM and due to this flexibility sometimes there won’t be anyone to greet you at your preferred arrival time and YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK YOURSELF IN. So, if you will not have access to the internet on your phone, you will need to make screen shots of the “check-in instructions” before your arrival. As previously stated, you may check-in any time after 4 PM, but if you are arriving when others may be sleeping (quiet hours are between 10 PM and 8 AM), please try to be as quiet as possible so you do not disturb others. Upon entering the home, please remove your shoes and leave them at the door. 9. CHECK-OUT: Please ensure that you check-out no later than 10 AM to allow me enough time to clean and sanitize the room for the next guests. I have to leave for work at 11:30 AM and need to clean and sanitize all rooms before I leave so the next guests can check-in. Therefore, I cannot allow any late check-outs. If you ignore this rule, I will need to hire last-minute professional cleaners and you will be charged a $100 late check-out fee to cover the costs associated with your late check-out. 10. SHARED ITEMS: Please note that the bathroom and the kitchenette are shared with other guestrooms, so please be considerate of others and leave these items in the same condition you found them. For example, if you get the bathroom floor wet, please dry it with a washcloth (available inside the bathroom closet) to prevent slips and falls. If you clog the toilet, please use the plunger located inside the bathroom to unclog it. If you use the filtered water in the fridge, please put the pitcher back in the fridge for others to be able to use it as well. If you make coffee, please place your used coffee grinds in the garbage. Please note that all tap water at the property including the bathroom sink is potable (safe to drink). 11. BEDDING: There are two extra pillows and an extra blanket in each closet. I try to keep a very sanitary environment and for this reason, I do not allow guests to bring their own bedding such as blankets and pillows, since this may introduce bed bugs. Thank you for your cooperation. 12. CLEAN-UP: You’re choosing to stay in someone’s home for a fraction of the cost of staying in a traditional hotel, and being respectful of the space, the host, and other guests is your end of the bargain. You don't need to make your bed before checking-out since I strip the sheets and wash all bedding after you leave (as a courtesy you may strip the sheets before you check-out, if you like), but please be courteous and place garbage, especially food items, in the waste basket to prevent pest problems in the future. Also, for obvious reasons, please drain liquids in the bathroom sink before placing them in the garbage (for example: open can of soda, or a disposable coffee cup with coffee in it). If you’ve accidentally stained the bedding or the towels, please send me a message and let me know so I can attempt to treat the stain. This also applies to any other accidents or spills. If there are any accidents or spills, please communicate with me so I can take care of the situation. In the event of UNREPORTED damaged and/or stained bedding or towels, you will be charged $100 for damaged and/or stained bedding, and $20 for each damaged and/or stained and/or missing towel. There will be no charge if you notify me before your check-out. 13. TOWELS: After using your towels, please hang them in your room so that you can re-use them during your stay. I shouldn’t have to say this, but please do not place wet towels on the bedding as water permanently damages mattresses. Also please don't remove any property, including towels, from the home, and please don't use towels or bedding as rags to clean dirty items (or to remove makeup). It permanently stains them. 14. SHOES: Please note that due to my household experiencing Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) I try to maintain an allergen-free home, so I request that you do not wear shoes anywhere inside the home. For this reason, I ask that you please leave your shoes at the door upon entry. Ignoring this rule will result in a $300 penalty in order to cover the costs associated with deep cleaning all carpeting in the home. 15. PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS: Due to the medical conditions and exemptions described in the previous section, I am unable to host pets and/or service animals. 16. SAFETY: a. For your own safety as well as mine, please ensure that you LOCK the entry-door each time you exit and enter the house. When you exit the home, press the "Yale" logo on the keypad and listen for the lock to activate. When you enter the home, turn the lever to lock the door. I don’t know why, but if you ask other hosts, you will quickly learn that guests leaving doors wide open is a common occurrence in Airbnbs. b. Only iron clothing on the ironing board. Ironing clothing on the bed will MELT the waterproof mattress protector and in addition to damaging the mattress may cause a fire. c. Smoking of ANY KIND is not allowed anywhere on the premises. Ignoring this rule will result in a $300 penalty. 17. ROOM KEYS: I have included keys on your individual bedroom doors so you can protect your personal belongings during your stay, so please ensure that you lock your bedroom door when you leave the home as you assume all liability for missing items. Please don’t forget to put the key back in the doorknob when you check-out. 18. AMENITIES: Please note that there aren’t any rules for what types of amenities hosts are required to offer their guests and therefore your stays will differ from one host to another. I keep the list of amenities that I provide 100% accurate and up-to-date, so please review them so you can plan your trip accordingly. It is your responsibility to ensure that the listing you are booking meets your expectations before you make the reservation, instead of being upset after your arrival. With that being said, if there is an item that you forgot to bring (for example a charger or some type of toiletry) please don’t hesitate to message me, as I’m happy to help if I have the item available. Similarly, if you have any problems during your stay, send me a message BEFORE you check-out so I can try to help you. 19. CAMERAS: The home has five exterior cameras for safety. 20. EASTER EGG: If these rules make sense to you and YOU ARE HAPPY to follow them, please go ahead and make a reservation. If you are uncomfortable with any of these rules, then this is the exact type of guest I’m hoping to deter, so please refrain from reserving a room in my home. Finally, this is how I know who actually reads the house-rules: If you read this far, please send me a note with the type of non-alcoholic beverage you like to drink (for example: iced tea, Pepsi, Sprite, Fanta, etc) AT LEAST ONE DAY PRIOR to your check-in date and I will leave the beverage of your choice in the refrigerator with your name on it. Ice is in the freezer, and I hope you enjoy your time in Buffalo!