Rent Out Your Dock: How it works
If you want to rent out your dock or boat slip that you’re not using, it’s time to list it on Dockshare and start making some passive income.
Best of all, it’s free to list!
Top 3 things you need to know:
- We provide peace of mind with secure payment processing, enhanced guest screening, and property damage protection.
- All payments go through our secure platform and Dockshare retains 10% of earnings. Payouts occur 24 hours prior to the first day of the booking.
- You set all the rules! What will you charge? Allow liveaboards? Is parking available? Can people bring pets? It’s all on your terms!
List on Dockshare
Dockshare makes it easy for you to rent out your dock. List your dock for free and start earning a passive income. Here are our top tips for listing your dock:
1. Create your profile.
Give your dock a fun name, add it to the map, and include specifics such as mean low water depth, slip length and width, etc. Listings with images are more likely to get booked – add images that you take (when adding images make sure no personal information or license plates are in the photos) or you can likely find them on a real estate listing for your property. All signage, flags, and decorations should make renters feel safe and welcome.
2. Set your rates.
Name your price – when you rent out your dock, your earnings are in your control! We recommend checking rates at local marinas and considering your amenities and proximity to major attractions and setting a competitive price accordingly.
3. Start earning!
Once listed, your dock is viewable to boaters looking for slips. You’ll receive an email if your dock has been booked.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely! However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when doing so.
Setting the right price can mean the difference between getting a steady flow of bookings or none at all. You might have the top-secret scoop on why guests would be willing to pay more, or less, than our suggested rates, and we want to give the freedom to have control over each listing. That’s why we give everyone the ability to set their own rates. For example, if a dock is near a popular destination and the nearby docks usually fill up fast, charging a little more might be reasonable. If the docks don’t always fill up and the area requires guests to walk a little farther to get to their destination, it may be advisable to make rates lower.
If we notice that a price is set far above the market in your neighborhood and reservations aren’t being made, we may reach out and offer some guidance to help with earning potential.
Setting the right price is very important. The right price can mean the difference between getting tons of booking or none at all. Consider the average marina rates in your area and set a competitive price. Also consider your location and amenities and price accordingly.
Yes! Dockshare provides enhanced guest screening services and property damage protection. Learn more here.
The amount of income that can be earned from a listing will vary depending on location, availability and number of docks. Some hosts who are very close to high demand areas earn more than less attractions nearby. No matter what, it’s always more than an empty dock would make!
When private dock owners join our crew, we encourage them to abide by the following basic requirements, after all – treat others the way you would like to be treated!
• Be responsive and timely: Reply to booking inquiries and reservation requests within 24 hours.
• Accept reservation requests: Accept requests anytime your dock is available.
• Avoid cancellations: Avoid cancelling on your guests – they are counting on you.
• Maintain a high overall rating: Provide a consistent level of quality. Boaters and watercraft users will seek out quality service from our dock owners.
We encourage you to have your dock and property ready for your renters 24 hours in advance, so you aren’t rushing to make your first impression. That allows for time to make any necessary changes.
We suggest that you follow some of these recommendations:
- Have your dock in tip-top shape – if boards are loose or need to be replaced, do it before your Dockshare renters arrive.
- Disclose any security cameras on the dock or along the walkway.
- Determine safe occupancy levels on the dock.
- Determine best route from the dock to the nearest walkway or path.
- Put things away that could be a possible hazard to children.
Being a good Dockshare host isn’t just about adhering to our basic requirements. It’s about going above the minimum and truly exceeding expectations.
Below please find some of our suggested tips on being a responsible host:
• Clean space
– Clean off your dock and surrounding space prior to and after boat/water vessel guests arrive and depart.
– Read labels and use chemicals on the OSHA list.
• Safety
– Provide local emergency numbers and closest hospital.
– Provide a direct emergency number for host as well as a secondary emergency host contact.
– Utilize the communication platform on Dockshare app for secure outreaches.
– Our technology enables us to determine fraudulent activity by verifying user accounts, allowing dock owners and boaters to confirm their identities of each party.
• Reduce hazards
– Be sure that your dock is in tip-top shape – if boards are loose or need to be replaced, do it before your Dockshare guests arrive.
– Disclose any security cameras on the dock or along the walkway.
– Determine safe occupancy levels on the dock.
– Determine best route from the dock to the nearest walkway or path.
– Put things away that could be a possible hazard to children.
• Inclusion
– We strive to make the water accessible to everyone.
– We expect our community members to be respectful, kind, and inclusive.
– We will not tolerate inappropriate behavior either online or in person. We reserve the right to remove anyone from the Dockshare community should you fail to follow our principles.
• Neighbors
– Post signage if you do not allow smoking.
– Encourage guests to keep noise down if the dock is in an area with close neighbors. Please remind dock renters that the dock is not a party venue.
– If pets are onboard, encourage the dock renters to pick up after their animals and to dispose of the waste in a trash can.
Dockshare has partnered with a property damage protection company, which combines advanced guest screening with embedded insurance. All validated bookings are protected by their guarantee and a digital security deposit. To learn more about the property damage protection plan, contact us today!
In order to make a dock inactive, go to “My Docks” and edit the availability for your dock.
Please keep in mind that if you are changing dock availability you are still expected to honor any future bookings that have already been booked.
Simply use the communication platform on Dockshare’s site for secure outreaches. Our technology enables us to determine fraudulent activity by verifying user accounts, allowing dock owners and boaters to confirm their identities of each party.
We encourage our dock owners to provide an emergency contact phone number, however, that is not required.
Being respectful to neighbors is something we strive to do, both on and off the water. Dockshare crew members are encouraged to reinforce the suggestions below to keep everyone happy!
- Post signage if you do not allow smoking.
- Encourage guests to keep noise down if the dock is in an area with close neighbors.
- Remind dock renters that the dock is not a party venue.
- If pets are onboard, encourage the dock renters to pick up after their animals and to dispose of the waste in a trash can.