You Can Now Book a Stay at the Byers House from Stranger Things… But Do You Know the Risks?

The famous Hawkins home of the Byers family - played by Winona Ryder, Noah Schnapp, and Charlie Heaton - has been transformed into a "Stranger Things" rental available now on Airbnb. The Byers House is a fan-driven project owned by the modern real estate investing platform, Arrived. 

With hazards ranging from flickering wall-mounted lighting to tendrils from the Upside Down to Demogorgons and beyond - guests are wise to be prepared for the unexpected, as should be the property owners. 

At Steadily, one of America’s best-rated landlord insurance services, we dove into the Byers House in detail to uncover the full range of potential hazards that may cause costly scares and the average cost to insure a rental property like this one. 

Flickering lighting

We thought the Christmas light alphabet was a brilliant move, but unfortunately for many insurers, flickering lights can be a sign of a more serious underlying issue with electrical wiring and could present a dangerous fire hazard. Particularly if the flickering increases or changes in any way - say, for example, spelling entire words. If you experience lights flickering in your own home, you should consider calling an electrician for an inspection just to be safe. 

💡 Tip: Installing protective devices, like fire alarms and electrical monitoring systems, could earn you discounts with your insurance provider. 

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Overgrown tendrils

Overgrown tree roots or tendrils growing from an alternate dimension can pose structural damage to the foundation of your property and the integrity of your walls and roof. Beyond foundation damage, roots can grow into pipes and sewer lines in search of water, causing blockages and bursts. Signs of tree roots growing through a house include: Cracks in the foundation, uneven floors, doors that won’t close properly, slow-draining sinks, and blocked pipes. 

‍💡 Tip: A physical barrier, like plastic or metal sheets, can prevent roots from growing toward the foundation. Chemical barriers can also be used to deter root growth.

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Tree obstructions

In the event of heavy winds, or Mind Flayers streaking through a lighting sky, branches from trees or other debris may cause roof damage. Heavy branches can scrape against the roof, wearing away the shingles and exposing the underlayment. This can lead to water damage and rot. Leaves and needles can clog your gutters and valleys, and the water accumulated in your gutters can be forced under the edge of your roof if runoff from your roof cannot be safely carried away. This can damage the roof deck and underlayment, and it can also cause a leak inside the wall or in your home's interior.

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‍💡 Tip: Trim branches that overhang your roof and install gutter guards to prevent debris buildup.

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BMX bikes

Airbnb's insurance coverage does not extend beyond the property line, so it does not cover bicycles or BMX used off-property during excursions into Hawkins. This includes any bodily injuries that may occur when a using an amenity like a bicycle off-premises. Fear not, Hawkins Squad, Steadily covers most off-premises liability for short-term rentals for guests who take bikes beyond the property line. 

Demagorgons (and other wildlife)

The unexpected presence of wildlife - like Demagorgons - can pose a liability risk to the health and safety of guests, property managers, and perhaps even the overall survival of the human race. Rental property owners may choose to have liability coverage in excess of $1 million and Medical Payments coverage of $25,000 per person/per occurrence limit to at least minimize the financial risk of these creatures. 

Unsecured entrance to the Upside Down

While the Byers House doesn’t have a pool on-site, we’d be remiss not to mention the infamous season one scene with Barb and a potential way she could have avoided being sucked into the Upside Down. When renting out your home, many insurers – and city ordinances – require pools to be enclosed by a fence and locking gate. Take a minute to review your landlord insurance with a licensed insurance agent to make sure you're fully covered if you have a pool. 

‍So, how much would it cost to insure the Byers House? ‍

Assuming an average insurance score, the total annual premium estimate for the Byers property is $2,270 or $189/mo. Not too shabby for a multi-dimensional portal if you ask us.

Is that premium higher or lower than the typical rental property?

The annual insurance premium is ~17-24% higher than the average nearby property due to a slightly higher Coverage A/Dwelling Limit and older year built. You could modify coverages and consider a higher deductible to find additional cost savings.

Whether renting a property in Hawkins or beyond, Steadily has you covered for the unexpected. Get a quote today to see how much you can save on insurance.

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Disclaimer: Damage or injury caused due to other dimensional beings is not covered under Steadily's landlord insurance policy. While Steadily insures rental properties nationwide, we are not yet serving the market of properties in the Upside Down... though it is on our future roadmap.