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It started with three blokes, an air mattress and a San Francisco apartment.

That was in 2007 but today, Airbnb has more than five million lodgings scatted across 191 countries. It’s turned out to be possibly the biggest disruptor the holiday rental market has ever seen, allowing people around the globe to turn houses, flats, boats, even former churches, into short-term holiday lets.

The perks are obvious – travellers can usually save money, some homes are nicer or in better locations than hotels and you often get to meet the locals.

But these benefits can come with risks, and we’ve all heard the stories: of turning up to accommodation that doesn’t exist, last minute cancellations, paying through sites that appear to be legit but aren’t, being charged for fake damages and creepy hosts who take a shine to travellers.

If you’re considering booking Airbnb accommodation this holiday season, here’s how to ensure you stay safe, happy and have a great time.

• Know exactly what you’re booking. It might sound obvious but read the listing carefully to ensure it meets your needs. For example, does the listing mention parking, air-conditioning or a noisy street? Does it have a smoking or pets policy? These days, most hosts are pretty transparent about their properties but if you’re unclear, contact them through the site to ask.

And make sure you read the reviews so you’re aware of other visitors’ experiences. Some reviews aren’t terribly helpful (‘the place was clean and the host was nice’), so look for more detailed reviews that hopefully include information that isn’t in the listing.

If possible, pick a listing with lots of positive reviews. And if it sounds too good to be true (a five-bedroom Auckland waterfront mansion, for example, going for $100 a night), then it probably is and should be be reported to Airbnb.

• Check the host’s profile. Airbnb verifies users (both hosts and guests) through a number of channels, including ID, email address and phone number. Always check the host’s profile to make sure they’ve uploaded this information on their profile page.

Another good sign is if a host has Superhost status. That means that they’ve maintained consistently high ratings (4.8+ out of 5) from their guests, completed at least 10 stays in the past year, have a cancellation rate of less than 1% and a 90% response rate to new messages within 24 hours.

• Never pay in cash. Only book with a credit or debit card through the rental company’s website. If a host asks you to pay outside of that or with cash, it’s likely a scam and should be reported to Airbnb immediately.

• Check for hidden extras: Some listings add a cleaning fee and deposit to your payment, while others don’t. Some also provide a free breakfast and/or snacks (always good) or the use of a kitchen where you can prepare your own food, so be clear about that too before you book.

It isn’t all one-way, though. Airbnb guests also have responsibilities. Make sure you’re upfront with hosts about anything that goes against the rules - ie if you’re expecting visitors and what time the noise has to be dialled down. Be communicative and polite, follow the house rules and treat the rental as you would a friend’s home. Because don’t forget, hosts also review guests on the site.

Choose well, treat it well and you should have a fantastic holiday.