This Is How You Rent Your Place on Airbnb — and Succeed

Advertiser Disclosure ▾

This page contains affiliate links from which we receive a compensation. Like many publications Wise Bread is supported by affiliate commission from partner companies whose products appear on our site. This may influence which products we write about and the location and order in which products appear. We aren't able to cover every product in the marketplace.

Wise Bread Picks

• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Almost immediately after moving to New York City I had the brilliant idea to rent out our guest bedroom to tourists. My now-husband and I had a two-bedroom apartment, and we decided on getting the extra space so we could accommodate out-of-town friends and family that we were sure would visit all the time — except they didn't, and that empty room quickly turned into something that we were paying for but didn't necessarily need. (See also: How Much House Do You Really Need?)

Until the light bulb went off, that is. I knew there had to be a market out there for people like me who enjoyed spending their travel dollars on fun things like eating out and exciting activities instead of wrapping all that cash up in expensive hotels. I was right. As soon as I listed our apartment on Craigslist, I started to receive inquiries that quickly turned into bookings. This was all pre-Airbnb and other micro-subletting (the fancy word for short-term rental) sites. (By the way, I don't recommend using Craigslist for micro-subletting nowadays.) Nonetheless, we started pulling in a good amount of money from the get-go, and it only increased when we started listing on the micro-subletting sites once they were introduced.

I won't divulge exactly how much money we've made doing this, but I will tell you that as a direct result we now own a condo in Manhattan and a shore house in New Jersey. (See also: 9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash)

You can find success in micro-subletting, too. Granted, it's much easier to fill our space in New York City than other places, but you might be surprised at the number of inquiries you might receive where you live.

If you haven't thought about micro-subletting before, start. If you've been hesitant to try it, take a chance. This is a very easy and honest way to supplement your income and perhaps even save more money than you thought possible — and it's using what you already have.

We've been renting out our home for nearly six years now; I'm considered a "Super Host" on the Airbnb website. We've hosted hundreds of people from all over the world, and we have more than 150 positive reviews about our accommodations and hosting style. Thus, I consider myself an expert in this field, and I'm happy to divulge my tips, tricks, and advice so you can be successful at micro-subletting, too. Take a look.

1. Make Your Listing Stand Out From the Crowd

The number one reason that people choose to stay with us over other hosts — in my opinion, at least — is the description we've provided of ourselves and the accommodations in our listing. I know this because many times the potential guest reaching out for the first time specifically mentions something positive about the description. There's a reason for that. I took the time to write a description that was charismatic, conversational, humorous, and detailed. I wanted to capture the strangers' attention enough so they'd want to be our friends in just a few paragraphs. Whereas other listings are straightforward and to the point (and, frankly, boring), ours draws the potential guest in and makes them feel at home and comfortable instantly — and that's exactly what you want if you're choosing to stay in the home of someone you've never met before.

2. Increase Your Success With Lots of Amenities

Another reason we receive more bookings than a lot of listings in our area is because we offer great amenities. In the private guest bedroom, there's a mini fridge, flat screen TV with HD cable, DVD player, iron and ironing board, and lots of books and maps of the city. Our guests also have full use of our home while they're here, whether it's cooking their meals, hopping on the computer to print tickets or vouchers, playing our video game system or board games, washing and drying clothes, or borrowing a book or DVD. And it's all included in their stay. Also included is free coffee, tea, and cereal. Our guests get a lot of bang for their buck, and these amenities are our way of giving that extra value that other listings are not.

3. Respond to Inquiries Quickly and Politely

I respond to my inquiries within minutes usually — thanks to the micro-subletting services' mobile apps — and I never let them go for more than a few hours. Not responding promptly to inquiries gives the potential guest time to browse other listings, and I don't want that. I want to be the first and the best so the choice is easy for them. My response time is largely what keeps us booked consistently throughout the year.

The way you respond also plays a part in potential guest's decision on where to stay. Be polite and charming, and you've won them over. Be curt and short, and you'll lose them. (See also: 25 Ways to Communicate Better)

4. Vet Your Potential Guests Thoroughly

The way a guest reaches out to me initially impacts whether or not I'll accept their reservation request. I consider myself a very good judge of character — even online — so if they don't offer up details about themselves, where they're coming from, and what the purpose of their visit is, I'll inquire. If they continue to be standoffish, it's probably a good sign that I don't want this guest in my home.

However, going back to my listing, it's written in a way that invites the potential guests to provide information and details about themselves, so I rarely have to dig for more. Also, Airbnb in particular has verifications for members, including Facebook, Twitter, phone numbers, and more. If the potential guest isn't verified on social media, I generally won't accept the request.

5. Never Accept Locals Under Any Circumstance

I can't stress this point enough. The only guests you should accept are travelers from out of town. Why? Because locals who want to stay with you often come with baggage — and not just the kind they're carrying in their hands. They've broken up with their significant other; they were evicted; or they're planning something far more nefarious, like making copies of your keys during their stay, then robbing you blind while you're not home a few weeks later. Trust me, it happens.

Locals also may be difficult to get out, problems that arise could annoy your neighbors, and you're putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation with someone nearby who now knows where you live. Feeling unsafe in your own home is not a feeling you want, especially when you could have avoided it. Do not accept locals under any circumstance.

6. Keep Your Calendar Up to Date Online and Offline

A big part of this business — and I do consider it a business — is maintaining the reservation calendar online and offline. The micro-subletting sites keep track of your reserved dates for you in an easy-to-access manner, but I also put all reservations on the calendar on my phone, so I can see what's happening at a glance and what I need to do to prepare in advance.

Failing to keep you calendar organized will result in double bookings eventually, especially if you're using multiple micro-subletting sites. That would be a nightmare for you, and it's not pleasant for the guest either. Can you imagine being told you have nowhere to stay when you arrive at your vacation destination because the host couldn't keep track? You'd be very upset, and your potential guests will, too.

7. Provide Exactly What Is Offered in Your Listing

If you're listing certain amenities that appeal to potential guests, it's imperative that you provide them during their stay. These included items and services are likely part of the reason why they choose you over many other available listings, and it's your duty to be the best host you can be. The downside to not offering what you're advertising in your listing is that the guests may leave you a poor review, and that could turn future guests away when they browse the reviews on your profile.

8. Research Comparable Listings in Your Area

When setting the nightly fee for your listing, research other properties in your area. I live in Manhattan, so I did a search for properties within a 10-block radius in all directions, found the listings that closely resembled my own, and made an informed decision on what fee to set the listing — which is directly related to my next point.

9. Undercut the Competition to Increase Bookings

As I've detailed, the engaging description on my listing along with the amenities offered, the photos, and the reviews, play a large part in a potential guest's decision to stay in my home. Just as large a part, however, is the nightly fee they're paying for what they're getting.

They want a great place to stay, and they want to save while they're at it.

From day one, I've been very savvy about the nightly fee: I simply undercut the competition so I can appeal to more people. Oldest trick in the book, sure, but it amazes me how many people in my area are asking for nightly fees that exceed what they're offering, and their calendars are perpetually empty as a result. Because of our marketing savvy, we're booked most nights from the beginning of April to the end of the year. The winter is a bit slow for business, so as a further tactic during these months I generally lower the nightly fee about 10%, making my listing even more appealing. I'm also more open to longer-term stays in the first three months of the year than I would be the rest of the year. The big money comes in turning over guests every three to five days. More work, of course, but more money, too.

10. Provide an Experience Your Guests Will Remember — and Refer

If you've decided to be a host, it's your responsibility to provide your paying guests with topnotch hospitality. They won't expect you to make them meals (unless you're offering that in your listing; some hosts do), but they will expect the house and especially their bedroom to be clean, for you to provide local intel, and to just generally be nice and approachable. After all, nobody wants to stay in a strange place in which they feel uncomfortable. Commit yourself to consistently great hospitality, and you'll receive the positive reviews you need to procure more and more bookings — and you also may be referred by that guest to their own friends and family. Past guests have referred our listing many times, and we view that as a testament to the service and accommodations we've provided. (See also: How to Be the Host With the Most)

11. Ask Your Guests for Constructive Criticism on How You Can Be a Better Host

I'm always trying to improve what we're offering to guests so often I'll ask for feedback on certain things. Was the bed comfortable enough? Are more pillows needed? Did you enjoy the coffee? This not only shows that you genuinely care about the guests that you're hosting, but it will help you improve your hospitality skills. This also is a good way to let the guests tell you what was wrong in person — if anything — which may prevent them from leaving a poor review on your listing after the fact. (See also: How to Get and Give Honest Feedback)

12. Prepare for Taxes, Because You Have to Pay Them

Now for the bad news. You have to pay taxes on every dollar you make from micro-subletting. All of the micro-subletting sites with which you're listed and making money will send you 1099s at the beginning of the year. This is an important detail to remember because it's very easy to spend that additional income without considering the tax repercussions. You definitely don't want to find yourself in a situation where you owe $8K and you don't have the money in the bank. My suggestion to handle this situation wisely is to put 50% of every booking in your savings account (or more if you'd like), and spend a small portion smartly. By saving and spending our micro-subletting income smartly, we were able to turn one home into two, which means that now we have the means to double the income we were making before. Not a bad deal at all — and you can do it, too.

Have questions or advice to add about micro-subletting? Let me know in the comments below.

Like this article? Pin it!