How to become a Host on Airbnb
Highlights
Prepare your space and create a compelling listing
Control when and how you host
If you’re thinking about hosting but aren’t sure how to attract guests or create a great guest experience, you’re not alone. Becoming a Host on Airbnb is a fun, rewarding way to connect with new people and earn extra money, and it’s normal to have many questions at the start.
Here’s what you need to do to begin hosting.
1. Assess if your space is a good fit
No space is too small or too unique to list on Airbnb! There’s a guest for every space—you just need to set clear expectations by honestly and accurately describing your place’s features, from narrow doorways to rustic staircases.
It’s also important to find out what laws and taxes apply to short-term rentals in your area before you begin hosting. Airbnb can’t provide you with legal guidance or tax advice, but we can help you find info about hosting regulations.2. Get your space ready for guests
“I have a theory that your guests tend to be a reflection of who you are,” says Superhost Jake of Big Bear, California. “You put your personality into your home and that attracts people with similar lifestyles and tastes.”
Do you have an eclectic collection of vintage movie posters? Or a stack of cool art history books? Show them off! Including personal details can help make your listing stand out.
As you’re sprucing up your place, remember to remove clutter and try to provide basic amenities, like toilet paper, soap, and towels, to help create a great experience for your guests. Extra touches, like a local bottle of wine or box of chocolates, can also make guests feel special.3. List your space
It’s completely free to list your space. Airbnb charges a service fee only when a reservation is confirmed. This fee is typically 3% of your booking subtotal, and it helps us cover the costs of running Airbnb, such as 24/7 customer support, Host protections, and more.
We strive to make listing your space simple—you can even set up your listing in just 10 easy steps. We’re always here to help if you have questions, and there are many ways to connect with other Hosts.
“In some markets, you’ll be able to be connected to a Superhost Ambassador like me,” says Superhost Magaly of East Wenatchee, Washington. “We’re here to help make this process as smooth as possible for you.”
As you’re adding your listing details, pay special attention to your photos, because they’re often the first thing guests notice before booking. Some Hosts hire professional photographers, and others use their smartphones to take amazing photos that really capture the details and spirit of their space.4. Decide how you’ll host
You’ll always have full control over when and how you host on Airbnb. Using our calendar and booking settings, you can manually block days that your space is unavailable, choose specific check-in and checkout times, set a minimum or maximum number of nights guests can stay, and more.
“We decided early on that we would have a three-day booking minimum,” says Host Lucy of East Sussex, England. “This means we had less turnover, but it allowed me the time to provide all those extra hosting touches that I really enjoy.”
You can also use your house rules to set expectations for guests and spell out what is—and isn’t—allowed in your space.5. Set your price and get paid
What you charge on Airbnb is completely up to you. When setting your pricing strategy, consider what others in your area charge, the amenities you offer, and the time of year. This can help you find a price that feels right for you and your guests.
Airbnb makes it easy to set up your payout method in the Payments & payouts section of your account. Payout methods include bank transfers or direct deposit, Payoneer debit cards, PayPal, and Western Union, among others, depending on where you’re based.Where to find support and resources
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in your hosting journey. Airbnb supports Hosts in many ways, including:
No matter who you are or what type of place you have, there’s a space for you in the Airbnb community. “What’s neat about Airbnb is that we all have something different to bring to the table,” says Magaly. “So, good luck and happy hosting!”
The Hosts featured in this article and video are not Airbnb employees nor do they work under the direction of Airbnb. As Host Creators, they partnered with Airbnb to share their thoughts and create this video. Any opinions, anecdotal information, or testimonial statements made are truthful, their own, and are not official statements of Airbnb.
Highlights
Prepare your space and create a compelling listing
Control when and how you host