Transform your house into an Airbnb

September 2024

Why buy a holiday rental when you can use an existing property? If you’d like to turn your house or flat into a holiday home, you might well be able to start a profitable venture. Here’s what you need to know.

Airbnb my place: start with a plan

Of course, it’s never as simple as just slapping some photos up on a holiday rental portal and hoping for the best. Firstly, there’s planning to be done. Think about what you’re going to do. Do you plan to rent out your home while you’re away, or are you using a holiday home or another property you own? Will you be making it available all year round or only during certain times?

If you’re renting out your own home while you’re away, consider the impact it will have on you. You’ll need to make sure it’s in perfect, professional rental condition when you’re not there, which might be stressful.

When the Airbnb holiday rental website first started, it was aimed at people who wanted to rent out their spare rooms. Today, the majority of hosts offer full flats or houses, but some still only rent part of their property, keeping the rest for their own use. This may not be as profitable, but it can be a less demanding option.

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Check the local regulations

You really don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law, so before you go to Airbnb and register your property, make sure you have permission from your local council.

In recent years, many municipalities have tightened the laws about holiday rentals. Start by researching online to check what the local restrictions are. If you can’t find a clear answer, it’s also worth going to your city hall to check in person. Keep in mind that this is something you’ll need to stay on top of continuously, particularly if you live in a popular holiday destination. In some cities, the regulations change all the time, and if you get caught out, you could face a large fine.

Besides regulations and limitations, which may include, for example, only being able to rent out your property for a certain number of days per year, you’ll also need to check safety requirements. Depending on where the property is located, these can vary quite a bit. Make sure that your house or flat is fully compliant before listing it on Airbnb.

Prepare your property

Now it’s time to think about how to put your property on Airbnb, but first, make sure it’s ready. Guests like to have the feeling that they’re staying in a hotel, and that means you’ll need to remove anything too personal. Family photos and any personal items on display should be tucked away out of sight. If you have unusual taste in decor, you might want to swap it for something a little more traditional. For instance, you might love your Real Madrid duvet cover, but is it really what guests want to see on a romantic getaway?

There’s something else you should consider before you advertise your holiday home, too. It’s not pleasant to think about, but some items do have a tendency to “go missing” from Airbnbs —or to mysteriously get broken. If you have valuable electronic devices or expensive kitchenware, think about whether you want to let guests use them or not. On one hand, they can make for a more comfortable experience, while on the other, replacing and repairing items can be costly for you as a host.

Get the perfect photos

Now that your property has been scrubbed of all personal effects, it’s time to get ready to register as a host on Airbnb. First things first, you’ll need some great pictures. It’s essential that you do this after you’ve prepared your property by removing the personal items. In a good holiday home, what you see should be precisely what you get. Guests are likely to complain otherwise.

It’s also a good idea to contact a local cleaning company before you take listing photos. You might think you can handle Airbnb cleaning yourself, but to be honest, it’s a tedious job that is easily outsourced. Make sure your property is as clean and tidy as possible in the photos, and then ensure your home is in that same condition whenever a new set of guests arrives.

If you’re not sure what kind of photos will show off your property at its best, then it’s worth looking through other listings to get an idea. Make sure to highlight any special features, such as a hot tub or patio, and try to get as much natural light as possible.

How to put a property on Airbnb

It’s finally time! You’ve been searching “how to rent my holiday home”, and now you’re ready to post your listing. The crucial point here is creating an appealing listing. After all, there’s lots of competition on Airbnb, and when first starting out, you’ll have no reviews to attract guests. Instead, you’ll have to make sure that your listing stands out from the crowd.

Take a look at the other listing titles for properties in your area. Chances are, they’ll be a bit more creative than just “rent a holiday apartment” or something similar. Instead, you’ll need to craft a short, punchy tagline that will encourage people to click on your page. Make sure your potential guests know right away what makes your property special.

You’ll also want to ensure you have a thorough description. It must be clear and easy to read. Without being too wordy, it should provide guests with all the information they need about your property. Be warned, though. Even if you craft the perfect description, you’ll still have some guests contacting you to ask questions that are already answered on your page! Just smile, grit your teeth, and be polite.

A good listing, title and description, together with those great photos you’ve already taken, should be enough to start attracting guests. You’ll also want to check prices in the area. When you’re just starting out, it can be tempting to lower prices. Keep in mind, though, that guests may have less respect for a bargain property and may even assume there’s something wrong with your home.

After following these tips, you should be ready to start your Airbnb business. Good luck, and get ready for an adventure ahead!

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