Can I Airbnb My Apartment? Here’s What You Should Know
By: ROS Team
One of the best ways to rent out your apartment is to use Airbnb. You can list your space for rent by night, week, or month and make some extra money.
1- What Is Airbnb
2- Can I Rent Out My Apartment On Airbnb
3- How To List Your Apartment On Airbnb
4- FAQs
5- Conclusion
What Is Airbnb?
Air Mattress B&B, more commonly known as Airbnb, is an online guest lodging platform that connects local property owners with travelers who are looking for a place to stay while away from home. The online booking service is currently active in over 100,000 cities in 220 countries.
For hosts, Airbnb provides a method for making money using their houses. However, there is some risk of harm to their guests. Guests may benefit from low-cost lodging, but the house that they rent may not be as lovely as the listing suggests.
Can I Rent Out My Apartment On Airbnb?
You’ve probably heard of Airbnb – the popular online platform that allows people to rent out their homes to travelers from all over the world. But you may be wondering, can I Airbnb my apartment?
The answer is it depends. Before we talk about different ways you can rent your apartment on Airbnb, first, let’s discuss how you can Airbnb your apartment.
You should check into the following:
- Zoning Rules and Regulations
- Lease Restrictions
- Permission from your Landlord
- Health Rules
- State Regulations
- Insurance Rules and Regulations
1. Zoning Rules and Regulations
The first thing you should consider before renting out your apartment on Airbnb is zoning rules and regulations. Zoning Rules are basically government-made laws that govern how land may be used. You can learn more about NYC Zoning here.
Talking about NYC, it is mandatory to register your short-term rental, and you can sublet only if the permanent tenant lives in the apartment.
2. Lease Restrictions
While there is no specific law against Airbnb-ing your apartment, there are several factors to consider before opening up your home to strangers. For one, most apartment leases include a clause prohibiting subleasing, so you’ll need to check with your landlord first.
3. Permission From Your Landlord
Airbnb hosting can be a great way to make some extra money, but it’s important to talk to your landlord ahead of time to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Some landlords may not want their tenants to rent out their apartments on Airbnb, while others may be happy to have the extra income. It’s important to come up with a rental agreement that outlines who is responsible for paying utilities, how long the tenant can host guests and any other details that are important to both parties.
If you’re thinking about hosting on Airbnb, be sure to talk with your landlord first!
4. Health Rules
Following Health Restrictions are in Place for Short Term Rentals in NYC:
- Short-term rentals in NYC must have a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) indicating the maximum allowable occupancy for the rental unit.
- The rental unit must also have a functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
- The rental unit must provide sufficient means of sanitation, including soap, toilet paper, and trash disposal.
- Any swimming pools or hot tubs on the premises must adhere to safety regulations set by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
- Any pets allowed on the premises must be vaccinated and licensed according to NYC laws.
5. State Regulations
NYC State Regulations for Renting Apartments at Airbnb are as Follows:
- In order to rent out an apartment at Airbnb, the host must be present.
- The host cannot rent out an apartment for periods of fewer than 30 days.
- The host can only rent out an apartment to a boarder, roomer, or lodger if they are present.
6. Insurance Rules and Regulations
In addition, you’ll need to make sure that your insurance policy covers any damage that may occur during a guest’s stay. And finally, you’ll want to consider the security implications of having strangers in your home.
If you’re comfortable with all of these risks, then Airbnb-ing your apartment could be a great way to earn some extra cash. Just remember to be safe and clear about the rules with your landlord before taking the plunge.
How To List Your Apartment On Airbnb
Once you’re approved for listing your apartment on the Airbnb site, it’s time to post your unit online so you can start earning extra money. Fortunately, the Airbnb site is user-friendly, so creating a post is fast and easy.
1) Create An Inviting Listing
Your listing is your apartment’s first impression on guests. You want to make sure it looks great so that potential guests will want to stay there. Here are a few tips:
- Use high-quality photos that show off your apartment in its best light
- Write a detailed yet concise, description of your space
- Highlight any unique features or amenities that your guests will enjoy
2) Set A Competitive Price
You’ll want to set a price that is competitive with similar listings in your area. Take a look at what similar apartments are going for and price yours accordingly. Remember, you can always adjust your price if you find that you’re not getting any bookings.
3) Choose The Right Rental Period
Think about how long you want to rent out your apartment. If you’re only looking to rent it out for a short period of time, then you can set a daily or weekly price. However, if you’re looking to rent it out for longer periods of time, then you might want to consider setting a monthly price.
4) List All Local Attractions and Activities
You should list all nearby attractions and activities while listing your apartment on Airbnb. This will help guests find information about what to do in the area, and it can also help them decide if your apartment is the right fit for their trip.
5) Set House Rules
Before guests start booking your place, be sure to set some house rules. This will help manage expectations and ensure that both you and your guests have a great experience.
Some common house rules include:
- No smoking
- No pets
- Quiet hours
- Check-in/check-out times
6) Promote Your Listing
Once you’ve created your listing, it’s time to start promoting it. There are a number of ways to do this:
- Share it on social media
- Reach out to your personal network
- Submit it to relevant websites and forums
FAQs
Is Airbnb Legal In New York City?
Yes, Airbnb is legal in New York City. The company has been working closely with the city to ensure its services comply with local laws and regulations.
How Much Of A Cut Does Airbnb Take When You Rent Your Apartment?
Airbnb typically charges hosts a commission of 6-12% on bookings, depending on the location of the listing.
For example, if you list a property for $100/night and someone books it for $120/night, Airbnb will charge you a commission of $7.20 ($120 – $100 x 12%).
How Much Do Airbnb Hosts Make?
It really depends on the location and the size of the property. In general, though, Airbnb hosts can make a lot of money. For example, a host in New York City can make as much as $7,000 per month by renting out a three-bedroom property. And a host in Los Angeles can make as much as $4,500 per month.
Is Owning An Airbnb Profitable?
In general, owning an Airbnb can be a good way to make some extra money on the side or even turn it into a full-time business. But it’s important to remember that there are always risks involved, so do your research before getting started.
What Type Of Airbnb Makes The Most Money?
The type of Airbnb that makes the most money is a furnished one-bedroom apartment in a major city.
According to data from Priceonomics, the average price for a furnished one-bedroom apartment in a major city is $174 per night. And as of July 2017, there are over 550,000 listings for furnished one-bedroom apartments on Airbnb.
This means that there is a lot of competition among hosts for this type of listing, which drives prices down and results in lower profit margins.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking of “Can I Airbnb my apartment,” there are a few things you should know. Firstly, make sure that your lease agreement allows for short-term rentals, and be prepared to pay taxes on the income you earn from hosting guests.
Secondly, take some time to spruce up your place and make it look as appealing as possible; after all, you want your guests to have a good experience! Finally, get ready to welcome people into your home and share your city or town with them. Have you listed your apartment on Airbnb? What tips would you add?