Starting as a new host on Airbnb

Starting as a new host on Airbnb

Hello people,

 

I want to list my property in Lucknow, India on Airbnb and need some guidance. 

My property details are as follows- it's a 2 BHK house on the 4th floor, park facing  (service lift is available) in a prime location in Gomtinagar, Lucknow. I have been renting it out on LTR and want to now list it on Airbnb. I plan to renovate and furnish the house before listing. 

I have a couple of questions and it would be great if someone can help me. Preferably someone who hosts in Lucknow as they would be more aware of the nuances of hosting in the city. But of course, please feel free to leave a comment that you think will be helpful to me in this new journey. 

1. What are the legal requirements for listing properties on the platform? It's an independent building with no registered welfare society as such. 

2. Is there a way to conduct market research on occupancy of Bnb's in Lucknow?  

3. Any tips on hosting?, do's and don'ts that I should look follow? any pitfalls to look for? All suggestions are welcomed.

 

I have been thinking about becoming a host for a long time and now that I finally have the time to do it, I want to make sure that I do it right. Of course there will be lessons to learn along the way, but getting some guidance from this community will surely help. 

 

Thanks so much!

Aafreen 

 

19 Replies 19
Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

1. You can check on your local government website for any STR requirements in your area

 

2. you can use websites like Airdna and check on the Airbnb website to see what others are charging for comparable properties 

 

3. look at the useful community guides on this community and the Airbnb Help website

 

@Aafreen2 

Luz688
Level 6
North Bellmore, NY

Hi @Aafreen2 ,

 

Congratulations! So I am not familiar with the market in India, but what I will tell you,  is your description of your property is key.  Here are tips  I received on this platform-- 1. target your specific guest-are they couples, family, business travelers?  2. highlight nearby dining, shopping local beaches, etc 3. highlight  sightseeing activities, 4. highlight special services you may offer, for example travel to and from airport, 5. highlight special amenities-- pool, hot tub, sauna, gym, washer and dryer, etc. Be as descriptive as possible always using the maximum amount of characters allowed. I used ChatGPT to help me write my description. Caution- when using ChatGPT, always review your work for accuracy.

 

Best regards,

Luz

Thank you for replying @Luz688 . This is very helpful. I will definitely do this.

Take care!

 

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Welcome to the Community Center @Aafreen2! I can see that other members have shared some great tips! I was able to find an article in our Help Center about Responsible Hosting in India 🙂 It also mentions that you can connect with a local Host Club in your area to get tips and advice. What’s the one thing you’re most excited (or nervous) about as you start hosting? 
 

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Thank you @Quincy . This is very helpful. I did read the article and tried connecting with a local host but seemed like no one was available. I have also raised a request to join the Uttar Pradesh Airbnb Host community on facebook. My request is still pending. I am trying to connect with a local host to get some advice on my listing. 

The one thing I am most excited about is starting my own business. I recently left my corporate job because it was draining me mentally. I always thought about getting into the hospitality sector and hosting an airbnb seems like the perfect starting point to learn the ropes of the business. Also, I love making homes pretty and cosy and I am very excited to start the renovation work at my place to make it a beatiful space that guests would love to stay at. 

One thing I am nervous about is going overboard, as I do with other things in life! I will definately take @Ryan4241 's advice and try to strike a balance.

Ryan4241
Level 9
Ballingslöv, Sweden

Hey @Aafreen2, congrats on taking the leap into hosting! Your place in Gomtinagar sounds like it has great potential. A couple of things that might help from my own experience:

On the legal side, most hosts here just make sure they’re paying the right taxes and keep the local authorities informed — especially the police station. Since it’s an independent building, you probably won’t run into society-related issues. Still, worth double-checking with someone local who knows the rules well.

For market research, the easiest way is honestly to browse other listings in your area — see their calendars, reviews, and pricing. You’ll get a feel for demand. There are paid tools like AirDNA, but just comparing what’s already out there can give you a good head start.

Hosting-wise, guests usually care most about cleanliness, comfort, and WiFi. A comfy bed, good photos, and a few thoughtful touches (like tea/coffee, drinking water, toiletries) go a long way. I’d also say be clear in your listing about what you offer so expectations are set. Biggest pitfall in the beginning is underpricing or overpromising, so try to strike a balance.

It’s a learning curve for all of us, but with your location and a nicely set-up home, you should do really well. Best of luck — excited for you to get started!

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Hi there @Ryan4241! I've added a tag with @Aafreen2's name to your comment. To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu. This way, they will receive a notification 😊

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Thank you Quincy, Noted

 

Thank you for your reply @Ryan4241 . I checked with someone who works for airbnb in India and they said there I dont need to inform local authorities about my STR. So, that's one things less for me to worry about. 

As you suggested, I will check the listings in my area to get a feel of the demand. 

I agree with you about the thoughtful touches and good photos. Will definitely keep it in mind when I start hosting. 

Do you have thoughts on pet friendly stays? Is it a good idea to allow pets. India is not very friendly. We have very few places that allow pets. 

 

Ruth190
Level 2
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Congrats on getting started!  Asking for help is a great start @Aafreen2!

 

Do’s and Don’ts:  

Be sure to research other similar AirBNBs to get a feel for pricing, amenities, etc. in your area. 

 

Update your listing to keep it fresh and consistent with seasonal and other market changes.  Note that the AirBNB algorithm seems to like frequent updates to calendars, listing details etc.  Don’t ever stop learning about your target audience and market trends and updating accordingly . 

Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the overall experience along the way! 

 

Hi there @Aafreen2,

 

Use the salient features of the platform to save you time and improve the experience.

 

Things like auto-messages, photo tours, promotions.

 

Wifi Password Automations

 

Integrate calendars

- Especially given you are managing on multiple booking sites.

 

Not sure if you offer 'experiences' as optional extras, but we are starting to use that for 'excursions' - 'pamper parties' - extra cleaning services - the platform gives you a lot of automation to help manage those things.

 

Make sure you use AirBnb's automated 'auto-arrange' photos. Makes a huge difference to how things stand out.

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Hi @Rafael2252! Thanks for your response for Aafreen! Just so you know, I've added a tag with @Aafreen2's name to your comment. To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu. This way, they will receive a notification 😊

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Thank you @Rafael2252. Wow thats a lot of great stuff that you mention. Once I start listing, I will be sure to make use of the automations. Initially, I will just be listing my place on airbnb and then move on to list it other platforms. 

Some very helpful tips. Thank you so much! 

question- what are your thoughts on pet friendly airbnbs?

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Hello @Ruth190! Just wanted to let you know I've added a tag with @Aafreen2's name to your comment. To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu. This way, they will receive a notification 😊

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