What property type do I have?

[Jared2]

I am looking to set up a new property listing however I am unsure if it would be considered a private room or an entire place. The space would include a bed, couch, television, small eating table, private bathroom, private entrance, etc. which all sounds like an "entire place" listing to me. However, it would not have a 'typical' kitchen. It would have a food preparation area (counter top), mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, hot plate, pots/pans, dishes, cups, and silverware. Should I add a sink in the kitchen area or would a Hot/Cold water dispencer work just fine? There is a laundry facility for the guest to use but also for everyone in the home to use as well. My goal is to make this an "entire home" listing because in my experience I feel most guests enjoy their privacy. What does the community think? I'm open to suggestions!

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Hi @Jared2

You have an entire place there.  As long as they are only sharing the laundry, I would list it as an "Entire home/apt".

If you are going to include pots/pans and dishes, I would also add a sink as they would need a place to wash their dishes.  I don't think a hot/cold water dispensor would cut it.

I hope this helps Jared!

Dave

[Curt0]

Hi,

List as "entire place" but be really clear in your description that you live in a portion of the house, yet your guests have privacy.  Acutally  your wording is really good.  I would not make any alterations to your house necessarily that change it from a single family home.   Also suggest you view online the zoning ordinances for Morgantown for short term rentals to make sure you are good with your type of property.  Regards,  Curt

Listing entire place got me in trouble with local officials here in Michigan as they considered that I actually rented the entire house which we did not and that changed taxes to my detriment although I will win on apeal based on Michigan law but it takes time.  The local officials just saw that I apparently was renting out my entire house (they did not look at the actual description that we only rented the 2nd floor) and that got us in a legal dispute (still unresolved) with our local assessor.  Airbnb needs another classification such as "semi or private area of the house".

[Dave-and-Deb0]

@Curt0,

I wish they would add "basement suite" as an option as it is very common.

Dave

[Curt0]

Yes or "upper living area".    For our listing for example we offer our whole upstairs,  2 bedrooms, one full bath, and an entertainment area with a 55 inch HDTV for almost full privacy.  But our guests still use our front door and then can hit the stairs for their totally private area.  Our bedroom is on the main floor.   We have had so many great guests that have liked this arrangement.  Upstairs we have a mini fridge stocked with a locally produced Reisling, fresh fruit, cheese, water , toaster, and a Kuering coffee maker.  But as you noted Airbnb does not have a classification for our types of arrangements which they should.   Regards,   Curt

[Jared2]

Curt and Dave, thanks for your replies! I agree in that Airbnb should revise/add some of their listing types

[Isabelle3]

Absolutely Dave, I have asked AirBnB many times to create a new category

[Kelly3]

@Jared2

I would say that is an entire home listing especially with a private entrance. 

Kitchen is actually in the amenity section, so you can definitly have entire home listing without a kitchen.

As you have something like a semi-kitchen, which is more than enough for most people except who is looking specifically for a full kitchen. If I were you, I would list as entire home, but won't mark the kitchen - yes, you have a kitchen, but probably not enough for people who cares enough for a kitchen as one of the amenities.

I don't know how easy it is for you to add a sink in your kitchen - if it is not easy, I would just remove hot plate/pan/pot. 

I personally don't think Airbnb should add more listing types - they already have a lot of 'property type', so if you list 'entire home' with 'house' as your property type, people should get the hint (I know many guests won't know - so it is Airbnb's part to explain this to guests).