host

host

hi ,kalau nak jadi host apartment macam mana ye 

 

_______________________________________________________________________
 
Google Translation added by Community Manager:  

 

Hi, how do I become an apartment host?

15 Replies 15

It depends on the country. For instance in Greec you need to declare your house at the IRS system before starting. Then you go to the Airbnb platform and create an account to add your place 

Vincenzo695
Level 2
Damascus, Syria

Hi Nadia,

Here are a few tips from my own experience:

  • Get your apartment ready – Make sure it’s comfortable, clean and fully equipped. Check that everything complies with local rules (like safety and guest registration). Think about what makes your place special — that’s your selling point!

  • Decide what kind of people you’d like to host- Add personal touches that reflect your own style or interests — that way, you’ll attract guests who’ll really appreciate your place.

  • Take great photos – Presentation is everything. Good pictures can make all the difference in showing off your apartment’s charm and amenities.

  • Write an honest, appealing description – Keep it warm and inviting, and don’t forget to set clear prices and house rules.

  • Check your local market – Look at what others offer nearby, compare prices, and see what services are missing that you could provide.

  • Start hosting and enjoy the learning process – Once your listing is live, guests can start booking. Try to learn from every guest what is working and what can be done better, what you can add and enjoy the hosting process. 

Hi Nadia,

first of all, learn how to comply with the rental laws of your country. After that, if you are in need to list your property just ask and we'll try to help you.

Cheers,

Sabrina

Silvery0
Level 1
Mumbai, India

Namastay from India 🙏 😊 

So first you makeup ur mind and ready for any challenge as you are going to meet each time different human being but you should be at your pace and with you principles. Technically just create a comfortable space including right sleeping arrangement basic amenities and set of house rules or u can connect with me directly if u looking for cohost for startup .  Good luck and feel free to ask questions if u need more clarity or help.  Thanks 

Hello Nadia, good question ! I am not sure if you have a property that you want to Host ? or you want to become a Host for owners on Airbnb? There is a difference and I will tell you why. If you own a property and you want to list it on Airbnb and you will be your own Host, then you need to register the property on the platforms and register with the area municipality ( In Cannes, you register at the Mairie for Taxe de Sejour).  And make sure you have a bank account to share with Airbnb for payment transfers. Once you do that you're good to go.

If you don't have a property to list and you want to become a Host, check your areas for listings and reach out to people who are looking for Hosts. Once done, you need to create an attractive listing ( good photos, good location, competitve prices etc). Being a good Host is time consuming and you have to be ready for that. It's almost a 24 hr job, you need to respond to inquiries and bookings , check in guests, prepare the apartment (cleaning, refills etc), following up on your guests . The main purpose is always to ensure guests safety and satisfaction. I hope this is helpful and good luck!

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Hi there @Nadia1469! It's lovely to hear that you're looking on how to start out as an Airbnb host! Have you seen all the helpful comments by any chance? 😊 

-----

 

Please follow the Community Guidelines // Volg de communityrichtlijnen

Sonja561
Level 2
Karlovac, Croatia

Hi!

Becoming a successful host takes time and knowledge. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the legal obligations in your country, but that's just the beginning. To attract guests, you need appealing photos—preferably taken by a professional—and a clear understanding of what your property (apartment or house) offers. Determine what sets you apart from others in the market and build a compelling story around it. This could be related to your unique offerings, the location, or the natural surroundings. When preparing your listing, it's not enough to passively wait for guests to discover your offer. You need to ensure the algorithm works in your favor. This means actively engaging by updating photos, tweaking your headline, and responding promptly to inquiries. Be accurate and maintain communication with your guests both before their arrival and during check-out. Guests appreciate seeing their host but generally prefer not to have them hovering around constantly. At check-out, ask your guests for their impressions and how satisfied they were. Solicit their feedback, even if you don't plan to implement all of their suggestions. This is important because you need positive reviews, and the more you receive, the quicker your bookings will increase. I also want to emphasize the importance of developing a thick skin regarding feedback. Not every review will be positive, even if you treat your guests kindly. Occasionally, you may receive harsh comments or low ratings that don't accurately reflect your property or you. It's essential to have the resilience to move past these challenges and continue improving.

Hi Nadia , Here are a few tips from my own experience:

  • Get your apartment ready – Make sure it’s comfortable, clean and fully equipped like kitchen stuff  and other items like sheets towels ,etc. Decide if you are going to provide a fully equipped apartment for out of town travelers with hotel like amenities or just for locals who can bring their own towels and sheets . Check that everything complies with local rules (like safety and guest registration and rental rules). 

  • Take great photos –Good pictures can make all the difference in showing off your apartment’s charm and amenities. also location . 

  • Write an honest, appealing description – Keep it warm and inviting, and don’t forget to set clear prices and house rules.

  • Check your local market – Look at what others offer nearby, compare prices, and see what services are missing that you could provide. You may want to go with a lower rate and less minimum nights  than near by locations to start with .. also decide how often you want to clean and that will determine how many nights minimum  you want to set 

  • Start hosting and enjoy the learning process – setup your listing . Once your listing is live, guests can start booking. Try to learn from every guest what is working and what can be done better, what you can add and enjoy the hosting process. The review process works well to help you do this. 

Pilar631
Level 5
Oregon House, CA

Hi Nadia,
How exciting that you’re considering listing your property on Airbnb! Before you get started, here are some important questions to help you evaluate your options and prepare for success:
1. Property Details
• What type of property will you be offering (apartment, house, studio, etc.)?
• In which district or type of neighborhood is it located?
• How large is the space, and what guest capacity makes sense?
• Is it suitable for families, older adults, people with disabilities, solo travelers, or couples?
2. Location and Surroundings
• Is the neighborhood in a tourist-friendly area?
• Is it close to clinics, hospitals, universities, or business centers?
• How quiet or busy is the surrounding area?
• How close are restaurants, banks, beauty salons, gyms, supermarkets, and public transportation?
3. Management and Hosting Commitment
• Do you have the time to respond to guest inquiries, handle check-ins, and address maintenance needs?
• Can you manage cleaning between stays, or would you hire help?
4. Legal and Building Requirements
• Are you familiar with local rental laws, tax requirements, and regulations for short-term or tourist accommodations?
• Are there any building or homeowners’ association rules you must follow?
Answering these questions will give you a clearer picture of your rental’s potential, the type of guests you can attract, and whether you’ll manage it yourself, work with a co-host, or hire a property management company.
Defining your target guest early on is key—your decoration style, amenities, and listing content will depend largely on who you want to attract.

Hi Nadia,

 

In the U.S.:

 

Verify local laws and zoning/Check your city or county’s short-term rental ordinances first.

   •   Some cities (like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco) have strict limits or outright bans on short-term rentals.
   •   You may need a Short-Term Rental (STR) permit or business license.
   •   Look up your city’s website or call the Planning/Zoning Department to confirm what’s allowed.

 

Register your business and taxes
   •   Register your hosting activity with your state’s Department of Revenue if you’ll collect sales or lodging taxes.
   •   In most states, Airbnb will automatically collect and remit occupancy taxes, but check if you must also file local lodging or transient occupancy taxes separately.
   •   If you earn over a certain amount, you will receive a Form 1099-K for your federal taxes; you must report that income to the IRS.

 

If you rent (not own)

  • Ask your landlord’s permission. Many leases prohibit subletting or short-term stays.
  • Also, if you’re in a condo or HOA, review their association bylaws—many forbid or restrict short-term rentals

 

Meet safety and insurance requirements
   •   Provide working smoke and CO detectors, a fire extinguisher, and clear emergency exits.
   •   Some cities require an inspection before issuing an STR permit.
   •   Get short-term rental insurance added into your home insurance policy (Airbnb’s AirCover is a base layer, but it’s wise to have your own host policy).

 

Prepare your property
   •   Deep-clean and furnish it comfortably.
   •   Stock essentials: linens, toiletries, cleaning supplies.
   •   Install a smart lock or lockbox for self-check-in.

 

Create your listing on Airbnb,com:
   •   Write an accurate, engaging description.
   •   Upload bright, high-quality photos.
   •   Highlight your home’s unique features and rules.
   •   Enable calendar sync and automated messages for guests.

 

Manage operations
   •   Schedule cleaning and maintenance between stays.
   •   Set house rules (quiet hours, no smoking, etc.).
   •   Respond quickly to inquiries—platforms reward responsive hosts.

 

 In Malaysia: 

 

  1. Confirm your building allows it. Check your condo/apartment bylaws (JMB/MC). Many strata buildings restrict or ban short-term stays. Get written approval if required.
  2. Check local council rules. Requirements differ by city (e.g., DBKL, MBPJ, MBPP Penang, MBSA Shah Alam, etc.). Some councils require a homestay/“lodging house” license or registration—ask your council before you list.
  3. If you rent (not own), get your landlord’s consent. Most tenancy agreements prohibit subletting without written permission.
  4. Register your business & taxes.       •   Register with SSM (sole prop/enterprise) if you’re operating as a business name.       •   Declare your income to LHDN.       •   Register and collect the Tourism Tax (RM10/room-night) from non-Malaysian guests if your listing qualifies; pay it to Customs (RMCD).
  5. Safety & compliance. Fit smoke alarms in bedrooms/hall, a small fire extinguisher, clear emergency info; follow BOMBA safety guidance.
  6. Set up operations. Reliable cleaning, self check-in (lockbox/smart lock), guest screening, house rules aligned with strata rules, quiet hours.
  7. Protect yourself. Get short-term-rental insurance, set a security deposit, and keep records.
  8. Create a strong listing. Great photos, accurate amenities, competitive pricing, and clear house rules; respond quickly to enquiries.

ciao Nadia,devi sondare la tua zona,capire che affluenza di turisti c'è,il target economico degli stessi ed il costo dei tuoi rivali.Capire nella tua nazione i fini fiscali quale sia il modo migliore di gestire l'attività e cominciare a farti un pò di conti in tasca per capire spese e rientri economici.Dopo questo pubblichi qualche bella foto della tua abitazione/attività una descrizione un prezzo adeguato e comincia a vedere l'evolversi della situazione,dopo col tempo capisci cosa puoi modificare,arredamenti,costi e servizi

 

___

 

Hi Nadia, you need to survey your area, understand how many tourists there are, their economic target and the cost of your rivals. Understand the tax implications in your country, what is the best way to manage the business and start doing some calculations to understand expenses and economic returns. After that, publish some nice photos of your home/business, a description, and an appropriate price, and start to see how the situation evolves. Over time, you will understand what you can change, such as furnishings, costs, and services.

 

[Google translation added by OCM]

 

Sébastien696
Level 1
Nouméa, New Caledonia

Bonjour Nadia,

 

Pour commencer, il est essentiel de bien se renseigner sur la réglementation applicable et de s’y conformer. Cela permet d’éviter des problèmes à l’avenir.

 

Ensuite, il est utile d’analyser le marché local : regarder les biens similaires autour du vôtre, les prix pratiqués, les services proposés et les descriptions. Cela vous aidera à positionner votre bien en termes de prix et de potentiel.

 

Il est également important de prendre de très belles photos du logement — en quantité suffisante — puis de faire un tri pour ne garder que les meilleures.

 

Créez ensuite l’annonce sur Airbnb, en y intégrant les photos sélectionnées et une description fidèle, claire et unique qui met en valeur votre bien.

 

Et c’est parti pour l’aventure !

 

Bon courage pour la suite.

 

Cordialement,

 

_______________________________________________________________________
 
Google Translation added by Community Manager:  

 

Hello Nadia,
To begin with, it’s essential to thoroughly research the relevant regulations and ensure you comply with them. This will help you avoid any issues in the future.
Next, it’s useful to analyse the local market: look at similar properties in your area, the prices being charged, the amenities offered, and the descriptions provided. This will help you position your property in terms of pricing and potential.
It’s also important to take high-quality photos of your accommodation — and plenty of them — then carefully select only the best ones.
Then, create your listing on Airbnb, including the chosen photos and a description that is accurate, clear, and distinctive, highlighting the unique features of your property.
And that’s you ready to begin your adventure!
Best of luck with everything.
Kind regards,
 

HI Nadia, You already have a lot of good suggestions here. I will add that you should stay at a few AirBNBs in your area to see what your competition offers and what the guest experience should be.  Good luck with your journey and when you have your listing ready, let us know and we can provide more feedback.

 

Sneha38
Level 1
Melbourne, Australia

Hey there! 😊 Getting started as a host can be such a rewarding experience — especially if you focus on family, comfort, and fun. Here are a few tips that might help:

 

  1. Check local laws first – Before setting up, make sure you understand your area’s local and building regulations to see what’s allowed for short-term hosting. It’ll save you stress later!
  2. Set a clear budget – Decide how much you’d like to spend on furniture and décor. Keep things simple, comfortable, and durable — it doesn’t have to be expensive to feel welcoming.
  3. Create a family-friendly vibe – Add a few board games, puzzles, or cards for family time, plus some books for both kids and adults. Small touches like these make guests feel right at home.
  4. Add thoughtful details – A cozy throw, a local snack basket, or a note with nearby parks and cafés adds warmth and personality.
  5. Keep communication friendly and quick – Guests love a helpful, approachable host.
  6. Have fun with it! – Hosting is all about creating memorable stays and meeting wonderful people along the way.

More tools to help you meet your goals

Resource Center

Explore guides for hospitality, managing your listing, and growing your business.