What You Need Before You List

To list a property on Airbnb, you need an active account, a property that meets Airbnb's rules, photos, and basic information about the space. You do not need to be a professional landlord or own the property outright — many hosts rent their own apartments and sublet on Airbnb, though you should check your lease and local laws first. Airbnb takes a cut of each booking (typically 3 percent from the guest, plus a service fee you set), so you keep the rest.

Before you start, confirm that short-term rentals are legal where your property is located. Some cities require a permit, cap the number of days you can rent per year, or ban short-term rentals in residential buildings entirely. Check your city or county website for "short-term rental" rules, or call your local planning department. If you rent rather than own, your lease may forbid subletting — violating it could get you evicted.

You will also need a way to receive payments. Airbnb deposits earnings into a bank account you link during setup. Have your account number and routing number ready, or a debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your city's short-term rental laws and your lease before listing, because some places ban them or require permits.
  • Create an Airbnb account, verify your identity, and add a payment method so you can receive booking money.
  • Take clear photos of every room, write an honest description, and set a nightly price based on similar properties in your area.
  • Choose your availability calendar and house rules, then publish your listing — Airbnb will review it before guests can book.
  • Plan to respond to messages within 24 hours and manage check-ins and cleanings yourself or hire someone to do it.

Create and Verify Your Airbnb Account

Go to airbnb.com and click "Become a Host" or sign in if you already have an account. You will need an email address and a password, or you can sign in with Google or Apple. Airbnb will ask for your full name, phone number, and date of birth.

Next, Airbnb requires identity verification. You will upload a photo of your government ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card) and a selfie taken on your phone or computer. Airbnb uses these to confirm you are who you say you are. This usually takes a few minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours.

Once verified, add a payment method. Click your profile icon, go to Account, then Payments and Payouts. Link a bank account where Airbnb will deposit your earnings, or add a debit card. Airbnb will deposit money a few days after each guest checks out.

Describe Your Property and Set House Rules

After verification, Airbnb asks what you are renting: an entire home, a private room, or a shared room. Choose the one that matches your property. Then answer questions about the space — how many bedrooms, bathrooms, beds, and guests it can hold. Be exact. If you say it sleeps six but only has three beds, guests will arrive expecting four beds and leave angry reviews.

Write a title and description. The title should be short and clear — "Bright 2-Bedroom Apartment in Downtown" works better than "Cozy Urban Oasis." In the description, list what is in the space: kitchen appliances, wifi, parking, washer and dryer, air conditioning. Mention what guests should know: street noise, stairs, a shared backyard, or that the neighborhood is quiet. Honesty prevents bad reviews and cancellations.

Set house rules. Common ones are no smoking, no parties, no pets (unless you allow them), and quiet hours after 10 p.m. You can also require a minimum stay — some hosts require three nights minimum to reduce turnover and cleaning costs. Keep rules reasonable; too many rules discourage bookings.

Take Photos and Set Your Price

Photos are the biggest factor in whether guests book your listing. Take pictures of every room in good natural light, during the day. Include the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, and any outdoor space. Take wide shots so guests see the whole room, and close-ups of nice details — a view, new appliances, or a comfortable bed. Avoid clutter, dirty dishes, or unmade beds. If your photos are poor, consider hiring a photographer for $100 to $300; it often pays for itself in extra bookings.

Set your nightly price by looking at similar properties near you. On Airbnb, search for listings like yours — same number of bedrooms, same neighborhood — and note their prices. Price yours in the middle of that range to start. You can change it anytime. Airbnb also suggests a price based on demand in your area; check that suggestion too.

Consider whether you will offer discounts for longer stays. Many hosts offer 10 to 20 percent off for weekly or monthly bookings to attract guests who stay longer and require fewer cleanings.

Set Your Availability and Publish

Click the calendar and mark which dates you want to accept bookings. You can block out dates when you need the space, when you are cleaning, or when you want a break. You can also set a minimum number of days between bookings if you need time to clean and prepare.

Review your listing one more time. Check that photos are clear, the description is honest, the price is reasonable, and house rules are fair. Then click Publish. Airbnb will review your listing — this usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Once approved, your listing goes live and guests can book.

After publishing, Airbnb may ask you to verify your address by mail. They send a postcard with a code to the property. This can take one to two weeks. Until you verify, some guests may not be able to book, so do this as soon as the postcard arrives.

Manage Bookings and Communicate With Guests

When a guest books, Airbnb sends you a notification. You have 24 hours to accept or decline (though most hosts accept automatically). After that, the guest can message you with questions. Respond within 24 hours — Airbnb tracks response time, and slow responders get fewer bookings.

Before the guest arrives, confirm the check-in time and method. Will they pick up a key from you, use a keypad code, or meet you at the door? Send clear directions and wifi passwords. Tell them where to find the thermostat, how to use appliances, and where trash and recycling go. A straightforward welcome message prevents confusion and bad reviews.

On check-in day, make sure the space is clean, beds are made, and everything works. After the guest leaves, you have 24 hours to review them. They also review you. Positive reviews build your reputation and lead to more bookings.

Plan for Cleaning and Maintenance

Between guests, you must clean the entire property. This includes washing sheets and towels, scrubbing the bathroom, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces. Many hosts spend two to four hours cleaning after each checkout. If you do not want to clean yourself, hire a cleaner — costs range from $75 to $200 per cleaning depending on your area and property size. Factor this into your price so you still make money.

Keep the property in good repair. Fix broken appliances, leaky faucets, and damaged furniture quickly — guests notice and leave bad reviews. Take photos of any damage guests cause and document it in the Airbnb system so you can request payment for repairs.

Stock basics: toilet paper, soap, shampoo, paper towels, and trash bags. Guests expect these. Some hosts also leave coffee, tea, or snacks as a nice touch that earns better reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay taxes on Airbnb income?

Yes. Airbnb income is taxable. In the United States, Airbnb sends you a 1099-NEC form if you earn over $20,000 and have 200 or more transactions in a year (rules vary by country). Keep records of your earnings and expenses — cleaning, repairs, supplies — because you can deduct them. Talk to a tax professional about your specific situation.

What if a guest damages my property?

Document the damage with photos and report it to Airbnb within 30 days. Airbnb has a Host Damage Protection program that covers some repairs up to a limit (usually $3,000 in the US). You may need to pay out of pocket for damage beyond that limit, which is why renters insurance or host insurance is worth considering.

Can I refuse a booking?

You can decline a booking request before you accept it. After you accept, you can only cancel if there is an emergency, and Airbnb may charge you a cancellation fee and lower your rating. Declining too often also hurts your search ranking, so accept bookings you can actually fulfill.

How long does it take to get my first booking?

This varies widely. Some listings get booked within days; others take weeks or months. New listings with few or no reviews book slower. Competitive pricing, good photos, and quick responses help. Many hosts do not see steady bookings until they have five to ten positive reviews.

What if my lease or HOA forbids short-term rentals?

Do not list. Violating a lease can result in eviction, and violating HOA rules can result in fines. Check your lease and contact your HOA before you start. Some landlords and HOAs allow short-term rentals with written permission — ask first.