Airbnb charges guests a guest service fee (6-12% typically) and hosts a 3% hosting fee. The host fee is calculated on the nightly rate minus cleaning fees. Some hosts also pay for Airbnb Plus certification or have enhanced cancellation policies.
• Spare room, guest house, or investment property
• Local permit (some cities require STR permits)
• Liability insurance (Airbnb provides $1M host guarantee, but get your own too)
• Professional cleaning between guests
• Nice photos (smartphone works in good light)
• Competitive pricing — use Airbnb's smart pricing tool
Many cities now regulate short-term rentals. Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Barcelona all have strict rules. Before listing, check your local laws. Some neighborhoods ban STRs entirely. Violating local rules can result in fines up to $1,000/night in some cities.