The basics of hosting on Airbnb

Some hosts use their Airbnb earnings to pay for retirement. Others use it to fund passion projects. “I have been able to do three years of textiles at Morley Art College,” says host Tessa from London. “I have been able to travel, and hosting has helped me pay for a new kitchen.” Whatever your financial goals, hosting on Airbnb can be a great way to earn some extra income. Learn how to get started, from creating your listing to getting paid.

So what does it take to be an Airbnb host? First, you need to have a space available to share with travelers. Whether that’s an entire home, a spare room, or a comfy sofa bed, there’s likely to be a guest who will be happy in your space—the key is to create an Airbnb listing that honestly and accurately shows travelers what to expect. And you need to be willing to provide your guests with warm hospitality, which in general means:

1. Communicate promptly and clearly
2. Provide a clean space with the basic amenities needed for a comfortable stay
3. Add any extra touches you think will make your space special

By hosting on Airbnb, you can advertise your home to travelers with no strings attached—no sign-up charges or membership fees. And you decide on your own nightly rate. You can set custom prices for seasons, weekends, and any other nights where you want to control what you charge. You can also add fees upfront for things like extra guests or house cleaning. If you want some help determining how much to charge, Airbnb has tools that match your prices with demand and suggest a competitive price for every night.

Once you list your space on Airbnb, you’ll start getting inquiries and bookings from guests. Airbnb charges each guest before arrival to ensure you’ll always get paid on time when you host. You never have to handle money directly.

You can also choose how you get paid, using methods like direct bank deposit or PayPal. Airbnb typically releases your payment about 24 hours after your guest is scheduled to arrive. It may take a couple of days for the funds to hit your account. Your payout will be your nightly rate minus a small service fee. Airbnb doesn’t charge any fees for processing credit cards, making it just as easy for guests to book as it is for hosts to get paid.