A London resident recently shared her experience of turning her spare room into a source of income by listing it on the popular accommodation rental platform, Airbnb. The woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, stumbled upon the idea after seeing an advertisement on the London Underground.
After clearing out the spare room and taking some well-framed photos, she was ready to start hosting guests. She was paired with an Airbnb Superhost who offered support and advised her on how to attract guests by undercutting the prices of other local listings.
Within 24 hours of listing her room, she received her first booking from a young borderforce agent in need of a place to stay while training at Heathrow. The guest was given a set of keys and made to feel at home during his five-day stay, leaving the host £117 richer.
The host, who has been hosting for several months now and has received ten five-star reviews, shared some tips for a smooth hosting experience. She recommends trusting your instincts when vetting potential guests and being upfront about any house rules, such as the presence of pets.
She also highlighted the importance of providing small but thoughtful touches, such as a TV with a Sky box, toiletries, and a coffee machine, to make guests feel comfortable. The host also mentioned the tax implications of hosting, stating that Airbnb income can be exempt from taxes up to £7,500 per year.
Encouraged by her success on Airbnb, the host decided to list her spare room on Booking.com as well. While the platform generates more bookings, the host warns that their management platform is clunky and difficult to use. She also suggests informing your home insurance provider and filing a tax return if your Airbnb income exceeds the tax exemption threshold.
The host convinced her family members to list their spare rooms on Airbnb as well, but regrets not using her referral code to earn a commission for each person she referred. Despite this, she has earned over £700 in just over two months and recommends Airbnb to anyone with a spare room and a good radar for vetting guests.
In the end, the host concludes that while she would prefer not to have to rely on renting out her spare room, it has been a successful solution for supplementing her income. She jokingly adds that anyone interested in trying out Airbnb should contact her for a referral code.