How do I get started with Airbnb?

First, I would start by reviewing the rules/regs on your county and city websites or calling excise and licensing and/or the zoning departments in your city. To find the information on the city/county websites, Google "short-term" rental regulations, your area."

After that you would get your space and your listing ready. Airbnb walks you through the process of creating your listing. Here is an article from Airbnb that you might find useful.

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/the-essentials-get-started-on-airbnb-1

Am I allowed to rent a home that I live in on Airbnb?

There are lots of hosts who Airbnb homes they live in. Making the home available for weekend stays and short vacations is definitely possible. I recommend making your calendar "unavailable by default" and then manually opening the days you would like to rent.

Can I keep personal items in my Airbnb?

It's OK to have some of your stuff in the space. There is a place in your Airbnb listing where you will be asked if the space is used just for hosting or if you keep your personal things there. However, you should ensure that the guest has enough room for their items so that they feel welcomed in the space. I also recommend a locked owners closet for your valuables or cleaning supplies. Here is some guidance from Airbnb regarding hosting standards: https://www.airbnb.com/hospitality

How do I find the Airbnb rules and if I need a license/permit in my area?

The rules and regulations for Airbnb are localized.  I would start by reviewing the rules/regs on your county and city websites or calling excise and licensing and/or the zoning departments in your city. To find the information on the city/county websites, Google "short-term rental regulations, your area."

How do I add extra fees such as a cleaning fee or security deposit?

Airbnb is tricky that way. You will only be able to add the cleaning fee/security deposit AFTER you work through Airbnb’s initial listing wizard. Airbnb will open a bunch of fields after you go through the listing wizard. I recommend going to your listing and then going into each section to fill out the new information, especially the Pricing and Availability section, right away, so that you can add a cleaning fee and/or security deposit.

How much does Airbnb charge?

Most often it's 3% but Airbnb has many options.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1857/what-are-airbnb-service-fees

How do I add my cancellation policy?

Airbnb will open a bunch of fields after you go through their initial listing wizard. I recommend going into each section and filling out the new information; and especially the Policies and Rules, right away, so that you can update your Cancellation Policy. Also, take a look at Pricing and Availability to add your cleaning fee.

Do I have to use Instant Book? What is Instant Book?

Airbnb encourages hosts to use Instant Book and will rank your listing higher in the search results if you turn Instant Book on. However, Instant Book is not required and you can turn this setting off. Instant Book means that guests can instantly book your property IF they meet your criteria and agree to your house rules. You can require a verified government ID and positive reviews to help ensure good guests.

Here are a few Airbnb articles on booking settings:

This one explains booking settings, how to turn instant book on/off and how to set guest requirements: https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/understanding-your-calendar-and-booking-settings-16

Here is more detail on Instant Book: https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/everything-you-need-to-know-about-instant-book-17

How do I set up my listing for weekly or monthly stays?

You can set both a minimum and maximum stay in your Pricing and Availability section.

Here is an article from Airbnb on minimum/maximum stays: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/880/how-do-i-set-the-minimum-and-maximum-number-of-nights-a-guest-can-book

Airbnb ranks your listing better if you offer a discount for a weekly or a monthly stay. You’ll want to figure out how much you want to earn weekly or monthly and then increase your daily price so that the weekly or monthly price with the discount reflects how much you want to earn.

Airbnb also seems to be beta testing the ability to set a monthly price for your listing. Anytime you can participate in new features that Airbnb is offering it helps your search ranking. If this is available on your account, you will receive a notification at the top of your edit listing page. 

I’m having some trouble adding or re-arranging my listing pictures. What do I do?

The pictures section on Airbnb can be a bit buggy. I find switching from the desktop to the phone app sometimes helps or changing browsers.

Any non-obvious tips on building my listing?

Just a heads up that Airbnb will open a bunch of fields after you go through their initial listing wizard. I recommend going into each section and filling out the new information; and especially the Pricing and Availability, right away, so that you can your cleaning fee.

How do I delete a listing that I don’t intend to publish?

Unfortunately, the only way to delete the duplicated listing is to finish it, publish it, and then immediate go in and delete it.

Does Airbnb sync with VRBO?

Airbnb doesn't have a way for you to sync your calendar with VRBO. You will need to use a 3rd party channel manager. A few that I like that are also relatively low cost are https://my.hospitable.com/ and https://yourporter.com/.

How do I find a good Airbnb cleaner?

You will definitely want to get someone who specializes in Airbnb cleanings versus just a regular house keeper. The best way to find good people is to network with other hosts in your area. If you're on facebook, there are a lot of Airbnb facebook groups. Perhaps search for "Airbnb Hosts [your city]" on facebook.

Alternatively, https://turnoverbnb.com/, is marketplace for Airbnb cleaners. You can have cleaners bid on your job and turnoverbnb will also automate scheduling.

How do I find a Co-Host or Property Manager in my area?

You will definitely want to get someone who specializes in vacation rentals/Airbnb. If you're on facebook, there are a lot of Airbnb facebook groups. Perhaps search for "Airbnb Hosts [your city]" on facebook.

You can also google for vacation rental managers/Airbnb Managers/Short-Term Rental Manager in your area.

How do payouts and refunds work?

Below are some links to Airbnb's payout policies. Most common is that they release funds 24 hrs after a reservation begins, cancellations and refunds are taken from future payouts, not the host's bank account directly.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/425/when-youll-get-your-payout

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/how-cancellations-and-refunds-impact-your-payout-426

What do I do about insurance?

Airbnb provides Aircover damage and liability insurance automatically with every listing. However, I highly recommend that in addition to Airbnb's insurance that you notify your homeowner's or renter's insurer that you will be using the property as a short-term rental, and consider some additional liability insurance on your own. Proper Insurance provides insurance specific to short-term rentals.

Below is info on Airbnb's Aircover Policy.

https://www.airbnb.com/aircover

What taxes do I need to pay?

I am not a qualified tax professional. However, regarding income taxes, Airbnb will send a 1099 if you have over $20K in earnings AND over 200 reservations per year. Otherwise, you can find your income in the Earnings Summary.

Here is more detail from Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/tips-and-tools-for-filing-your-taxes-331

Regarding Lodging Taxes, it depends on where you are located whether or not Airbnb collects/remits Lodging Tax on your behalf. Either way, you are likely responsible for filing a Lodger's Tax Return each year. I suggest contacting the Department of Revenue or Excise and Licensing in your area for more info.

Feel free to reach out with further questions. 

What taxes do I need to charge the guest?

I am not a tax professional and I'm not qualified to provide tax advice. Most cities/counties require that lodging taxed is charged and remitted. I would start by reviewing the rules/regs on your county and city websites or calling excise and licensing and/or zoning. You might also try calling the Department of Revenue for your area to ask about applying for the required Tax ID.