Air BnB: experience as owner please

[AllAboutTheTent]

So we became landlords last year, unintentionally as we couldn't sell/had a few sales through due to covid.

Our tenant is moving out soon, as they are buyer a property.

We are wondering whether to rent long term again, or Air BnB the property out?

How easy is it? Do you feel it's been worth it?

We have a property we Airbnb and it’s on other platforms too. We have a managing agent deal with everything for us, handles all booking, arranges the cleans and laundry. Cost a fair bit, but worth it in our circumstances.

Our property is in a popular coastal resort, it’s very characterful.

Just bear in mind that booking are down so far this year. I don’t know about you but my mailbox is full of U.K. holiday offers atm. It suits us as we don’t have mortgage on the property and we and family can use it, for trips too. But if you are needing consistent income, perhaps residential let is the way to go. Remember with Airbnb you will be paying utilities, cost of furnishings etc.

Is the property the sort someone would book for a holiday, popular area, character properties tend to attract more bookings, as people like to stay somewhere different to their usual home.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

It’s hard work and overheads are high. Things need repairing and replacing regularly and your cleaning has to be 100% spot on nowadays. Sone guests really will look for dust on top of the wardrobe and give you a poor cleanliness rating.

If you do the cleaning yourself do you want to spend hours each week cleaning up other peoples mess? My poor cleaner has had to deal with human waste smeared over the bathroom and a fridge full of blood. We’ve had to replaster in the 6 hours between guests once and whipping out a paint brush is not uncommon. Most guests are fine but there is always that feeling of dread as you open the front door wondering what you’ll find.

Gross returns look attractive but once you knock off cleaning, hours of laundry, fuel, insurance, advertising, wear and tear, tv licences etc etc , the net returns are much lower.

Having said that I love what I do but despite what a lot of people think, most holiday home owners are not making a lot of money out of it!