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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Has anyone quit their job to run an Airbnb? Wondering what to expect.

39 replies

Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 20:56

Hi all, I’m considering quitting my job to run an Airbnb.

I’m currently working full time as a teacher and I really enjoy my subject, but just hate the behaviour I’m having to deal with all the time. My 3 small DC are suffering due to work/life balance.

We’ve just bought a holiday cottage in a really sought after area and I’m considering quitting my job to run it. Is this total madness? I have no idea about earnings.

YABU - continue teaching
YANBU - no, go for running the cottage!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:03

Anyone?

OP posts:
mumda · 10/12/2023 21:04

What's your business plan say? Can you afford to give up work?

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 10/12/2023 21:07

I doubt you will make enough to cover your teachers wage, at least initially. Do you have a mortgage on the holiday place? Also all of the cleaning costs, laundry etc......... it is a lot of hard work.

MojoMoon · 10/12/2023 21:08

What is your expected rental income from the air BnB and what are your expected costs? Add on a sinking fund contribution to cover bigger costs and repairs in addition to covering bills, insurance, tax, marketing and other regular costs.

How much do you need to earn?

Do you live near the property?
Are.you physically able to do a whole house clean within a few hours potentially a couple of times a week?

TheIsleOfTheLost · 10/12/2023 21:10

You need to find out about earnings before asking people on the internet for permission. Things to consider include whether there is a possibility to make a profit, are there any bylaws or covenants preventing short lets, if you don't live in the area you need to pay cleaners, laundry etc. It is also a risk to completely rely on it as there may be airbnb renting bans in the area in future.

My giving up work dream involves winning the lottery, so much less day to day admin.

Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:11

mumda · 10/12/2023 21:04

What's your business plan say? Can you afford to give up work?

TBH, I haven’t got a full one yet, just some early figures mapped out.

Yes, I have got other income sources so I can afford to give up work.

OP posts:
Lantyslee · 10/12/2023 21:11

You need to make a calculation based on the cost of running the house: mortgage, bills, repairs, redecoration, furnishings etc and deduct those from the likely income (you can get estimates from holiday cottage letting agencies) and see what will be left after tax.

Sidebeforeself · 10/12/2023 21:11

How many Air BnBs are in your area? You need to know the competition. What sort of service are you offering? Can you afford to constantly replace stuff? Are your neighbours on board or could they be difficult? Are you okay knowing you are pricing home buyers out of the market?

Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:13

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 10/12/2023 21:07

I doubt you will make enough to cover your teachers wage, at least initially. Do you have a mortgage on the holiday place? Also all of the cleaning costs, laundry etc......... it is a lot of hard work.

Yes, there’s a mortgage on the property.

I was thinking of doing all the work myself. All the agencies round here charge 30-40% commission so if I cut that out and manage it myself, I could earn more.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:15

Sidebeforeself · 10/12/2023 21:11

How many Air BnBs are in your area? You need to know the competition. What sort of service are you offering? Can you afford to constantly replace stuff? Are your neighbours on board or could they be difficult? Are you okay knowing you are pricing home buyers out of the market?

Our neighbours are on board and luckily they are great- mainly second home owners so they sort of understand. We tend to all keep an eye out for each other’s properties.

OP posts:
flowerchild2000 · 10/12/2023 21:24

Airbnb renters' behavior is worse than childrens'. Last year I helped a friend who has an Airbnb cleaning business and it was traumatizing. They party hard, ignore all the rules, grind mud into carpets, bring animals in when it's prohibited, let their children spill food and drinks on the furniture, smear poo on the walls, vomit everywhere, just so many body fluids and so much disrespect. I also ran my own Airbnb for a short time before this experience and it didn't take long for me to quit for the same reasons. Mine was more camping though, it was a yurt out in the country. They destroyed everything, the yurt which was extremely expensive was left in tatters, cigarette butts everywhere (smoking was completely prohibited by law because of wildfires and by my rules as well), they felt like they could rearrange my property, cut down trees to burn for firewood (again, fire prohibited,) I could go on and on. I just don't recommend it.

Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:27

Do you live near the property?
Are.you physically able to do a whole house clean within a few hours potentially a couple of times a week?

Yes, I live about 30 mins away and I’m able to clean it when I need to.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:28

@flowerchild2000 that sounds awful. I don’t want to go through all of that! Hoping for the luxury end of the market, but I do understand that some people will trash your lovely place.

OP posts:
flowerchild2000 · 10/12/2023 21:30

Mysteriousgirl2 · 10/12/2023 21:28

@flowerchild2000 that sounds awful. I don’t want to go through all of that! Hoping for the luxury end of the market, but I do understand that some people will trash your lovely place.

The ones I cleaned were luxury!

pasturesgreen · 10/12/2023 21:30

The fact you're considering this despite having no idea whether it's financially viable tells me you probably shouldn't quit your day job just yet, sorry OP!

Watchingstick · 10/12/2023 21:31

@flowerchild2000 not all renters surely! We regularly book air b and b for holidays and always clean and leave it immaculate, never had any complaints, bit of a generalisation. @Mysteriousgirl2 maybe market it for families and you won’t have these issues.

Elphame · 10/12/2023 21:34

Sorry but the luxury end is no guarantee of good guests! Luxury tends to attract the most entitled behaviour. Many will leave the place a complete tip because they expect you to clean up after them

Kroot · 10/12/2023 21:36

OP you’ve said already that you can afford to quit your teaching job. If you have worked that al out, then go for it!
Good luck with your cottage, makes sense to cut out the agency fees and get that time with your children.

TheDogsMother · 10/12/2023 21:36

I think you would need multiple properties to make a living and replace your salary.

meatbaseddessert · 10/12/2023 21:42

How much do you need to make a month? I have an Airbnb and we 'come home' with about 50% of the revenue we make once Airbnb charges, expenses and tax are factored in.

Plus we have to give up a lot privacy and time wise.

MechyMagic · 10/12/2023 21:50

I can assure you the behaviour is absolutely no better.

Despite several decades of toilet training there is no aim, at all, from either hole.
Menstrual remnants up the wall, under the table top (where you also find chewing gum!), all over the floor.
Curry stains on bedding and curtains.
The usual sexual paraphernalia left behind.
Mouldy cups, plates, pillows.
Mud everywhere.
Talcum powder everywhere.
Sticky alcohol stains everywhere.

I'll stop here but I can go on and on... maybe one day I'll actually sit and write the book!

And yes... luxury.

iluvsummer · 10/12/2023 21:54

Can you afford to lose your teaching salary?

I am a teacher and also have the urge to get out as it impacts my family life, I also have an Airbnb in a popular holiday destination which is at 60/65% occupancy but I could not afford to give up my salary to solely do this. After I have paid all expenses involved with running it (and there are a lot!) I have enough to pay for a 2 week holiday, a few tanks of oil over the winter and some of the nicer things for the children that I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

You aren’t guaranteed bookings and if you have a booking they can always cancel. It’s not a guaranteed income where you know how much you’ll have in the bank at the end of every month. The majority of my bookings are direct so no fees to pay in that respect but I wouldn’t give up my teaching job to run it as my sole income!

flowerchild2000 · 10/12/2023 21:58

@Watchingstick I shared my experience candidly, you are free to share your own as well, but trying to discredit mine with yours is just nasty.

OhNoForever · 10/12/2023 21:59

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NigellaAwesome · 10/12/2023 22:05

I let out our holiday home. We achieve about 115 nights a year, although I don't promote it beyond the airbnb listing. About 50% of our business is repeat bookings.

By the time I pay my outgoings I don't really make any profit out of it, although it does cover the bills. The thing that surprised me is the amount of wear and tear there is. Cases being bashed against walls, drinks spilt, hand prints on walls - you need to budget for lots of redecoration.