What costs are there in running an air bnb?

[Benefitbettyquestion]

If you run an airbnb what are your rough cost categories?

I don’t run one myself but a good friend does. Off the top of my head I’d suggest her main costs are:

Cleaning - both before guests and regular deep cleans
Utilities - gas, electric, water, Wi-Fi
Insurance
Costs of replacing breakages/damaged items (including locksmith for lost keys); cost of refreshing towels, bed linen, pillows/mattresses, soft furnishings etc.
Laundry cost - towels and bedding, particularly getting stuff dried in the winter
Maintenance - servicing boiler, gardening
Welcome packs, tea and coffee etc. if you provide them

I’m sure there’s more but that’s a start.

Insurance - normal household insurance doesn’t cover short term rentals

Don't forget income tax

And there's council tax.

Thanks.
Anything else?

Business rates?

news.airbnb.com/en-uk/do-i-need-to-pay-business-rates-as-a-host-on-airbnb/#:~:text=If%20your%20Airbnb%20listing%20is,on%20Airbnb%20and%20its%20location.

Taxes, cut to airbnb and any other advertising /booking services
Deep cleaning weekly
Laundry service
Repairing and replacing broken goods regularly

A couple of my friends do it and just about break even.

I have a lot of friends with holiday lets. Advertising and commissions, cleaning, utilities, insuraances, costs to meet regulations (like fire doors and accountancy charges) and replacements are large cost categories.

Practical issues revolve around - actually managing to get quality cleaners especially on main changeover days, cost of labour for replacements as you need to move fast to repair (or run the chance of a bad review), and the quandary of not making much off season due to lower prices and higher utility costs but has the advantage of keeping cleaners in work.

Then I guess on buying you have higher stamp duty.

And Capital Gains Tax if you decide to sell the property at a later date.

Impact on the local community- is there a housing shortage in the area?

just cos it’s external doesn’t mean it’s not a cost borne by society