What to do with a spare room - AirBnB or Lodger it?

diystarter7

Hannimal said:

RetSol said:

Not sure an AirBnB is necessarily the in-between option.. the below would all be increased or more intrusive with a series of AirBnB guests than a longer term lodger
* advertising effort / cost
* admin of agreeing terms, taking payments, discussing deposits
* time dedicated to checking in, showing around, changeovers
* cleaning, laundry costs/time

From experience, I agree totally. 

I have done both Airbnb and mid-week lodgers and the latter was a lot easier and less stressful. 

Thank you - this is really helpful. I thought with Airbnb I could have gone with 1-4 week lets at a time by not allowing shorter or longer stays to reduce admin /dependency. The flexibility of it appeals to me. 

Hi OP

If you are wanting "flexibility" the Airbnb is the way forward and you are not lumbered with someone for too lonng if they are not the right fit.

I'm sure Airbnb help via info for their new customers to set up a letting business but don't forget the appropriate insurance, telling lenders if you have them etc and then the tax people and ensuring you meet the requirements re health and safety.

I'm not sure if it is mandatory but seek liability insurance as well if you go down any route of renting/letting, etc

Good luck.

JuzaMum

I used to host foreign students which worked well for me but you do need to feed them. I would have younger ones in the summer months who would share a room which is more work but lucrative. 
The last year I did this (I have had to stop for family reasons) I received about £10,000 in income. Obviously meals and laundry came out of this.

silvercar

I know a couple of people that airbnb weekends only. They aim for one weekend a month and either themselves stay with family or go on a short break themselves. They see their guests in and out of the property. They think of it as a reasonable extra income and don't have the inconvenience of having to be in the property with strangers.

Mutton_Geoff

JuzaMum said:

The last year I did this (I have had to stop for family reasons) I received about £10,000 in income. Obviously meals and laundry came out of this.

And income tax?

Joyful

I have found the ideal way to use my spare rooms. There is a company called Academic Families who look for hosts on behalf of Foreign students at Independant boarding schools. I get the students either for the odd weekend or for main holidays such as  Feb break, Easter etc. I am in Scotland but I believe they also use Hosts in England.