AirBNB - Being a host Tips/Rules/Advice

marcus2000

Anyone got advice in relation to being a host on Airbnb.
Particularly around the areas such as Insurance and Taxation.

Before I commit myself to actually reading the terms and conditions, I was hoping I could get some quick answers from existing hosts.

- Does the income fall into the share a room scheme, so long as you don't earn over a threshold, and thus not applicable for Tax??

- Are there Insurance issues? You are basically running a business from your home?

- I assume, given you are not an official hotel/bnb, you can have your own rules.. (I wouldn't want to give a guest a key, or leave them in my house unaccompanied - obviously, I'd make every effort to accommodate their needs though, and treat them as a 'personal guest' ).

Any other tips/advice appreciated

purplecow1977

This probably isn't the advice you are looking for but I recently stayed in one in Belfast.

Owner gave me a key and encouraged me to treat place as home for as long as I stayed.

Even said to help myself to breakfast.

If someone stays with you,they will likely want their own key. I know I would. Plus I was returning home late and owner was working next morning so how do you suggest getting around that one?

Personally air bnbwouldn't be for me and I wouldn't want strangers in my house regularly.

Daith

marcus2000 wrote: »

- I assume, given you are not an official hotel/bnb, you can have your own rules.. (I wouldn't want to give a guest a key, or leave them in my house unaccompanied - obviously, I'd make every effort to accommodate their needs though, and treat them as a 'personal guest' ).

Not give them a key? Or leave them in your place by themselves? That's really not going to work.

You really might want to reconsider if it's for you.

faceman

I've used Airbnb a few times and I'm considering becoming a host. Don't take this as legal or financial advice so best check with Revenue.

AFAIK it doesn't fall under the rent a room scheme. There is a VAT element to the payment the guest pays. I know that if you have a property in Ireland and you live abroad, Airbnb also withhold an element of the payment for tax purposes.

Re insurance you definitely need public liability insurance.

zulutango

How much might the public liability insurance cost? Any insurance experts out there?

athtrasna

zulutango wrote: »

How much might the public liability insurance cost? Any insurance experts out there?

Try the insurance forum