How to Make Money on Airbnb Without Owning Property (20 Tips)

Yes, making money on Airbnb without owning property is possible and even easy, if you know what needs to be known.

Thankfully reading this article reveals all you need to know, to really make money on Airbnb without even owning any property.

 

Importance

Necessity is the mother of invention.

In other words, there are times in our lives when we are desperate to have things happen.

In order to make these things happen we do a number of things that may be traditional or sometimes are new and innovative.

This can be especially true if you need money for food or rent.

You will consider a number of options and actions to take in order to keep your stomach happy as well as keep a roof over your head.

Who would’ve ever thought that two individuals who needed to raise rent money would consider renting out their air mattresses to others in order to raise the needed money to pay the rent?

This is the story behind the beginnings of Airbnb when the three founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk of San Francisco rented out their air mattresses in order to get rent money.

This innovation stemming from the need for dollars inflated Airbnb.

As these founders earned money from air mattresses let us see how we also can capitalize on earning money through Airbnb even though we may not even own property or air mattresses for that matter.

 

20 Ways and Tips to Help You Make Money on Airbnb Without Owning Property

 

1. Know about Airbnb

Airbnb is an alternative for individuals who are looking for lodging while they are vacationing or on a business trip, etc.

Rather than paying the cost of a hotel, which can be considerably more, a home within the Airbnb system will provide all the comforts of home for the guest and provide at a reduced cost.

The search for available homes and registering can be accomplished through Airbnb.com.

 

2. Know about Managing Properties 

An option to earn money through Airbnb without owning property is to actually be part of the management process.

This means that the owner of the Airbnb property will hire you as a manager.

Your job description will be to oversee the property itself.

Also, you will interact with the guests and be expected to correspond with the guests, check-in on their stay, restock any of the amenities that the guests need, etc.

This would all occur once a guest has been registered to stay at the home.

Payment is usually between 10% and 20% of the total booking amount.

For example, if a one-night reservation costs $150 you could receive anywhere from $15-$30.

 

3. Know about Airbnb Host Sitting 

Another opportunity that can be afforded to an individual to earn income from an Airbnb although not owning the property is by host sitting.

This means that the owner can be elsewhere while the Airbnb home is on the market.

While the owner is away, the house sitter will take care of business by living in the home and managing the property.

This works especially well if the home listing has a dual residency where the house sitter can live on one side of the home or on a different level with the guest room(s) being elsewhere.

 

4. Renting a Furnished House 

Another option of earning money is to work out an agreement with your landlord about subletting your current home that you are renting.

With this option, it is important to check with your landlord and understand the terms of the lease.

Also, there are some communities that do not allow subletting an apartment or home as part of the Airbnb process.

It is best to check with the local ordinances.

 

5. Invitation 

By inviting people to join Airbnb you may be provided an option of earning money.

There are three aspects to the invitation process.

The first is to extend an invitation to someone to join Airbnb as a traveler.

Through this method, you will not actually be paid but you will be rewarded with a coupon/credit that you can utilize with Airbnb travel.

The second option is if you know somebody who would be a good match as an Airbnb host you can invite them to create an experience through your experience link on the website.

The third option is if you are an Airbnb host with the listed property you can invite other hosts to participate in the Airbnb family.

There are limitations to the invitation process which include a $5000 on travel credits through the invitation to friends and capping of 25 imitations when inviting others to be part of the Airbnb hosting experience.

 

6. Cleaning up 

Once the guests have left, a way of earning money would be to provide a cleaning service in preparation for the next guest’s arrival.

The cleaning service that you would provide would include housekeeping duties, dusting, cleaning of the restroom, etc.

 

7. Hosting Experiences

This way of earning money provides an Airbnb guest with the option of utilizing your services as a tour/city guide.

As a guide, you will get paid for your personal service and escorting the guests around the city, possibly attending a few of the local restaurants or nightlife venues, or taking individuals to a well-known tourist attraction in the area.

You could work out a financial agreement with the guests themselves or work with the owner of the home to include that as part of their offering or package to their guests.

 

8. Co-host 

This moneymaking option would require that the industrious individual approach the host of Airbnb through the website.

The discussion of a meeting would be an agreement of terms surrounding the sharing of the listing of the home.

As a co-host, your role and responsibility would be similar to a concierge or a consultant in a hotel facility.

In essence, you would be partnering with the host as it relates to managing the property.

Also See: Earn Money Living in a House and Earn Money Staying in Haunted Houses.

 

9. Affiliate 

By definition, an affiliate is a person who promotes a product or service that is provided by another individual.

As it relates to Airbnb, your role as an affiliate would be to recommend the property as an outstanding place to stay for individuals who are visiting that particular city.

This endorsement can be done across social media platforms, venues, or websites.

With the affiliation process, you will be directing customers to that particular Airbnb which may provide a discount for you, or a commission based upon the referrals when bookings are made.

 

10. Referral 

This method of earning cash provides rewards back to you when someone follows through on your referral and engages the service.

In this case, booking a night or period of time at your referred Airbnb.

With this process, a specific code is provided by Airbnb to you to provide.

When that code is utilized then you receive an agreed-upon credit or amount of cash.

 

11. Interior Decorator 

If you have a flair for colors, designs, and creating an inviting theme in a home then perhaps you could provide your services as an interior decorator to the owner of an Airbnb home.

You can initially go in and create the desired look that the owner or you are suggesting and then maintain or manage that look on an ongoing basis.

You could charge an initial fee and then subsequent smaller monthly fees to maintain that ambiance.

 

12. Virtual Assistant 

Sometimes the Airbnb host doesn’t realize the extent of their time involvement as it relates to having their home utilized by a guest.

Some of the details and activities required to manage the guest process during and after their stay could involve the replacing of amenities such as coffee, toiletry items, any issues that may be experienced by the guests, etc.

Another critical function is communication with the guests prior during and after their stay.

Many homeowners will hire a virtual assistant to ensure that these services are rendered and communication availability with the guests is open and free-flowing.

A virtual assistant will not only communicate with the guest but arrange for cleaning services to be scheduled, manage the listing and keep the calendar and prices up to date.

 

13. Spare Room 

If you have a spare bedroom that is not being utilized this may prove to be a moneymaking process for you with the Airbnb service.

You could actually be the homeowner or if allowed, you could rent out that spare bedroom as part of allowing guests to book a room through Airbnb.

 

14. Provide Furniture 

A home, and in order to be qualified to be listed on Airbnb, the guest room needs to be furnished.

As part of the needed furnishings, there could be a particular design or theme that the home has embraced.

This is where an opportunity of earning money through Airbnb is presented to you as you can provide the needed furniture and decorate the home accordingly to increase the enhancement of the experience.

For your time and the use of any furniture that is provided by you a monthly rental fee to the owner of the home can be assessed.

 

15. Photographer 

In order to advertise a rental home on Airbnb, there needs to be quality photos posted on the site.

Of course, a potential guest wants to see what they will be renting and the quality of the photographs at a variety of different angles will help to promote the distinctiveness and beauty of the Airbnb rental.

Therefore, if you have an eye for photography and are able to get that perfect shot, then you could provide this service for individuals who are wishing to list their homes on the Airbnb site.

You can advertise your services through social media websites as well as local classified ads.

 

16. Approaching Home Owners 

This option of earning money requires a little bit more of a “hustle” on your part.

The idea is to approach landlords who are renting a furnished home in your community.

The conversation eventually would lead to the earning power for the landlord and utilizing their rental as an Airbnb.

You would emphasize the reality that they could earn anywhere from 2 to 3 times more than what they would be receiving through a monthly rental fee.

As the conversation continues to pique the interest of the landlord you would share your availability to manage the property for a percentage of the bookings.

Potentially, these landlords could be found on websites such as Oodle where individuals are wanting to rent out their properties.

Of course, it goes without saying that the rental would need to be furnished and would need to be a qualified rental as it relates to the expectations of the Airbnb process.

 

17. Create an Experience 

Perhaps the guests wish to experience the city where they have booked an Airbnb.

This can be accomplished in one of two ways.

One is to actually accompany the guests and personalize the experience.

The other option is to plan an experience for the guest(s).

If there is family involved the activities could surround opportunities that are designed to delight the family.

Or if enjoying the nightlife is desired, the itinerary could include the exciting “hot” spots that the city has to offer.

This can be part of the package of reserving this particular Airbnb and you can be paid by the owner for your efforts and time in designing an exciting adventure.

 

18. Maintenance 

The proper maintenance of a home is necessary to ensure the proper working order of the heating and cooling systems as well as appliances.

If you have the proper skills and licensing needed, you can provide these services to Airbnb in your community.

As part of your service, you can provide regular system checks, change filters as necessary, etc.

It would also be great customer service to the landlord to be available 24 hours a day as needed to provide a quality stay for the guest.

The money for this service can be through a month-to-month contract or longer if both parties are agreeable.

 

19. Linens 

As part of the expectations of the guests staying at an Airbnb, the home is clean linens, towels, etc.

You can offer to provide this service through a current business you are operating or you can provide this specialized service to Airbnb.

 

20. Become an Airbnb Associate 

To sign up to become an Airbnb associate is an easy process and can be accomplished by clicking here (as of this writing they are not accepting new applications).

Once you agree to the terms you are onboard.

As an associate payment is given when you promote products that include stays or experiences.

If your circle of influence utilizes Airbnb services through your link you will receive a percentage of the associated fee.

 

Personal Story

Speaking of air mattresses, because of my personal situation with my wife and home life, I sleep on an air mattress.

Originally, I had a fairly decent air mattress that I unfortunately punctured when I was trying to clean the top portion of the mattress.

Despite many repeated attempts at trying to repair the significant-sized hole, and $30 later, I eventually threw the air mattress away and went to a secondary plan of action.

Given the back story behind Airbnb, perhaps I should have donated my air mattress to the founders of the company to see if their innovation could have turned that situation into money given their golden touch as it relates to earning money.

 

FAQs

 

How Much Do Airbnb Owners Make?

The state where the most income was realized is the state of California.

In 2020 the average host earned $32,876.

 

What Percentage Does Airbnb Take From the Successful Booking?

As a commission, Airbnb collects 3%.

 

You Can Do It

Operating a host home within Airbnb can be a time-consuming money-making opportunity.

To make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved a number of the associated services can be outsourced to others.

This then provides an opportunity for others to earn money with the ultimate mission being the enjoyment of the guests.

 

Conclusion

All of us have talents and assets that are in need of by others.

Airbnb hosts, provide the property.

However, a team of professionals will add to the quality of the experience of everyone involved as part of the hospitality process.

You may not have the property needed but you have the physical property and intellectual property needed that can earn you money.