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Step-by-step guide

Hosting guests on Airbnb: your step-by-step start

Host travellers in a spare room, flatlet or cottage through Airbnb, with cleaning and check-ins handled by you.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People with a clean, safe space in an area visitors want to stay, who enjoy hosting.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.
  • You cannot put about R1 000 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: empty months: plan for low season.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How hosting guests on Airbnb worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: List what you must buy: linen, towels, lock box, toiletries3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Take daylight photos of the space3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Publish your listing at an opening price to win first reviews3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Write a cleaning checklist and house rules3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for adjust prices by season3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Offer returning guests a direct booking3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R1 000 to R20 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Airbnb host account
  • Linen and towels
  • Cleaning checklist
  • Lock box

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.