Rentals

Hosting guests on Airbnb

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

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

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

In South Africa: Strong in tourist areas and cities.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Reliable internet
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 4 hours a week · age 18+
  • Customer service (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

Nightly rates vary hugely by area; check five similar listings near you. We do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R1 000 to R20 000
Every month
Linen, cleaning, toiletries, Wi-Fi, electricity, Airbnb's host fee.
Payment fees
Airbnb host fee, typically 15.5% under the single-fee model.
Margin
Depends on occupancy; cleaning and fees are real costs.

How it is paid: Nightly rate minus fees and costs. Our viability score for it: 53 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Check five similar listings near you: price, reviews, how booked their calendars look
    • Check body corporate and zoning rules
    • Success signal: 5 five-star reviews

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Check rules: body corporate, zoning, insurance
    • List what you must buy: linen, towels, lock box, toiletries
    • Take daylight photos of the space

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Publish your listing at an opening price to win first reviews
    • Write a cleaning checklist and house rules

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Adjust prices by season
    • Offer returning guests a direct booking

First bookings can take a few weeks while you build reviews. First income usually takes 14 to 120 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

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

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Tourists, business travellers, people visiting family.

A comfortable place to stay.

Is there demand?

Airbnb has moved most hosts to a single host-paid service fee, typically 15.5% of the booking (the older split fee was 3% for hosts). Nightly rates and occupancy vary hugely by area; we found no reliable SA averages.

AirbnbBooking.comDirect bookings from returning guests

Getting customers

Airbnb search, good photos and reviews.

Listing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)Responding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Empty months: plan for low season
  • Damage and difficult guests: house rules and Airbnb's host protections
  • Body corporate or zoning rules may ban short stays

Competition: High in tourist areas.

Room to grow: Grows with more units or co-hosting.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Check your body corporate rules, zoning and municipal guest-house by-laws.
  • Rental income is taxable.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start hosting guests on Airbnb in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 000 to R20 000. Recurring costs: Linen, cleaning, toiletries, Wi-Fi, electricity, Airbnb's host fee.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 45 days, and between 14 and 120 days. First bookings can take a few weeks while you build reviews.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Check your body corporate rules, zoning and municipal guest-house by-laws. Rental income is taxable. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

Free tools for this

Test hosting guests on Airbnb with your own numbersEstimate the tax on this side income

Not sure this is the one?

The free test ranks every option against your skills, time and budget.

Take the free test

Read next

Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy