Considering renting out your home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another short-term hosting or rental service while you take a long vacation? Or do you have an extra room or apartment-like space you want to rent out in your home on a short-term basis? While renting out all or part of your home can be a great way to bring in extra money, there are lots of legal and practical issues to consider, such as taxes, insurance coverage, liability for guest injuries, municipal restrictions, landlord rules (if you rent your home), and concerns of your neighbors. Here are the basics you need to know.
Becoming an AIRBNB host is a great way to bring in some extra cash but make sure you look into the rules that apply to short-term rentals in your area.
Understand insurance and liability issues when you rent out your home on Airbnb.
Airbnb rentals can be profitable, but beware the tax consequences.
How to screen Airbnb and other short-term guests to avoid problems.
Tips on making sure your short-term rental home is a guest-pleaser.
Check out your legal right to rent out your home on a short-term basis.
Avoid neighbor problems when you rent out your home on a short-term basis.
What landlords, tenants, and homeowners need to know about short-term rentals such as Airbnb.
Tax deductibility of buying new carpet and making improvements and repairs in short-term rentals.
As a landlord on Airbnb or a similar short-term rental site, you may enjoy the benefits of some tax deductions. But of course, there's fine print to consider, as shown in these frequently asked questions.
Learn the limits of donating a stay in your vacation rental to a charity auction.
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At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.