Tiny Homes Airbnb: A Guide

Are you considering renting out your tiny home on Airbnb? You’re in good company! Tiny house rentals are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. They provide a unique and affordable way to travel and offer a chance for guests to experience the tiny house movement firsthand. Furthermore, when approached right, they can be lucrative for hosts.

Before you list your tiny home on Airbnb, however, there are a few things you should know, such as how to create a quality listing, marketing, and more.

Creating a listing for your tiny home Airbnb

The first step in renting out your tiny house on Airbnb is creating a quality listing. Here are some tips to make tiny houses stand out and attract potential guests:

Use descriptive language 

When drafting up your listing title and property overview, be sure to include the words “tiny home” or “tiny house” so that those on the hunt for a tiny home experience can find your listing easily. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of your space, using phrases such as ‘beautiful tiny house with huge picture windows’ or ‘luxurious tiny house with hot tub.’

Include high-quality photos

Guests want to see what your space looks like before they book, so make sure to include plenty of quality photos in your listing. Taking photos during different times of day can be a great way to showcase the home’s natural light and any special outdoor amenities, like a fire pit or hot tub.

Be transparent about the sleeping arrangements

Be upfront about how many guests your tiny home can accommodate comfortably and what the sleeping arrangements are. For example, if you have a lofted bedroom upstairs with a queen-size bed and a sofa bed on the ground floor, specify that the space can sleep up to four guests – getting greedy could lead to unhappy guests who’ve had a stressful time cramped up with too many occupants.

Highlight the unique features of your tiny home

What sets your tiny home apart from other Airbnb listings? Maybe it’s the rooftop deck or the custom murphy bed. Whatever your tiny lodging has got going for it, highlight these features loud and proud in your listing.

Include information about the surrounding area 

Is your tiny home located within walking distance of a quaint downtown area or nestled in the rural countryside? Let guests know what they can expect when they step outside for a spot of exploring.

What to include in your tiny home Airbnb

Now that you have an epic listing for your mini homestead, it’s time to make sure it’s guest-ready. Here are some essentials to include:

Comfortable sleeping arrangements

Most guests will expect at least one queen-size bed, but depending on the size of the space you’re working with, it may be possible to accommodate up to five guests–or maybe even up to six guests–using a combination of queen, double, and lofted beds.

A complete bathroom 

You probably wouldn’t want to host guests that had no interest in freshening up! So, be sure to provide a clean, functional bathroom with hot water, preferably a standing shower, and basic amenities like towels and toilet paper.

A living space with a dining table and seating area

Even in a tiny space, your guests will appreciate being able to relax in a dedicated living area with a comfortable sofa or chairs and a dining table.

Natural light and views

Tiny houses often have huge picture windows or French doors to offset their small stature, let plenty of natural light flood in and showcase any glorious views or other beautiful surroundings. Include any features like these in your listing.

Outdoor amenities

Many vacationers choose tiny home rentals because they want to immerse themselves in nature and the outdoors. If your space allows for it, consider adding in a fire pit or hot tub to crank the experience of your tiny pad up a notch.

Marketing and Pricing your tiny home Airbnb

Once your tiny home is guest-ready, it’s time to set a price and get marketing. Here are some tips for successfully pricing and marketing your tiny home Airbnb:

Offer a competitive price

Research other Airbnb tiny houses in your area to see what they’re (successfully) charging per night and adjust your price accordingly. Keep in mind that factors like your tiny house’s location and how close you are to grocery stores, the beach, local attractions, etc, amenities, and size will all impact the price. Neither under nor overvalue your tiny house rental property and don’t take it personally – finding the sweet spot will be key to getting guests rolling in.

Create a strong social media presence

Using social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook is a smart idea to show off your small house and connect with potential guests. Share inviting photos of your space to the right target market, promote any specials or deals you’re offering, and engage with your followers in a cheerful, respectful way to build a community around your short-term rental.

Partner with local businesses

If your little happy shack is located within walking distance of a downtown area or near a popular attraction, consider partnering with local businesses to offer guests enticing discounts or special promotions. This can help attract more guests and add value to their stay.

Offer unique experiences

Consider offering attractive add-ons like a guided hike or yoga session to make your rental stand out. These unique experiences can be a unique selling point to help differentiate your listing from others in the area.

Be a welcoming host

Finally, it can make a huge difference when you make an effort to be a welcoming and responsive host. Get back to guest inquiries promptly, offer recommendations for local activities and favorite restaurants, and ensure that your home is spick and span and comfortable for each guest’s stay.

Essential considerations for tiny home Airbnb hosts

Before you jump into the world of hosting a tiny home on Airbnb, there are some essential considerations that you should bear in mind.

Legalities

Before you can rent out your tiny home, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s legal to do so in your area. Check-in with your local government to see if there are any relevant zoning or permit requirements that you need to get in place first.

Insurance

As an Airbnb host, it’s vital to have adequate insurance coverage in case of any accidents or damages that occur during a guest’s stay. Airbnb offers Host Protection Insurance, but it’s also a good idea to double-check with your own insurance provider to see if you need any additional coverage.

Cleaning

Tiny houses can be challenging to clean, especially if you have a loft bed area or other hard-to-reach spaces. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service or at least invest in cleaning supplies and tools, such as a steam cleaner, that will help to make the process less cumbersome.

Maintenance

As with any home, tiny houses require regular maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition. Schedule routine inspections and repairs to ensure your guests have a safe and comfortable stay.

Security

One of the most important considerations for vacation rental hosts should be ensuring the safety and security of their guests. Measures to take can include investing in security solutions such as panoramic surveillance cameras. These cameras offer a 360-degree view of your property, allowing you to monitor activity both inside and outside. These days, they can also be connected to your smartphone or computer, giving you real-time access to footage and alerts.

Other security solutions that hosts should invest in include high-quality locks, smoke detectors, and alarm systems. It’s also essential to provide guests with a first aid kit and emergency contact information, such as the nearest hospital and police station.

Added protection

Airbnb hosts should also consider getting some identity theft protection in place to safeguard their personal information and finances. With the growing popularity of Airbnb, fraudsters, and hackers are increasingly targeting hosts for identity theft, credit card fraud, and phishing scams.

Identity theft protection services can provide hosts with monitoring services and send them alerts in the event that any suspicious activity is detected; they can also assist in resolving issues and restoring identity if it’s compromised. This can help hosts avoid the time, stress, and financial burden of dealing with the aftermath of identity theft. There are a variety of providers to choose from, but, as a recommendation, Identity Guard sets a very high bar.

Best Tiny Home Airbnb Rentals

If you’re looking for inspiration for your own tiny home Airbnb, here are some of the best tiny houses that are currently listed on the platform.

Apple Blossom Cottage is a cozy little cabin located in the rolling hills of Tennessee. It can accommodate up to four guests and features a queen-sized bed, a lofted sleeping area, and a wood-burning stove.

“Yellow and Blue” is an elegant shipping container tiny house in Waco Texas featuring a rooftop deck with LED rail lights to provide the perfect backdrop for some romantic stargazing.

Phoenix House is a unique tiny home in Hawaii situated near an active volcano that offers up breathtaking views. It can accommodate up to two guests and features a full bathroom, a wooden deck, and a morning coffee service.

Do tiny homes do well on Airbnb?

Yes, tiny homes can do very well on Airbnb and be a great source of extra income; they are fast becoming popular as an affordable and unique way to experience the tiny house movement. They offer all the amenities of a traditional home in a neat little package, making them attractive to travelers who want a taste of the simpler life.

A tiny vacation rental on Airbnb can be a great source of income with lower overhead costs and the potential to charge premium prices. It can also be a fun and rewarding experience for owners who are passionate about tiny houses. That being said, maintenance and cleaning can be extra challenging in a small space, and marketing listings in remote or rural areas can make it a little trickier to fill the bookings. Nevertheless, tiny vacation rentals can certainly attract visitors and be a lucrative and rewarding experience for the right host.

How do I get an Airbnb tiny house?

There are several ways to go about owning a tiny house, such as purchasing one pre-built, building one yourself, or hiring a builder to construct one for you.

If you decide to purchase a pre-built tiny house, you can choose from a variety of designs and sizes. Tiny houses can be as small as 100 square feet or as large as 400 square feet, and come in a wide range of styles, from quaint rustic cabins to chic, modern, minimalist designs. You can also choose whether you want your tiny house to be mobile or stationary, depending on your preferences and local regulations.

For those preferring to build their own tiny house, there are several resources available. Plans and guides can be found online, and depending on your area, you may even find workshops or classes on tiny house construction to attend.

If you hire a builder or a Sacramento general contractor to construct your tiny house, you can work with them to design a space that meets your specific needs and preferences. You can choose from a range of materials and finishes, and ensure that your tiny house is built to meet all relevant safety and building codes.

Whichever option you choose, it’s important to ensure that your tiny house meets all the requirements for hosting on Airbnb, such as having adequate heating, ventilation, and sanitation facilities. You should also consider factors like accessibility, parking, and zoning regulations when determining the best location.

Final thoughts

Renting out a tiny house on Airbnb can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to do plenty of research and preparation. By creating a strong listing, offering essential amenities, and being a warm and welcoming host, you can attract a range of interesting guests to your Airbnb tiny houses.

Remember to keep legalities, tiny house insurance, cleaning, maintenance, and security in mind to ensure that your guests have a safe and comfortable stay. If that sounds like a lot, iGMS can help you with that.

iGMS is a vacation rental software that helps hosts to manage and automate their vacation rental business. Software like ours can help you with the following:

• Managing multiple accounts and listings on the top OTAs from a single interface.
• Synchronizing reservations across multiple platforms to eliminate double bookings.
• Using the unified inbox to organize your messages into a single feed to ensure prompt replies.
• Using automated templates and triggered messaging to improve communication.
• Automating the process of guest review send-outs.
• Creating and coordinating cleaning tasks with live tracking to completion.
• Task creation and team management with access control.
• Managing direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit.
• Adjusting pricing by means of Pricelabs and DPGO integrations.
• Securely processing payments via integration with Stripe.
• Creating essential reports on your business results within minutes.