Can You Make Money from Renting Out Your Property on Airbnb, Booking.com, and Lekkeslaap?

We (Louis Nel) recently bought a property with a granny flat attached. The property came with a tenant, whom we had the option to keep. They were very reliable until they decided to move to Cape Town. We sourced another tenant in November 2024, but after a dispute, they left us in the lurch. What should we do?

By a stroke of luck or divine intervention, we saw a post on one of our community WhatsApp groups. The person asked for last-minute holiday accommodation. Should we take the bait? It was a great opportunity, but our flat was not furnished. We decided to give it a shot.

Here’s what we’ve learned in two months of renting out the property as a short-term rental.

How Should I Furnish My Airbnb?

Firstly, we had to furnish the property in record time. We spent the entire first rental deposit on furnishings. From experience and research, we decided to prioritize the following in our new short-term rental cottage:

• A quality mattress. People travel far and expect a premium sleep experience. Do not cheap out on your mattress. At the very least, ensure that it is a good-quality mattress that you would sleep on yourself. If you can, take note of mattress brands from great stays you’ve had and invest in something similar.
• Good-quality linen. A premium sleep experience isn’t just about the mattress—it’s also about the bedding. Avoid cheap polyester or blended polycotton linen. Opt for 100% cotton or real linen, which is more comfortable and breathable. It does require ironing and more care, but guests appreciate the luxury and are more likely to leave good reviews.
• A decent Wi-Fi connection and streaming channels. We didn’t have the budget for a new smart TV, so we bought a smart media stick or Android box instead. These offer the same functionality at a lower cost.
• Quality shower gel, shampoo, and soaps. Providing premium toiletries leaves a lasting impression and makes guests feel they’re getting good value. Nice cotton bath sheets and hand towels are also a must.
• Quality appliances and cooking utensils. At a minimum, you need a microwave, kettle, toaster, a small stove, and a refrigerator. Go for mid-range or high-end brands if you can afford it, as guests notice quality.
• Basic cleaning supplies. Stock a mop, broom, dustpan, and basic cleaning products for guests who want to tidy up during their stay.
• A well-stocked drinks station. Offer at least Jacobs instant coffee and Five Roses teabags. If possible, add a coffee plunger with good ground coffee or even a Nespresso machine.
• Outdoor amenities. Since our cottage is small, we invested in the outdoor area with furniture, a patio umbrella, and a braai. Use what you have to create a pleasant experience.
• Self check-in options. Many Airbnb guests prefer self check-in, especially for late arrivals. A key safe with a PIN code can offer convenience, but it removes the personal touch—choose based on your hosting style.

How to Get Bookings for Your Airbnb

Now that the difficult part was done, it was time to get bookings. We listed our unit on Airbnb, Booking.com, and Lekkeslaap. After two months, here’s where we stand:

• Total bookings: 12
  • 1 WhatsApp booking
  • 9 Booking.com
  • 1 Airbnb
  • 1 Lekkeslaap
• Nights occupied: 64 nights
• Occupancy rate: 71%

Income and Commissions For short Term Leasing

Different platforms have different fee structures, and it’s crucial to factor these into your pricing:

• Airbnb: Takes a service fee added on top of your booking fee. Including VAT, this totals 16%. There are also finance fees for receiving payments.
• Booking.com: Charges a 15% commission on your booking fee plus a 2% payment fee (totaling 17%).
• Lekkeslaap: Charges a R500 activation fee, a 15% service fee (excluding VAT), and a 1.8% payment handling fee, bringing the total to 18%. If you choose to receive funds via a virtual credit card, you can avoid the payment handling fee.

The best-case scenario is taking bookings via a self-managed website. But this requires handling deposits, following up on balances, and managing a booking calendar. The major platforms streamline this process, and their calendars sync to prevent overbooking.

Learning on the Job

The biggest challenge was being prepared for last-minute bookings. Booking.com allows very late bookings unless you adjust the settings—this led to two unexpected bookings. We had to cancel one due to overbooking and do a record-time turnaround for the other.

• Emergencies happen. Our only major issue was a blocked shower drain, which we resolved quickly. Be ready for unexpected maintenance.
• Guest behaviour varies. Most guests were respectful, but one couple left the cottage in a mess. Allow extra time for cleaning if needed.
• Early and late check-ins happen. While the standard check-in time is 14:00 and checkout is 10:00, some guests will ask for exceptions. One guest wanted to check in at 08:00, and another arrived earlier than expected.
• Unexpected guest requests. One guest wanted an extra blanket, even though it was summer in KwaZulu-Natal. Another needed an iron for a business meeting. Be prepared to accommodate small requests when possible.
• Longer stays are common. We had two couples who stayed for five nights, using the cottage as a base while visiting family and friends.

Considerations for the Future

• Keep extra linen sets. This speeds up turnaround and reduces pressure to do laundry between guests.
• Consider setting a minimum stay. A two-night minimum reduces workload but may eliminate last-minute, one-night bookings.
• Optimize online presence. Guests search for accommodation by typing “[area name] + accommodation” into Google. Booking.com and its partner sites rank well in search results, so listing there helps secure bookings.
• List your property on Google Maps. This increases visibility for guests searching via maps.

Final Thoughts

Switching from long-term to short-term rentals requires effort, but it can be rewarding. Our experience has shown that with the right setup and strategy, you can make money from property rental without having a full-time tenant. While challenges arise, flexibility, preparation, and smart planning can turn your property into a profitable short-term rental.