Short-term renting is a popular option for property owners in Australia, especially those looking to make some extra income by renting out their homes, apartments, or spare rooms. The rise of the sharing economy has also made it easier for individuals to list their properties on various online platforms. In this article, we will explore some of the popular platforms where you can list your property for short-term rent in Australia, their benefits, and how much they charge.
Airbnb
Airbnb is a popular platform for short-term rentals and is available in more than 220 countries. It is the most well-known platform for short-term rentals in Australia and offers a range of properties from shared rooms to entire homes. Airbnb charges hosts a service fee of between 3-5% per booking and guests a service fee of up to 14.2% of the total booking price.
Benefits of Airbnb:
- Large customer base and brand recognition
- Flexible pricing and availability settings
- Ability to communicate directly with guests
- Hosts/property managers are able to review each booking individually before deciding whether to accept it
Stayz
Stayz, Australia’s original holiday rental website, is powered by the world class technology of Vrbo and is part of Expedia Group. The platform has over 40,000 holiday rentals across Australia and offers a range of properties, including apartments, villas, and holiday homes. Stayz charges a per-booking fee – 7% if you use Stayz’s online payment method and 10% if you use an offline method that goes directly between guest and host
Benefits of Stayz:
- High website traffic, plus it is owned by Expedia so listings are promoted internationally on sister sites such as HomeAway and VRBO
- Dedicated customer support team
- Ability to communicate directly with guests
Booking.com
Booking.com is a popular platform for short-term rentals and is available in more than 220 countries. It offers a range of properties, including hotels, apartments, and holiday homes. Booking.com charges hosts a commission of between 10-25% per booking.
Benefits of Booking.com:
- Large customer base and brand recognition
- Flexible pricing and availability settings
- Dedicated customer support team
- User-friendly website and app
Homestay
Homestay is a platform that connects travelers with hosts who offer a room in their home. It offers a more personal experience and the opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in local culture. Homestay charges a service fee of 15% of the total booking price.
Benefits of Homestay:
- Personal experience for guests
- Ability to communicate directly with guests
- No subscription or listing fees
FlipKey
FlipKey is a platform that is owned by TripAdvisor and offers a range of short-term rentals, including apartments, villas, and holiday homes. FlipKey charges hosts a commission of 3% per booking.
Benefits of FlipKey:
- Large customer base and brand recognition
- Flexible pricing and availability settings
- Ability to communicate directly with guests
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Pupsy Pet Friendly Accommodation
Pupsy is a platform, designed to bridge the gap between dog owners and dog-friendly businesses, making it easier than ever for dogs and their human parents to create unforgettable memories together.
Our primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for dogs and their human companions. We understand that dogs are more than just pets; they’re cherished family members. That’s why we are dedicated to creating a world where dogs are not just tolerated but truly welcomed. Pupsy charges hosts a commission of 3% per booking, plus 10% is added to the rates.
Benefits of Pupsy:
- Increased Visibility
- Higher Occupancy Rates
- A Competitive Edge
- Access to a Niche Community
Additional Support and Promotion: Pupsy actively promotes pet-friendly properties through various marketing channels, including social media, email newsletters, and partnerships. This means that your property benefits from additional exposure and promotion.
Riparide
Riparide is a platform that connects adventure seekers with unique holiday properties in Australia and New Zealand, and most recently, in the US. By listing a holiday property with Riparide, property owners can benefit from increased exposure to a community of adventure enthusiasts who are looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences. Riparide charges a commission of 10% on each booking made through the platform.
Benefits of Riparide:
– Increased bookings: By listing a property on Riparide, property hosts can reach a wider audience of adventure seekers who are specifically looking for unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
– Hassle-free management: Riparide takes care of all the booking and payment processes, so property owners can focus on providing a great experience for their guests.
– Personalized support: The Riparide team is dedicated to helping property owners succeed, and offers personalised support to help them optimise their listings and attract more bookings.
Direct Bookings
In addition to listing your property on short-term rental platforms, you can also consider direct bookings. This is where guests can book your property directly through your website or social media channels, without going through a third-party platform. Direct bookings can be beneficial as they allow you to have more control over the booking process, including pricing and communication with guests. One of the main advantages of direct bookings is that you can avoid paying fees or commissions to the platform.
Benefits of Direct Bookings:
- Increased revenue: direct bookings can help you earn more revenue as you don’t have to pay commission fees to third-party platforms
- Better communication: Direct bookings allow you to communicate directly with your guests, which can help provide better service and address any concerns or questions the guests may have.
- More control: When guests book directly, you have more control over the booking policies, cancellation policies, and other terms and conditions. This can help create a better guest experience and ensure that your property is being managed in a way that meets your standards.
- Higher occupancy rates: By offering direct bookings, you can attract guests who prefer to book directly with the property owner rather than through a third-party platform. This can help increase occupancy rates and reduce the number of empty nights.
- Increased loyalty: Direct bookings can help build a relationship of trust and loyalty with your guests. By providing a great experience, guests are more likely to return for future stays and recommend the property to others.
Important things to consider:
- It can be more challenging to attract guests as you don’t have the same level of exposure as you would on a platform with a large customer base. To encourage direct bookings, you can offer incentives such as discounts or additional amenities.
- You will need to handle all aspects of the booking process, including payment processing, property management, and guest communication. This can be time-consuming and may require some technical skills, such as setting up a booking system on your website.
- It’s also important to mention that hosts are more exposed when guests book directly because they have limited protection, verification, and mediation mechanisms compared to using a reputable platform that provides security and support measures.
Overall, direct bookings can be a viable option for property owners who want to retain more control over the booking process and avoid paying fees to third-party platforms. However, it’s essential to consider the benefits and drawbacks of direct bookings and decide whether it’s the right option for your property and your goals.
When it comes to managing your vacation rental listings across multiple booking platforms or through a direct booking website, it can be a challenge to ensure that everything stays in sync. You don’t want to risk double bookings or inconsistent pricing and communication with guests. That’s where a property manager can make a significant difference. An experienced property manager or a co-host can efficiently manage your listings across different platforms, keeping your availability, pricing, and communication consistent and up-to-date. With their help, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of renting out your property without the added stress of managing it all on your own.
