Expanding Airbnb-friendly Real Estate: New opportunities for renters and homeowners

Key Takeaways

Following our success in the US, we’ve expanded Airbnb-friendly Apartments internationally.
There are now over 750 buildings comprising over 200,000 units across the US that are part of the AFA program.
As of Q3 2024, more than 2,000 renters have earned income in AFA buildings across the US.

Two years ago—in partnership with some of the largest real estate companies in the US—we launched Airbnb-friendly Apartments (AFA) to help renters locate apartment buildings that would allow part-time hosting, something previously difficult to find. Since that time, we’ve been hard at work continuing to grow the program and today, we’re excited to announce the expansion of AFA underneath Airbnb-friendly Real Estate, which now also includes Airbnb-friendly Condos (AFC).

Airbnb-friendly Apartments expands to the UK

Following our success in the US, we’ve expanded Airbnb-friendly Apartments internationally, partnering with Greystar, a founding partner, to bring AFA to the United Kingdom. Renters at Sailmakers in Canary Wharf, Greenford Quay in West London, and Fizzy Walthamstow in East London now have access to Airbnb-friendly apartments with nearly 1,500units available across these locations.

Given the success of our partnership in the US, we’re pleased to help introduce Airbnb-friendly Apartments to the UK. It adds financial flexibility for residents and our community management teams have visibility into hosting activity, which means they can help ensure everything runs smoothly and there is no impact to the wider community. Maria Hatch, Senior Director, Client Relations at Greystar

With rental prices remaining elevated, 79 percent of UK renters are seeking ways to supplement their income, and 55 percent would consider home-sharing to earn extra money.¹ Similar to the US, many UK renters face restrictions in tenancy agreements, limiting their ability to offer their place for short-term let, for example, while on holiday. AFA offers renters a solution, providing landlords with oversight to help ensure responsible home-sharing while empowering renters to earn extra income.

Airbnb-friendly Apartments come with specific restrictions and hosting limits set by our partners to maintain a focus on occasional hosting, helping to ensure there is no impact on housing availability. All renters must comply with local short-term rental regulations, building policies, and Airbnb’s community standards.

An update on Airbnb-friendly Apartments in the US

With housing costs and mortgage rates remaining extremely high in the US, AFA has continued to grow as it enters its third year. There are now over 750 buildings comprising over 200,000 units across the US that are part of the program, with new partners like Geolo Capital, Roundhouse, Villa Serena Communities recently joining. Airbnb-friendly Apartments now include 12 of the top 50 National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Owners and 14 of the top 50 NMHC Managers.

With many renters continuing to find themselves cost burdened, AFA offers a valuable opportunity to earn income through Airbnb while they’re away. The sustained growth of AFA and the interest from partners to expand internationally demonstrate the versatility of this model. I’m excited to see it flourish. Jesse Stein, Global Head of Real Estate at Airbnb

As of Q3 2024, more than 2,000 renters have earned income in AFA buildings across the US. In the past two years, AFA hosts have earned more than $14 million.²

Airbnb-friendly Condos

In addition to expanding AFA, we’re pleased to announce the official launch of the Airbnb-friendly Condos (AFC) program. Building on successful pilot partnerships with developers PMG and Related Group, both of which have buildings under construction in Miami optimized for Airbnb-hosting, AFC offers streamlined tools for HOAs and property managers to facilitate hosting.

Developer GFO Investments is also an AFC partner and is optimizing Airbnb hosting for residents of its recently completed Gale building in Miami.

With the tools offered by Airbnb, it made too much sense to extend the ability to host on the platform to our residents, many of whom see the flexibility and investment potential as desired amenities for their condo purchases. Russell Galbut, Chairman of GFO Investments

Our partners consistently report strong demand for flexible condo living, including the ability to host on Airbnb. Given the success of our pilot projects, formalizing the Airbnb-friendly Condos program was the next logical step. We’re excited to build more partnerships with developers nationwide and eventually beyond, Stein added.

Jim Alderman was recently hired to lead the Airbnb-friendly Condo program, and is working toward expanding the program internationally to Latin America in 2025.

^{1. Airbnb commissioned opinion poll of 2,000+ UK adults who are privately renting and have at least one spare room in their property.}^{2. According to internal Airbnb data looking at AFA host earnings between Nov 2022 and Sept 2024.}

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

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