Mid-term rentals are becoming the go-to option for Airbnb hosts who want fewer turnovers and more predictable income. They offer furnished spaces for extended periods that appeal to digital nomads, workers on assignment, and families between homes.
If you’re already hosting on Airbnb, you might be wondering whether it’s worth switching to this business model. Sure, it’s easy enough to change your settings. But questions about pricing, policies, and how to manage longer stays can make the shift feel uncertain.
So, let’s show you how simple it can be! Our guide covers everything you need to attract, host, and manage mid-term guests successfully. We include a few tips from seasoned Airbnb operators for some first-hand insights on how to get started.
Understanding mid-term rentals on Airbnb
Mid-term rentals are listings offering stays of a month to a year, filling the gap between vacation rentals and long-term leases. They’re usually tailored toward people looking for temporary accommodation.
In recent years, Airbnb has begun to cater to the mid-term rental market to compete with alternatives like Vrbo and Furnished Finder. The platform has introduced tools to support longer stays, such as filters and monthly discounts.
An increasing number of Airbnb operators are jumping on the trend. Natalia Soler, owner of Pass the Keys, says mid-term rentals have become a more lucrative option now that governments have begun passing restrictive legislation. “In Scotland, the introduction of licensing has affected the supply of short-letting accommodation across the board,” she says, “And many landlords have had to pivot to mid-term bookings.”
Extra demand is another factor. Realtor and Airbnb Superhost, Amy Pedersen, says bookings have increased significantly over the last year due to people moving more often. “The biggest drivers are families in transition,” she says, “Relocating for work, waiting on new construction, renovating their current home, or selling one house before the next one is ready.”
Pros and cons of Airbnb mid-term rentals
Before diving in, it’s important to get a clear idea of what Airbnb mid-term rentals might mean for your business. This section will help you weigh the pros and cons so you can decide if mid-term rentals are a good fit for you.
Pros:
- More reliable cash flow and income
- Lower cleaning and turnover expenses
- Less admin and marketing involved to fill your calendar
- More trustworthy guests, like professionals and families
- Easier property management due to fewer check-ins and orientation
Cons:
- Higher guest expectations
- Possibility of complex and hard-to-meet regulations
- Dependent on local demand
- Fewer opportunities for personal use
- Harder to quickly adjust strategies
Pederson notes that hosts are more likely to repeat the benefits and avoid the downsides when they have a strategy. “It really comes down to controlling the calendar,” she says, “It’s tempting to let a property start booking out with short-term weekend stays months in advance, but we intentionally block certain windows so the home is available when those mid-term needs arise. It gives us steadier income and smooths out the highs and lows of short-term travel seasons.”
Who typically books mid-term rentals on Airbnb
Understanding your target market is key to success in mid-term rentals. They’re different from typical Airbnb users and have a distinct set of needs and preferences you need to consider.
Here’s a look at who you’ll be appealing to:
- Traveling professionals: Salespeople, nurses, and consultants often have to travel for assignments. Their employer usually arranges temporary accommodation for them, often by liaising with mid-term rental operators.
- Remote workers: There are over 60 million remote jobs worldwide, and that number is only going to grow. Workers often take advantage of their newfound flexibility by travelling around and staying in new places for extended periods.
- Relocating families: When people move cities or countries, they don’t always have somewhere to live immediately. They look for temporary accommodation while they look for more permanent housing.
- Students: Sometimes, people take short courses and need somewhere to stay for a semester or two.
- Displaced people: Natural disasters and emergencies can leave families without their homes for a while. They may book your accommodation while they sort out the insurance and arrange repairs.
How to book mid-term guests on Airbnb
Once you’ve decided that mid-term rentals are right for you, there are a few steps to take.
Decide whether your property is suitable
Check whether there’s a demand for mid-term rentals in your area. The easiest way is to search local Airbnb listings, filter for extended stays, and analyze the listings. Properties with competitive prices and limited availability will suggest there’s a reasonable demand in your area.
Pederson notes that your proximity to facilities is often the biggest decider. She says, “Homes in strong school districts, near hospitals or major employment hubs, tend to do really well.”
Also, consider whether your property is suitable for monthly stays. Soler says they need to be spacious for people to live in them comfortably for long periods. “Larger properties with three or four bedrooms can make it more economical for companies that normally assign one person per room,” she adds, “So having three or four sharing a house is comfortable and works out better financially.”
Check requirements for mid-term rental properties
Confirm you’re allowed to run mid-term rentals in your area. Regulations have tightened, and some jurisdictions no longer allow you to accept guests in residential areas.
But don’t worry — laws are generally favorable toward mid-term rentals. They may prevent you from regularly accepting bookings for less than a month, but they shouldn’t stop you from operating altogether.
Also, check whether you need to obtain a permit. You may need to meet certain conditions before you can get licensed, such as undergoing checks, installing safety equipment, and creating a rental agreement.
Optimize your business for mid-term guests
When converting your space for mid-term rentals, think about what your target audience is going to value the most. “Guests staying 30–90 days don’t care about trendy décor as much as they care about solid WiFi, a comfortable bed, a workspace, a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and storage,” Pederson says, “If they’re relocating or in between homes, they’re looking for function over flash every time.”
Invest in high-quality furniture and appliances to the extent that your budget allows. Business travelers are used to hotels, so they’ll have high expectations of your property. However, the investment should pay off as your business becomes more profitable.
Price your property for longer stays
Benchmark your property against local Airbnb listings. Similar properties can give you an idea of how much to charge for your property and what discounts to offer.
Soler says it’s important to balance costs against your clients’ budget. “A fair monthly rate has to cover costs for the host, but at the same time be attractive to the booker,” she says, “After working with several companies that regularly require accommodation in the area, we understand their budgets and can help link them up with the appropriate accommodation.”
It’s typical to offer a discount for mid-term lets. For example, Soler says, “We offer at least a 25% discount on the standard prices shown on platforms for an extended stay.”
Attract and convert mid-term guests
Make sure your Airbnb listing appeals to mid-term guests. Before anything else, that means checking that you have applied the right settings so users can find and book your property. Simply go to your calendar and increase your maximum stay so you appear in filters for extended stays.
Then, show that you’re set up for mid-term guests in your Airbnb listing. You should include photos of amenities like workspaces and kitchens in images and use keywords like “fast WiFi” to get their attention.
Manage longer stays effectively through automation
Once guests stay for months, keeping up with communication, payments, and maintenance can become time-consuming. Automation keeps operations running smoothly without giving you more to do.
Invest in a Property Management Software (PMS) with a unified inbox like Hostfully to automate messaging. You can create templates with fields and triggers to send to guests at critical moments in their stay. This helps you stay connected and responsive to their needs without spending a lot of time drafting emails.
Additionally, use your PMS to automate task management. Hostfully enables you to automatically schedule shifts and send checklists to staff so you can stay on top of cleaning.
PMS also automates check-in so you can ensure a smooth start to the stay. Hostfully integrates with keyless locks to give guests immediate access to the property and sends them a unique code. Instead of waiting around for you and feeling forced to make small talk, they can just make themselves at home.
Common challenges to using Airbnb for mid-term rentals and how to overcome them
While mid-term rentals offer many benefits, hosting longer stays on Airbnb comes with its own set of challenges. Knowing how to address them can help you keep operations running smoothly:
- Slow first months: Long-term guests will be more picky about where they stay, so newcomers may find it difficult to get those early bookings. Build trust by demonstrating how you can meet their needs and focusing on getting positive Airbnb reviews.
- Balancing short-term rentals and long-term rentals: Mixing both can create conflicts in your calendar, as small stays can block larger bookings. Decide which strategy you want to commit to, or see whether you can switch to mid-term guests at quieter times of year.
- Limited interest: While Airbnb supports monthly rentals, it’s designed for vacation homes. List on other sites to make sure you’re reaching as many potential guests as possible and boosting your occupancy rate.
- Challenging property management: Guests still expect regular check-ins and cleans even during long-term stays. Outline your typical schedule in your listing description, but give them the option to choose more convenient times for them.
- Stricter cancellation policies: Last-minute cancellations can leave you with weeks to fill when you’re a mid-term rental host. Consider whether you need to adjust your flexible Airbnb policies to give yourself more time to prepare.
Streamline your mid-term bookings with Hostfully PMS
Mid-term rentals can give you the best of both worlds: reliable income with less turnover and better-quality guests. The key is understanding what these guests value and setting up your Airbnb properties to match. Once that foundation’s in place, the right systems make it easy to manage longer stays without extra work.
Hostfully PMS consolidates your operations so you can save time and deliver a consistently great experience for guests staying weeks or months at a time.
With Hostfully, you can:
- Automate messages and check-ins to keep guests informed throughout their stay
- Manage security deposits and payment collection seamlessly
- Share digital guidebooks with long-term guests for easy self-service
- Schedule cleanings and maintenance tasks automatically
- Integrate with dynamic pricing and insurance tools for added control
- Track performance metrics to see what’s working for your mid-term strategy
With everything in one place, you can focus less on admin and more on growing your portfolio and creating a mid-term rental business that works for you.
FAQs about booking mid-term guests on Airbnb
What is considered a mid-term rental on Airbnb?
A mid-term rental on Airbnb is considered to be any listing that accepts bookings for extended periods. While definitions vary, they usually offer stays for anywhere between a month and a year. Airbnb supports mid-term rentals on the platform with long-stay filters and monthly discounts to help you attract the right guests.
Do I need a separate rental agreement for mid-term stays?
Yes, mid-term stays often need a separate rental agreement. Many jurisdictions treat extended stays differently from short-term lets and may require you to have a legal contract with guests. But even if there are no local requirements, it’s still wise to have your terms and conditions in writing to protect your business.
How can I attract more mid-term guests to my Airbnb?
You can attract more mid-term guests to your Airbnb by tailoring your property to their needs and adjusting your marketing strategy. First, make sure you have everything people need for an extended stay, including reliable WiFi and a full kitchen. Then, highlight these in your Airbnb listing in the description and photos.
What are the benefits of hosting mid-term rentals?
Mid-term rentals can provide you with more reliable income while reducing costs. Guests stay longer, so you’re likely to find there are fewer gaps in your calendar. You also spend less on cleaning due to the reduced turnover and experience less property damage, since travellers tend to be more respectful.
