The New Airbnb Commission: Who Will Pay the Price?
The apartment rental giant is shifting its fee structure, placing the financial burden directly on hosts. As experts warn against entering the market, property owners are already passing these costs on to guests.
A major policy shift at Airbnb is causing a stir among apartment owners in the USA. Previously, property owners paid the platform a 3% commission, while guests covered the remainder of the service fee at the time of booking. Now, the company is changing its model, charging a 15.5% commission directly to hosts. The stated goal is to show guests the final price upfront, but the result is that many landlords are simply raising nightly rates to avoid losing money.
This move has triggered a wave of frustration online, with some landlords considering leaving the platform or switching to long-term rentals. Industry experts explain that vacation rentals are by no means an effortless source of income, but a business requiring significant hard work. Jason Baxter, who manages a company in the sector, warns potential investors:
"If you are looking for easy money without working, don't touch it."
Beyond high commissions, there are many factors to consider before entering this business. Apartment owners must navigate intense competition, pay substantial sums for cleaning and maintenance, and remain wary of new municipal regulations prohibiting short-term tourist rentals. Sebastian Long, CEO of a major hospitality company, summarized the challenge:
"Hospitality should not be a hobby. It is a very serious commitment to host people in your home."
Airbnb's new rules demonstrate that renting apartments to tourists is no longer a simple, low-effort business suitable for everyone. Anyone seeking genuine profit must keep a close eye on every shekel spent. It remains to be seen how both hosts and travelers will adapt to this new, more expensive reality.
