How to publish your first Airbnb listing

If your property can lawfully be used as tourist accommodation, Airbnb may be one channel for marketing it. Before publishing, check that the activity is feasible and prepare both the listing and the day-to-day operation.

This article explains how to list your apartment on Airbnb and what to consider before welcoming travellers visiting your city.

AIRBNB

Airbnb allows you to create an accommodation listing, but an account does not authorise the activity. Whether you can let the property depends on the applicable rules, permissions and circumstances of the home and building.

Information to consider

First, ensure that your property meets the requirements to operate as tourist accommodation. Check the following:

1. Understand the regulations. Start with the rules for tourist apartments in your autonomous community. Tourism is a devolved responsibility, so holiday homes in Galicia, for example, do not have the same rules as those in Catalonia.

2. Licences and permissions. Review regional and municipal requirements, planning compatibility and the authorisations or declarations needed before starting. A platform accepting your listing does not replace these procedures.

3. The owners’ association. It is not enough to check that the building’s bylaws do not prohibit the activity. Review resolutions and any prior approval required for a new tourist activity under the Horizontal Property Act, considering transitional arrangements for existing activities.

4. Registration. Check the registers and identifying numbers required for your accommodation type, territory and marketing channel. Use the current official procedure, and do not confuse tourism registration with other planning or registry checks.

Steps to list your apartment on Airbnb

Once you understand and meet the necessary legal requirements, it is time for the creative part: create your holiday home’s listing.

1. Create a host account and complete the identity verification and details Airbnb requests. Login options and screens may change.

2. Specify the property type you have. Airbnb may offer categories such as apartment, house, secondary unit, unique space, bed and breakfast or boutique hotel.

3. Describe the accommodation, its location and the space being offered. Select only a type permitted by the rules at your destination: Airbnb offering a room option does not mean it can be marketed as tourist accommodation everywhere.

4. How many guests can stay? State the number of beds, bedrooms and bathrooms in the apartment.

5. List all the amenities provided: air conditioning, heating, hairdryer, appliances, Wi-Fi, television, barbecue, terraces, sauna, pool, gym, parking, private entrance and so on.

6. It is time to upload photographs of your apartment. These help future guests picture themselves in the property, so good lighting, cleanliness and attention to detail matter. Show every room so visitors understand what they will find on arrival.

7) Finally, set a price for your apartment. Airbnb may suggest a nightly rate based on similar properties nearby, but do not rely solely on that reference. Research the market and assess a price that works for your property.

Before opening the calendar, review cancellation terms, prices, restrictions and the fee structure applicable to your account. The host cannot always choose that structure. Prepare arrival instructions and support during the stay; good reviews depend on an experience consistent with the listing.

Do not worry: after publication, you can edit the listing to update amenities, improvements and any changes relevant to future guests.

We hope this article answers your questions. If you still need professional help or guidance on the next steps, ALEHOST can advise you from the outset and help optimise your listing and prices to make the most of your property.

Final checks before publishing

• Photographs, beds and amenities match what guests will find.
• Pricing has been checked for cleaning charges, discounts and commission.
• The calendar is synchronised with other channels.
• Important rules and limitations are visible before booking.
• Someone is responsible for enquiries, cleaning, faults and guest registration.

References: Horizontal Property Act and Airbnb fees.

For support preparing a listing and coordinating its marketing, explore Alehost’s remote rental management.