Understanding long-term rental on Airbnb

In a world where professional and personal mobility is increasing, long-term rental via platforms like Airbnb is establishing itself as a flexible and efficient solution. This type of accommodation responds to a growing demand from travelers seeking lodging for extended periods, ranging from one month to several months, or even a full year. Students seeking temporary housing in their university city, employees on missions or expatriates—all benefit from this offering that combines flexibility and comfort. This form of rental offers a compromise between the rigidity of traditional leases and the flexibility of short stays, adapting to current needs of tenants and landlords.

Airbnb, traditionally focused on short-term stays, has expanded its range of services by increasingly highlighting long-term stays, meaning a minimum duration of 28 days. This expansion, aligned with trends observed on other platforms such as Vrbo, Booking.com, or Expedia, opens new perspectives for property owners wishing to maximize the profitability of their assets without the constraints of intensive management associated with frequent turnovers.

In this context, long-term rental via Airbnb must be approached from several angles: specific rental conditions, advantages and limitations for hosts and tenants, as well as criteria to consider for optimizing this experience. It’s also important to understand regulatory, tax aspects, and existing alternatives on competing platforms such as LeBonCoin, Homelidays, Tripadvisor, Pap.fr, SeLoger, or Welkeys. This comprehensive overview allows a better understanding of the concrete opportunities presented by long-term rentals in 2025.

1. What is long-term rental on Airbnb and how does it work?

Long-term rental on Airbnb refers to the possibility for a traveler to book accommodation for at least 28 consecutive days. This option, initiated in 2011 with the “Airbnb Sous Location” feature, has since evolved into a strategic segment of the platform, offering greater visibility and specific optimization tools for hosts and tenants.

This category of stay now has a dedicated section during searches, facilitating access. For hosts, this means they can offer customized discounts, weekly or monthly, tailored to the needs of long-term tenants. The cancellation policy is also adjusted to account for the prolonged nature of the stay.

For example, a landlord owning an apartment in Paris might decide to rent it for nine months to a student undertaking a university year in the capital. This type of rental guarantees steady occupancy and simplified management, since occupant changes are less frequent. On average, properties listed for long-term rent on Airbnb show stable profitability, provided the rates are well calibrated with monthly discounts and appropriate cancellation conditions.

• 📌 Minimum stay of 28 days
• 📌 Possible discounts weekly and monthly
• 📌 Special cancellation policy for long stays
• 📌 Featured in a separate category
• 📌 Easier management of tenant rotations

This option thus allows for a new way to monetize your real estate assets, reducing vacancy periods while meeting traveler needs. It now remains to understand the conditions and practices to adopt in order to maximize benefits from long-term rental on Airbnb.

2. How to estimate the rental potential of your property for a long-term lease?

Before engaging in long-term rental on Airbnb, it is essential to correctly assess the potential of your accommodation. This involves several aspects: location, property configuration, demand in the targeted area, as well as the competition present on various platforms such as LeBonCoin, Pap.fr, SeLoger, or Welkeys.

Fortunately, several online tools allow quick and reliable estimates. For example, some sites only require the address and number of rooms to provide an instant estimate of the expected monthly rent. These tools consider up-to-date market data, prices practiced on Airbnb and its competitors (Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, Homelidays, Tripadvisor), as well as typical stay durations in the region.

However, relying solely on a rough estimate is not enough. A more detailed analysis should consider:

• 📍 Type of interested travelers (students, professionals, expatriates);
• 📍 Seasonality and local real estate dynamics;
• 📍 Quality and added services to enhance the offer;
• 📍 Level of equipment and furnishings in the accommodation;
• 📍 Direct competition on Airbnb and other mentioned sites.

This thorough preparation helps set a competitive rent while maintaining flexibility. For example, a high-end apartment in a vibrant neighborhood can demand a more moderate discount than one located on the outskirts. Conducting detailed research ensures better management of rental profitability, as well as anticipating demand fluctuations.

3. Advantages and specificities of long-term rentals on Airbnb for hosts

For property owners wishing to list their property on Airbnb, long-term rentals offer several specific advantages. One key point is the reduction of vacancy periods, which directly translates into optimized rental income. Instead of dealing with continuous short stays with all the work and uncertainties involved (managing check-ins/outs, frequent cleaning, renewing listings), a long-term stay allows for simplified management.

Here are the main benefits:

• 🛏️ Less turnover: Fewer rotations, leading to fewer cleaning and management costs.
• 💰 Stable income: Guaranteed rent for the entire period, often accompanied by an advantageous monthly discount.
• 📅 Easier planning: Less stress related to permanent reservations and finding guests.
• 📈 Increased visibility via the new Airbnb category “Long-Term Stay”.
• 🔧 Flexibility over duration: You can choose to host a tenant for a few weeks to several months.

Additionally, Airbnb has adapted its cancellation policy to the constraints of extended stays, which helps avoid unfavorable situations in case of late cancellations. The ability to offer a monthly discount incentive is also a powerful lever to attract long-term tenants.

It’s important to note, however, that long-term rental requires an in-depth analysis of your expectations and obligations, especially considering local regulations which may vary. For professional management, some hosts opt to use specialized concierge services such as those offered by companies like Concierge Angels, ensuring comprehensive management.

4. Essential criteria for choosing a long-term rental on Airbnb

Selecting a long-term rental on Airbnb requires careful attention to criteria that ensure comfort, safety, and suitability for your needs. Unlike a short tourist stay, a commitment of several weeks or months involves verifying specific details:

• 🛎️ Cancellation policy: prefer listings with a “Flexible” or “Moderate” policy for more security.
• 📍 Location: ensure the accommodation is close to amenities, transportation, and frequented areas.
• 🛋️ Complete equipment: equipped kitchen, reliable internet connection, comfortable workspace, etc.
• 🔒 Security: check reviews and descriptions to avoid surprises.
• 📅 Availability and flexibility: possibility to adjust the duration based on your real needs.

A second important aspect is comparing rates across multiple long-term rental platforms, including Airbnb, but also LeBonCoin, Pap.fr, Vrbo, Homelidays, or SeLoger. This approach helps you better understand the market and identify the best value for money.

The use of advanced search tools on Airbnb also allows filtering listings dedicated to long-term stays. These filters facilitate the selection of accommodation aligned with your expectations for commitments of several weeks or months. To go further, you can explore detailed advice on selecting long-term rentals.

5. Regulations and tax considerations to master for long-term Airbnb rentals

Renting out a property for the long term on Airbnb is subject to legal and fiscal constraints. In France, rules vary depending on whether you offer your primary residence, a secondary residence, or a property exclusively intended for rental. The law particularly governs the length of stays, declaration obligations, applicable tax status, and specific zoning rules in major cities.

It is important to note that the minimum duration of 28 days marks a threshold beyond which some rules change, especially regarding furnished rental taxation. Indeed, long-term rental is often considered as non-professional furnished rental (LMNP) under certain conditions, which offers advantageous tax regimes, including the possibility of amortizing the property.

Here are the key points to know:

• ⚖️ Legal minimum duration: 28 days to be considered long-term on Airbnb;
• 🏠 Declaration at the town hall: some urban centers require prior authorization for converting to tourist rentals;
• 💼 Taxation: LMNP regime often preferred, with declaration of non-professional furnished income;
• 📝 Lease and contract: not always a traditional lease, but a rental agreement via Airbnb;
• 📅 Maximum duration: in principle, Airbnb long-term contracts do not exceed 6 months to a year depending on circumstances.

Before listing a property for long-term rental via Airbnb, it is recommended to consult with an expert or a specialized notary, for example through sites like Notaire Immobilier, to ensure full compliance.

6. Comparison between long-term and short-term rentals on Airbnb

Short-term and long-term rentals on Airbnb serve different needs and entail specific implications for hosts. This comparison helps to consider the best rental strategy based on your profile, your property, and your availability.

• ⏳ Duration of stay: several days for short-term, at least 28 days for long-term.
• 🔄 Logistical management: high frequency of hosting in short-term, low in long-term.
• 💸 Pricing: higher daily rates for short stays, monthly rates often with discounts in long-term.
• 🧹 Cleaning: frequent cleaning required for short-term, less frequent cleaning for long-term.
• 📈 Profitability: short-term can be more lucrative over short periods, long-term offers stability.

Choosing between these two options also depends on your lifestyle. If you have little time to manage the accommodation, long-term rental may be more suitable. Conversely, if your property is in a highly touristy area, short-term rental could generate higher revenue during specific periods.

To deepen these differences, several specialized articles address the topic, notably those available on Concierge Angels.

7. How to optimize the management of a long-term rental on Airbnb?

Effective management of a long-term rental involves thorough preparation and rigorous organization. There are several aspects to consider to maximize tenant satisfaction while making the owner’s life easier.

Here are recommended practices:

• 🗓️ Set clear rules from the listing publication, especially regarding respect for the property and use of common areas.
• 📑 Use an appropriate cancellation policy for long stays to reduce uncertainty.
• 🧹 Schedule periodic maintenance to uphold the quality of the accommodation without disrupting the tenant.
• 🔧 Offer complementary services such as concierge services for remote management or occasional cleaning.
• 📞 Ensure responsive follow-up to quickly handle requests and prevent frustrations.

Engaging a concierge service like Concierge Angels allows you to delegate all management aspects: from greeting to billing, including maintenance and cleaning. This outsourcing provides peace of mind and guarantees a hassle-free experience for both host and tenant.

8. Future prospects and trends in long-term rentals in 2025

Long-term rental on Airbnb reflects a broader evolution in the real estate market and travel habits. By 2025, demand for modular temporary residences is increasing, driven by professional mobility and hybrid lifestyles such as telecommuting. This trend is reinforced by the growth of long-duration trips, with tenants seeking to settle in for several weeks in a fully equipped living environment, in contrast to simple tourist stays.

Among notable observations:

• 🚀 Greater flexibility in durations and rental conditions;
• 🤝 Enhanced value of complementary services such as concierge, rapid maintenance, and personalized welcome;
• 🌍 Broader tenant profiles, including entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and families in transition;
• 🔍 Expansion of platforms offering similar services to Airbnb, increasing competition and opportunities (Welkeys, SeLoger, Pap.fr);
• 📊 Optimization of rental income through artificial intelligence to dynamically adjust rates.

These trends suggest a harmonious evolution of the sector, beneficial to both owners and tenants. In 2025, long-term rental on Airbnb becomes an essential lever to leverage real estate more flexibly and accessibly.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about long-term rentals on Airbnb

• ❓ What is the minimum duration for a long-term rental on Airbnb?
  The minimum duration is 28 consecutive days.
• ❓ Can a discount be applied for long stays?
  Yes, rates can be adjusted with weekly and monthly discounts to encourage extended stays.
• ❓ What are the risks associated with long-term rentals?
  Risks include vacancy, unpaid rent, or damages, although an appropriate cancellation policy and good tenant selection reduce these risks.
• ❓ How to optimize management of a long-term rental?
  It is recommended to set clear rules, schedule periodic maintenance, and possibly use concierge services.
• ❓ Is long-term rental more profitable than short-term?
  Profitability depends on several factors. Long-term offers income stability, whereas short-term can generate higher revenue but less consistently.