2 unit rental with long term and short term?

Question

I have a duplex in town and wondered if anyone has experience with renting one unit long term and the other as an airbnb? Thanks.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

I don't have any experience but know it can be done. You'll just need to make sure your long-term tenets are ok with it and don't give you a headache.

Brooklyn McCarty · Answer

Never done it. I would make sure that the LTR knows the other side is a STR and that on your listings for the STR you are clear that one side is a LTR

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Lavon Stoltzfus, so if you can do it, like others have said, it might work OK.

You need to be upfront and straight with the LTR about your plan to STR the other side.

The benefits are that you have some eyes on the place. You could give the LTR a break on the rent if they keep an eye on the place for you. If there is something small that needs to be done, they could be the goto.

For example, some guests locked the bathroom door and couldn't get in. The special key was above the door jamb but was gone. My neighbor went over and opened it up with a tiny screwdriver. Funny but they did it again to the other bathroom door. Same thing...

That way you have some kind of support right there without incurring a $100 service call (or whatever).

Robin Searle · Answer

@Lavon Stoltzfus I did this with my STR triplex in Colorado Springs. I had a long term tenant in the front cottage and was short terming the back two units. Worked okay for a time but my long term tenant was a single lady and after about 6 months decided she just wasn’t comfortable with different people coming and going (I totally get it). Fortunately I had a long term single family that had just come available so moved her there. I furnished the front unit and now do short term with all three and it’s working wonderfully. Just my experience!

Andrew Steffens · Answer

We have done this before and it can work but also can often lead to issues.  You have one side who lives there full time and is making it a home and the other side is transient and likely will not be treating it like a home.  When we did it we had many complaints from the long term tenant (who can blame them) and then there were arguments that led to bad reviews from the STR guest.

Zach Edelman · Answer

Check and make sure legally allowed with city. Other than that, this should be fine.

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Lavon Stoltzfus If it’s legal you should be fine.

My contractor has been trying to convince me to do this in a few of my units that are well suited for it due to the potential increase in revenue but I am not interested. I had a B&B for 24 years and do not want to deal with this platform.

To each his own.

Best of luck. You can definitely rock it. Find a niche that sets your listing apart from the others near you and you will likely do better.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Lavon Stoltzfus, where is the duplex located? Are STRs legal in your neck of the woods?

2 unit rental with long term and short term?

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