Can You Airbnb Your House If You Have A Mortgage? Yes! You can list your house on Airbnb even if you have a mortgage. I have three different homes listed on Airbnb right now, and all three have mortgages. We’ve leveraged these investments to replace my wife’s full-time income. However, this doesn’t mean you can just list your home whenever you want.
Just because you own a home doesn’t necessarily mean you can do whatever you want with it. Some mortgages have wording that requires you to inform or obtain permission before listing your home on sites like Airbnb. So, let’s make sure that you’re in the clear to list your home and the steps needed to do so!
Do I need to tell my mortgage company?
The answer is almost always yes if it will be rented. Almost all mortgages require that you get permission beforehand when you intend to rent out the property. Here’s the scenario. You bought a home a few years ago, and now your family is growing, and you’re moving on to a bigger property. Or maybe you’ve just decided that living in one place isn’t for you – in any case, renting out your home seems like an easy way to make money and help others.
Listing a Primary Residence
If you’re looking to rent out your primary residence, there are several things you’ll want to consider before contacting potential tenants. For starters, look into your mortgage company’s policies regarding renting out a portion of your home or the entire property. Some companies may have no issues with this arrangement, while others may take issue with it. Furthermore, seriously consider continuing to live in the home to increase your chances of approval.
Listing a Second Home (non-primary residence)
If you’re considering listing your second home as a vacation rental, you need to consult with your lender first. They may or may not approve and will likely have a different response than if you were listing your primary residence.
If you’ve purchased a home specifically to rent out on Airbnb, then the process would be the same, but we advise that you consult with your lenders before deciding to purchase, so you know what to expect later on.
Other Caveats
To ensure that you don’t break the terms of your mortgage when you list your property on Airbnb, I’ve brought up a couple of items that can trip up landlords.
Property Insurance
Property insurance is specially designed for homes that are used as vacation rentals. It’s an essential part of running your business smoothly and worry-free, protecting you from damage caused by guests and claims lodged against you by guests. Without it, should something go wrong, you could be left with serious financial losses.
Some home insurance providers offer specialized property insurance for hosts renting their properties on Airbnb, while others might require you to get it elsewhere. Either way, shopping around is essential for finding the right product for your needs.
Local City Ordinances
A problem that can arise is local city ordinances. With Airbnb becoming such a huge market for travelers, some cities are seeing property prices skyrocket. This has the citizens of these places unhappy, and in some cases, they are fighting to make Airbnb illegal.
Make sure your city allows Airbnb listings. Some cities require anyone listing a property to have a registered permit with the city. Plan your investment strategy around the possibility of local ordinances changing if your business does change.
Conclusion
You can absolutely list your property on Airbnb if it has a mortgage. But, it’s incredibly important that you speak with your lender and verify with them that renting your property out on a short-term basis is allowed. You also need to make sure that your home insurance policy covers short-term rentals and check the laws in your city regarding Airbnb rentals. And as always, don’t forget to register your property with the city!
