T
hree years ago, Airbnb teamed up with major real‑estate firms to create the first “Airbnb‑friendly Apartments” initiative, a program that lets renters locate buildings permitting responsible part‑time hosting. The concept has since become a sought‑after amenity in both apartments and condominiums. Today the program covers more than 1,300 properties in over 75 markets, including international locations such as the UK and Brazil.

    With rent and mortgage rates still high, many tenants seek ways to boost their income. In the past year, an average part‑time host in the program earned roughly $3,900 from 34 nights of hosting—about 2½ months’ worth of U.S. rent. Across the network, 2,200 renters generated a combined $13 million in supplemental earnings.

    **Partner Spotlight: Apartment List and New Rental Discovery**

    This year’s priority has been expanding renter discovery through platform collaborations, notably with Apartment List. The platform recently introduced a dedicated “Airbnb‑friendly” filter and badge, simplifying the search for tenants who want to host. Property managers can now display their Airbnb‑friendly status directly on Apartment List, boosting visibility among high‑intent renters.

    The partnership has delivered measurable results. Participating buildings experienced up to a 1.5× increase in search impressions, 88% more property views, and 64% more high‑intent leads compared with non‑Airbnb‑friendly listings—evidence of growing renter interest and tangible value for owners and operators.

    Airbnb is also working with Entrata, a property‑management platform, to enhance leasing strategies. The first collaboration uses Airbnb listings within a building to allow prospective tenants to experience the community before signing a lease, creating a new touchpoint for leasing teams to connect with potential renters.

    These tech alliances align with Airbnb’s mission: enabling tenants to earn extra income while giving building partners revenue opportunities and tools to ensure responsible home sharing.

    **Federal Policy Shifts: Freddie Mac and Industry Advocacy**

    A major milestone this year was the coalition effort with NMHC, NAA, and leading owners and managers to modernize Freddie Mac’s loan policy. The group advocated for a standard rider that permits tenant hosting in multifamily properties, with sensible safeguards: a 180‑night annual cap per tenant and limits on the number of units that can host simultaneously.

    This policy change marks a significant evolution in how short‑term rentals are viewed within property financing. What began as a niche amenity is now recognized as a mainstream, policy‑backed solution that benefits renters and offers owners greater flexibility.

    **Success Stories and Future Directions**

    Top REITs—including five of the seven largest in the U.S.—have embraced the Airbnb‑friendly program through targeted marketing, creative incentives, and hands‑on host support. These efforts continue to help tenants discover hosting opportunities that make a real difference in their monthly budgets.

    Guest satisfaction remains high: Airbnb‑friendly stays receive an average rating of 4.82 out of 5, while hosts rate guests 4.95 out of 5, with particular praise for guests’ adherence to house rules.

    As rental prices stay elevated in many markets, interest from both tenants and property managers is growing. The team is focused on expanding partnerships, launching new integrations, and making Airbnb‑friendly living accessible to more people.

    The program’s progress—driven by technology, industry collaboration, and policy advances—has positioned Airbnb‑friendly real estate for an exceptionally promising next chapter.