Why hosts should consider monthly stays on Airbnb

Many STR hosts and Airbnb managers in Australia struggle with the same issues: fluctuating income and a constant stream of turnovers. During peak periods, bookings are plentiful but exhausting to manage. In quieter months, income dries up altogether.

Monthly and long-term stays on Airbnb (28+ days) offer a solution. They cut down turnovers, reduce cleaning costs, and bring in reliable income streams. At the same time, they serve today’s travellers: remote workers, families relocating, students, and business professionals.

For homeowners looking to balance strong earnings with less hassle, extended stays are worth serious consideration.

Why monthly Airbnb rentals in Australia are beneficial 

Airbnb has reported steady growth in extended bookings, with more guests choosing to stay weeks or months at a time. This shift is driven by remote work, relocations, and study opportunities.

For hosts, the benefits are:

• guaranteed income for longer stretches,
• lower operational costs thanks to fewer turnovers, and
• reduced booking gaps across the calendar.

For guests, extended stays mean:

• affordability, with long-stay Airbnb discounts built into longer bookings,
• convenience, with less disruption and more comfort, and
• a sense of stability in a “home-like” space.

As Dale from Hometime’s Revenue team explains, long-stay bookings are particularly appealing during low seasons. They guarantee income when shorter stays are harder to secure. Urban markets often see more of this demand, with guests booking longer stays to work remotely or relocate between more permanent housing. Regional homes also benefit when demand slows outside peak months.

The challenges of hosting long-term guests

While monthly stays on Airbnb have their perks, they do come with challenges that homeowners should consider:

• Wear and tear: Long-stay guests live in the property as they would at home. This means heavier use of appliances, furniture, and fittings. A deeper, more time-consuming clean is often needed afterwards.
• Insurance cover: Not every policy treats longer bookings the same as short stays. Homeowners should confirm coverage with their insurance providers before accepting extended bookings.
• Guest expectations: With longer stays, guests tend to be more critical of things they’re using day-to-day. They expect a reliable internet connection, well-equipped kitchens, and spaces that support daily living or remote work. Meeting these needs is key to positive guest reviews.

Rules and regulations for long-term stays on Airbnb

Beyond the practical side, there are also compliance factors to keep in mind for longer stays:

• Tenancy thresholds

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, stays longer than 90 nights may be considered a general tenancy, which makes it harder to end a booking. To avoid this, homeowners are encouraged to cap bookings below that limit.

At Hometime, we keep our stays under 90 nights in those regions and ensure homeowners are aware of the potential legal implications of longer-term bookings.

• Council and property-specific restrictions

Airbnb rules vary not only by state but also by local council and property type. For example, on the Gold Coast, most houses and townhouses have been effectively shut down for short stays, while apartments in approved zones may still operate with fewer restrictions. Metro areas tend to apply tighter oversight, while some regional councils are more lenient, but this isn’t always the case.

Key takeaway: Regulations differ by local government area (LGA), property type, and intended use, meaning there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Homeowners remain responsible for ensuring their compliance; that’s where an experienced property manager like Hometime can help alleviate the stress of managing council rules and regulations on your own.

Optimising your STR listing for extended stays

To appeal to long-term guests, you should optimise your listing to emphasise comfort and practicality.

Key steps include:

• Enable Airbnb’s “monthly-stay” filter to allow prospective guests to find and book your accommodation for stays of 28 nights or more.
  
• Showcase amenities that support daily routines for long-term stays, including laundry facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, storage space, and a reliable workspace.
  
• Use language tailored to extended stays, such as “move-in ready,” “ideal for relocations,” or “designed for students.”
  
• Feature photos that emphasise practical areas, such as desks, wardrobes, and dining tables, alongside welcoming interiors.

By presenting your property as complete and easy to settle into, you’ll attract guests seeking stability rather than a short break.

Pricing strategies for monthly bookings

Longer bookings often require discounted rates, but that doesn’t mean less revenue. At Hometime, we apply long-stay discounts across all markets to encourage these bookings.

Considerations for hosts:

• A single long-term booking often delivers more profit than multiple short bookings with gaps in between.
  
• Discounts should be balanced; it should be enough to attract guests, but not so much that it harms profitability.
  
• In high-demand markets like Sydney or the Sunshine Coast, modest discounts may suffice. In slower seasons, more generous discounts help secure a guaranteed income.

Unlike basic algorithmic pricing tools, our revenue specialists at Hometime blend automation with human oversight. Our team of experts fine-tune strategies weekly to account for market nuances and special property characteristics, ensuring rates are competitive and aligned with local demand.

How Hometime helps hosts with extended stays

Partnering with Hometime takes the stress out of managing long-term Airbnb bookings. We combine technology with local expertise to help homeowners earn more while doing less.

Here’s what we do:

• Smart pricing: Our revenue specialists combine dynamic pricing tools with years of internal data, ensuring you maximise occupancy and returns all year round.
• Guest vetting: Our team screens and vets all guests to reduce risks and keep your property secure.
• End-to-end property management: From handling contracts and guest communication to providing ongoing support, we manage every detail so you don’t have to.
• Local compliance guidance: We advise on state-specific rules, council restrictions, and insurance requirements so you stay covered.
• Property care: Our local teams coordinate cleaning and property maintenance, keeping your home in top condition between stays.
• Professional photography and styling: We showcase your home with high-quality photography and thoughtful styling to highlight its best features and attract long-term guests looking for comfort and value.

With Hometime, homeowners can capture the benefits of extended bookings, stable income, fewer turnovers, and less hassle, while leaving the day-to-day work to us. This means you can benefit from stable, predictable income without the stress of managing everything yourself.

Manage monthly stays on Airbnb with the support of Hometime

Long-term stays on Airbnb are more than a passing trend; they’re a powerful opportunity for both hosts and guests. For homeowners, extended bookings bring higher occupancy, reliable income, and less day-to-day stress. For guests, they offer affordable, practical accommodation that feels like a true home. This approach can also help reduce exposure to local short-stay restrictions, since many councils focus their rules on high-turnover or short-duration bookings. 

With the right setup, pricing strategy, and awareness of local regulations, extended stays can transform the way you manage your Airbnb property. And with Hometime handling the details, you can unlock stable income and enjoy the benefits without the added complexity. Speak with Hometime today to see how we can maximise your income while reducing the hassle. For more information, read our blog comparing short-term rentals (STRs) to long-term rentals (LTRs) in 2025.