How to Find a Short Term Furnished Rental in NYC

There are an immense number of short-term apartments for rent in New York City (as many as 

 at the time this article was authored, and that’s in Manhattan alone). That can make sorting through all your options time consuming and cumbersome.

The short term rental market can get even more difficult when you are looking for furnished housing—especially if you don’t want to be staying in a sublet or Airbnb that lacks privacy or cleanliness. Often times the benefit of a furnished rental over a hotel is the feeling of living in a home, with comfort benefits like a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, or art and furniture that feel purposeful and contribute to a sense of place.

The good news is that, with so many options, there’s a bounty of ways to find the perfect short term furnished apartment for your budget and taste.

To help you manage this process, we created this step-by-step guide on how to get started, where to look, and what to watch out for when navigating the short term rental landscape in New York City.

Details to consider in a short term furnished rental

Best places to find short term furnished apartments for rent in NYC

1. How to pick the right neighborhood when looking for a short term lease in NYC?


New York City is made up of over 30 neighborhoods, each with a unique personality, distinguishing features, and rental pricing range. When deciding the right neighborhood for yourself, we broke down three important qualities to consider: (1) Price (2) Neighborhood Character (3) Commuting Distance. Below is a breakdown of how to navigate the three important tenants of finding your perfect short term rental.

Did you know the average price of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan is $5,014? This makes it currently 

 to live in America (followed by San Francisco and Honolulu).

However, an average is just an average, and there is a great deal of fluctuation by location. Historically, rent prices in Manhattan are highest between Midtown East and Lower Manhattan, with chic neighborhoods like Chelsea and Tribeca leading the way at average prices of $5,462 and $5,025 respectively. Other notable, desirable neighborhoods in this region are Soho, Gramercy, and West Village, all known for being a mix of quality nightlife and proximity to New York’s central office areas.

Once you go as far South as the financial district or north of Central Park, prices begin to cool down a little (for instance Upper East Side averages just $3,900 a month). Certain hip neighborhoods like East Village (known for having a lot of NYU students and new graduates) can give you prime location at more affordable prices of $3,798.

Cost savings can be found in outer boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens—or even Jersey City for renters willing to make the commute. However these neighborhoods are becoming increasingly popular as people look for more apartment space post pandemic, and neighborhoods like Williamsburg are approaching the price of their Manhattan counterparts.

What’s more, these rental averages do not include furnishings and are based on a 12-month lease term, so as you search for a short-term furnished rental, the prices will increase.

A good place to start budget wise is approximate 25-30% of your post tax monthly income (make sure to include total cost like utility and wifi). If you are staying in short term corporate housing you will most likely have a budget determined for you.

Do you like the hustle and bustle of Times Square? Do you enjoy walking to a Broadway show straight from the office? Then you may love Midtown neighborhoods like Murray Hill or Hell’s Kitchen. Hate noise and prefer quiet walks in the park? Upper West Side could be calling your name.

When living in New York, noise levels and sidewalk traffic are often some of the first things that jump out to you, as well as architecture, level of greenery, and of course, the quality of bars and restaurants (this is the city that never sleeps after all). Your needs and desires as a short term renter may differ from your needs as a long term lease holder, so keep in mind if you have a higher appetite for commotion if you want to make the most of your stay in New York.

If you’re relocating to the city, the best way to get acquainted is to ask friends who live in the city (or better yet a native New Yorker), and read through some of the 

. As they say, the only constant in New York is change, so you’ll want to make sure your info is up to date!

Ah, the dreaded commute! While we would all love to live a life untethered to work geography, the reality (especially in New York) is that most people will place a high consideration on how their home life affects their commute.

The good news is that unlike most cities in America, New York City has an extensive subway system, meaning physical geography doesn’t always translate to commuting time.

A good tip is to use Google Maps subway feature, or the 

 app, to see how long your commute will take you, as well as distances to other places you plan to frequent (for instance friends and family). Definitely pay attention to time of day during this process, as certain express lines can make daytime commuting a breeze, but aren’t active during nighttime or weekends.


Once you make a list of neighborhoods that fit your price range and convenience factors, you can then filter down by neighborhood character, and specific apartment quality. For instance, certain renters place a high value on pet-friendly accommodations, elevators, or a doorman. Others care a lot about style, preferring high ceilings, exposed brick, or conversely, a very modern look.

Only you will know your style, so make sure to understand what are your deal breakers and what are your soft wants, and filter accordingly during your search.



2.Tips to find the best price for short term rentals in NYC

New York City is consistently ranked as one of, if not 

 We put together some tips to get the most for your money when searching for and selecting a short term furnished apartment:

Both inventory and price of short term leases fluctuate with the real estate market. 

, June through September are the busy months for rentals, 

making December through March your ideal time to take advantage of price drops.

If your length of stay is flexible, take advantage of the relationship between length of stay and nightly or monthly rate offered. Property management companies like Rove, Sonder, and Blueground, typically reduce the nightly rate the longer you stay, which is especially beneficial if you’re looking for a monthly rental.

Look For How Fees Are Calculated (Including Hidden Fees). 

Don't take the first price you see in a search query at face value. Look out for hidden fees and pricing policies! Some rental listings, like Blueground’s, show the cheapest available based on a 

, meaning your cost will increase with a shorter lease term. Most apartment rentals show you monthly cost before the price of wifi, utilities, taxes, and broker fees are added.

3. What are the types of short term furnished rentals in NYC?

Most short term rentals in NYC can be sorted into one of three categories: (1) individually owned and operated, (2) individually owned and property management company operated, or (3) privately owned and operated.

It’s important to know who owns and rents your apartment, so you can understand what type of relationship you will have with management and the pros and cons of each in order to find your preferred type of rental.

Often featured on sites like AirBnb, Facebook Marketplace, and Craiglist, these types of rentals are owned, managed, and posted directly by the landlord or tenant of the space.

 This type of short term rental can offer a competitive price range, given the lack of service fees and direct involvement of the owner or landlord.

 Inconsistent furnishing and amenities with owners oftentimes leaving behind personal belongings. Additionally, particularly on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, you’re more likely to run into scams. Avoid scams with our guide to identifying a rental scam.

2. Individually Owned & Operated by Property Management Companies

A great option for second-home owners, this model allows the owner of the property to reap the financial benefit of renting the unit, but without the hassle of managing bookings, cleanings, customer service, etc. While the property management company will take a percentage of the guest fees to manage, it’s often worth the tradeoff to avoid the details and hassle of managing the property themselves.

You get a diverse variety of locations, property types, and amenities with the consistent quality of managed design, cleaning, and service standards.

 Service fees can result in higher price ranges.

The closest to a hotel experience, but with the comforts of home, this model means companies are buying out or in complete control of whole floors or buildings and both own and operate the units.

 Economy of scale offers hotel-level quality with the comfort of an apartment. And if you’re open to a roommate, many New York co-living options are perfect for short term rentals.

Less diversity in product, design, and neighborhood options.

4. Details to Consider in a Short Term Furnished Rental

Even with narrowing in on your preferred neighborhood, price range, and type of short term rental, there will still be an overwhelming number of options for your final selection. That’s where the final details of (1) amenities, (2) interior design, and (3) fee structure can help you pick your perfect place.

A key reason guests are drawn to short term rentals over extended-stay hotels is for the creature comforts of home. Each rental, whether offered through an owner or a property management company, will have a unique set of amenities that could make or break your experience in New York City. From fitness center access to the type of coffee maker in the unit, be sure to look at all the amenities offered and pick a rental that will make you feel most a home.

Do you prefer a simple, clean, modern aesthetic, or a more boho-inspired, warm, plant-filled space? Many property management companies have in-house interior design teams that curate each unit to align with their standards to ensure luxury finishes and a cohesive atmosphere. This can be a large advantage over individually owned rentals where cost can prohibit frequent furniture replacement, resulting in wear and tear over time.

Be sure to check for wifi, utility, furniture, and amenity fees when evaluating the price of each rental. If they don’t explicitly say ‘included’ you may end up with a surprise charge at the end of your rental period that you weren’t expecting.

5. The best places to find a short term furnished rental in NYC

With a rich understanding of the short term rental market and a strong set of parameters in place, you can begin your search with confidence!


There are two ways to enter the search landscape: through an (1) aggregated source or (2) direct.

When wanting a site that shows an aggregated list of short term furnished rental options, our recommendation is 

. It allows for filtering by neighborhood, amenities, and price, and shows options within all three of the above categories, providing the widest array of choices that align with your search criteria.

Other good options include RentHop, StreetEasy, LeaseBreak, AirBnb, VRBO, LineCity, PropertyClub, Plumguide, and Frēlē. Be sure to use our guide to avoiding rental scams when utilizing Craigslist or Facebook.


When searching directly, it’s important to have an idea of each offering before entering. Companies like 

focus on reliability, high-end amenities, and ergonomic workspaces. Blueground balances flexibility and style. Sonder takes over entire buildings or floors to offer hotel amenities without hotel formality. And roomrs utilizes a co-living model to entice younger renters with lower costs without sacrificing amenities. Direct booking sites are the best option for transparent prices and lower fees. And some sites like 

 have teams ready to help you find the best match in their portfolio.

 Looking for Luxury? AirBnb has a diverse range of options, including luxury offerings. If you’re seeking a more streamlined search approach, try 

. Rove, a property management company, specializes in luxury short term rentals and has inventory in an array of neighborhoods with premier amenities and services.



Intention + reliable information are the keys to success

By identifying what you want out of the space and surrounding area, knowing your budget, and using reliable sources to assess your options, you’ll be well on your way to finding a short term furnished rental in New York City that meets your needs!


Looking for short term rentals in NYC? Check out 

Our step-by-step guide to finding a short term furnished rental in NYC

How to Find Short Term Furnished Rentals in NYC

 domestic visitors took a Florida vacation in Q3 of 2022 alone, making it the 

 and a rich market for short term rentals (STR). However, the rules and regulations surrounding short term rentals vary from city to city, making it complicated and cumbersome to many second homeowners.

Whether you’re a first time vacation home owner or looking to make a little extra income on your beach house, it IS possible to navigate the Floridashort termrental market. It just takes some guidance on registration, regulations, and taxes on three levels: State, County, and Municipality.

The definition of a short term rental varies from state to state. In Florida, a short term rental is defined as ‘any individual lease agreement that is less than six months in duration.’ That’s a long duration compared to other popular tourist states like New York (30 days) or California (also 30 days), allowing for monthly rentals and making Florida even more appealing to vacation rental ownership.

 defines a vacation rental as “any group of units in a condominium, cooperative, or time share plan or any individually or collectively owned single-family, two-family, or four-family house or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment” and then separates them into two property types: dwelling and condo.


Florida State Laws Governing Short Term Rentals

No matter which Florida destination your short term rental is in, in order to be legally operating a vacation home as a short term rental in the state of Florida, property managers or hosts must first acquire a license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) based on their categorization as a dwelling or a condo, and then as a Single, Group or Collective registration within their category. These are indicative of the number of properties the host represents - 

 for multiple units in one building, and 

 applying to someone who is a host for multiple units in multiple locations.

Once you acquire the license, you can register with the Florida Department of Revenue. As the owner of the property, you’re responsible for collecting lodging taxes from guests and filing lodging tax returns with the state. As of January 2023, the state sales tax in Florida is 6% for short term rentals. So any time a guest makes a booking that is less than the legal six months total, a tax is applied and collected by the state.

Many hosting sites, like Airbnb, integrate the state taxes into the reservation experience. Airbnb collects the Florida Transient Rental Tax (6%), Florida Discretionary Sales Surtax (0.5-1.5%), and the County Tourist Development Tax (2-5%) for 24 counties in Florida as a part of their reservation. Hosts are however still responsible for collecting and remitting other taxes that are specific to their county and city.


Registration and Taxes at the Local Level

Florida state law allows local governments to pass rules to control negative effects of vacation rentals in their area. While they can’t ban short-term rentals entirely, they have been actively attempting to control the short term rental market in recent years, as the implications of STRs on a neighborhood, hospitality offerings, and local community can’t be ignored.
A key way they’ve attempted regulation is to require additional registration and taxes at the local level. Discretionary sales surtax, local option transient rental tax, local lodging tax and more may need to be collected depending on the county and municipality you are located in.


Navigating Your Florida County as a Short Term Rental

The first step in navigating your local requirements is to identify which county your vacation rental is in. Let’s use a condo unit in Miami Beach as an example.

When searching “short term rental rules in Miami-Dade County” the ordinance on the 

 website includes the following regulations:

A short-term vacation rental is for “a period of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less” 

(This means monthly rentals longer than 30 days would only be subject to the Florida State Sales tax, not the Miami-Dade County local option transient rental tax)

A maximum occupancy of 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons per property, up to a maximum of 12 persons, excluding children under the age of three

The responsible party must reside for more than six months per calendar year in the property being offered as a vacation rental if the property falls in Low Density Residential on the 

Compliance with designated legal safety features if a pool is onsite

Compliance with all residential requirements pertaining to solid waste disposal, noise, public nuisance, parking, advertising, pets, and anti-discrimination, disability and fair-housing regulations

In addition to the state registration and taxes, many counties require additional certifications or protocols. Miami-Dade County, for example, requires a Tourist Tax Account for collection of the monthly Convention and Tourist Development tax and annual inspection for and purchase of a Certificate of Use (CU).


Adhering to Additional Municipality Guidelines

With the county regulations and registrations covered, we head to the final layer – the municipality, which in the case of our example is Miami Beach.

At the municipal level, the main restrictions they can enforce surround zoning in specific neighborhoods or areas of their city. Miami Beach 

 (Sec 142-1111) and City Code (Sec 142-905 (b)) outline the zoning restrictions for vacation and short term rentals. As you can see on their 

, the zoning is quite restrictive. This use of zoning to prohibit short-term rentals is common in many dense or residential vacation destinations.

Once confirming your unit isn’t in one of the restricted areas, a Business Tax Receipt and Resort Tax registration certificate can be established.

So, in order to rent a condo unit in Miami Beach, Florida for less than 30 days or one calendar month, there are the following seven steps of registration, licensing and taxes before you can list your property:

Florida Department of Revenue Registration & Lodging Tax - 6%

Annual fee for inspection and certification - $136.17

Miami-Dade County Local Option Transient Rental Tax Rate + Miami Beach Resort Tax - 7%  

To make things more interesting, these laws and taxes are subject to change at the discretion of the governing body, so we recommend checking with the specific county or city government where your property is located to ensure you are adhering to the most up to date regulations.

If that all seems complicated and overwhelming, you’re not alone. Partnering with a property management company that handles all the required legal ins and outs like 

 is an easy way to make the process hassle-free.

 is another great option for people looking to invest in a vacation rental property and interested in a seamless process. Rove’s collection of vacation homes are vetted and ready to buy.


Which Counties in Florida allow for short term rentals?

In 2011, the state of Florida passed legislation restricting counties and municipalities from banning short term rentals outright, but if a local statute was already in place, they were grandfathered in. The only county that does not allow for short term rentals today is Lafayette, though counties like Calhoun and others make it very hard with zoning restrictions.

With the growing popularity of short-term vacation rentals, many counties have implemented local option transient rental taxes to benefit from the traffic in their area. More popular counties like Orange (Orlando), Volusia (Daytona Beach), Pinellus (St. Petersburg), Osceola (Kissimmee) and Broward (Miramar & Pompano Beach) have taxes as high as 6%, compared to less populous counties like Union and Sumter, which don’t have an additional local tax at all.

Which cities in Florida are most attractive for Short Term Rental Ownership?

As real estate prices skyrocket in cities like Cape Coral, picking a Florida destination for your short-term vacation rental can be guided instead by traveler trends and opportunity in the current short term rental market.

When evaluating based on search volume, the top 5 cities that travelers are seeking short term rentals in are:

The beautiful beaches of Naples draw more than a million visitors a year. With high-end shopping, world-class arts and culture, dining and millions of protected acres nearby, the destination is a popular pick for vacationers. Short term vacation rentals located within the City of Naples are exempt from the Collier County registration requirements, but are still subject to the additional 5% Tourist Development Tax of the county.



Considering owning a short term rental in Naples? 

Rove Travel is well versed in the market and has an existing collection

 in the destination. Homeowners can seamlessly join and enjoy the benefits of both Naples and Rove’s management company.

 Theme parks and water parks abound in this Bay-side city. Tampa sits within Hillsborough County. Their local option transient rental tax is 6%. The City of Tampa also requires a rental certificate, but no additional city taxes for STRs.

The offshore coral reef of Venice Beach attracts over 20 million visitors annually. And with a lower county (Sarasota) tax of 5% and a sales tax of 0%, it’s an attractive city for vacation homeowners.

 Just south of popular Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood is a 27 square mile, beachfront community that is rich with history, culture, and a charming downtown. Located in Broward County, it has a higher local tax at 6%, but the market is missing a luxury hospitality offering, leaving short term rentals a window of opportunity.

 A fishing and vacation mecca, the limited space leaves little occupancy at the hotels in the Florida Keys. And with high occupancy driving up nightly rates, vacationers are eager for the space and price afforded by a short term vacation rental. Monroe County has a local option transient rental tax of 5%, but there is little regulation of short term rentals in the county’s seat, Key West.

Which platform to list your short term rental on?

There are numerous websites for listing, booking, and payment for short term rentals. In Florida, if you’re looking to have at least one tax checked off your list, Airbnb and VRBO automatically collect and remit Florida state-administered lodging taxes when they receive guest payments. However, you would still be responsible for any local and county taxes.

: Airbnb remains the most well-known and fastest growing rental site. It’s often the first place people check, and you can benefit from the trust renters have in the brand. Additionally, listing your site on Airbnb comes with a $1 million dollar insurance policy on your property. However, while they don’t charge you to list your property, they do take a commission fee on bookings.

VRBO is another great option, especially if you have a larger property. They give you the choice of paying per booking or an annual fee of $499. So for premium properties in busy destinations(like many Florida cities), the annual option can be a way to save money on per booking fees.

 and Expedia, where you can leverage the flight and rental car search functions to get in front of potential customers coming to your city. However, that exposure comes with a higher fee. 

 has a 15% fee for all reservations and Expedia ranges from 10-30%.

Another route is to partner directly with a property management company like Vacasa or 

. Not only do they handle the registrations and taxes, bookings, cleanings, and customer service, they have dedicated platforms for booking that instill trust and quality.



Whether you’re a first time vacation short-term rental owner or a seasoned host, 

takes care of your home so you don’t have to. With collections in Naples, West Palm Beach, and Miami, Rove Travel has a keen understanding of the Floridashort termrental landscape and is here to help you enjoy the benefits of owning a short term rental in the Sunshine State.

The regulations, licensing and taxes you need to know about when owning a short-term rental in Florida.

Short Term Rental Ownership in Florida

Navigating Short Term Rental Ownership in Florida 

What is a Short Term Rental and What to Know as a Potential Property Owner

Short term rentals are quite the buzz these days. There seem to be endless options for overnight accommodation, and the cultural shifts from the pandemic have blurred the lines between traveling and living.

Month-long stays in remote destinations, the emergence of “digital nomads,” and more frequent midweek trips are redefining what a “short term rental” is and who they appeal to. Short term apartments have become more sought after, more competitive, and more lucrative. As travel and tourism pick up pace, it seems like the perfect time to list your second home on a platform like AirBnb or buy an investment property.

Here are the ins and outs of short term rentals to help you decide if it’s the right time for you to join the STR landscape.


A short term rental is a “furnished property that is rented out for a short period of time.” Most people consider a short term rental to be a stay of fewer than 30 days, but with the rise of remote work, and longer-stay uses like corporate housing and extended stay beginning to take advantage of short term rental properties, the understanding of an STR is evolving.

Whether a residential property, an accessory dwelling unit (like a garage apartment or carriage house), a single-family home, or a townhome, short term rentals are a great way to earn extra income for second homeowners or people who are frequently away from their primary residence. Many traditional landlords are even opting to list their apartments for rent as short term rental properties because of their income potential and popularity compared to traditional long-term rentals.

What are the Different Types of Short Term Rentals?

Private homes: These are single-family homes or apartments that are rented out by the owner for short periods of time. Private homes can range from small, cozy apartments to large, luxurious houses, and can be a good option for families or groups who want more space and privacy than a hotel room can offer.

Villas: A villa is a large, privately-owned property that is often set in a scenic location, such as near the beach or in the countryside. Villas can be rented out to tourists and often include amenities such as pools and outdoor recreation areas.

Cabins: Cabins are small, rustic vacation homes that are often located in wooded or natural areas. They can be a good option for travelers who want to experience a more secluded or outdoor-oriented vacation.

Condos: A condo is a type of vacation rental that is located in a larger building or complex, such as a beachfront high-rise or a ski resort. Condos are often fully furnished and can offer a range of amenities, such as fitness centers and pools.

Beach houses: A beach house is a type of vacation rental that is located near the beach and is often designed with a beach-themed decor. Beach houses can be a good option for travelers who want to be close to the sand and sea.

Why short term rentals generate more revenue vs. long term rentals?

1. Higher rental income: Short-term rentals tend to have higher rental rates compared to long-term rentals, especially in popular tourist destinations. This can lead to higher rental income for the owner.

2. Greater flexibility: With short-term rentals, you have the flexibility to choose when to rent out your property and for how long. This can allow you to maximize your rental income by adjusting your pricing and availability based on demand.

3. More control: As the owner of a short-term rental, you have more control over the property and the rental process. This can allow you to customize your property and the guest experience to meet the needs of your target market.

4. Tax benefits: There may be tax benefits to owning a short-term rental, such as the ability to claim deductions for expenses related to the property.

5. Appreciation potential: Depending on the location of the property and market conditions, vacation rentals may have the potential to appreciate in value over time.

However, it's important to keep in mind that owning and managing a short-term rental can also be more time-consuming and require a greater level of customer service compared to long-term rentals. It's important to carefully consider the pros and cons before making the decision to invest in a short-term rental property. There also is required level of attention to detail and analysis to ensure the property is priced correctly to get a good balance of revenue and occupancy.

What are the different types of short term rental ownership and management ?

For the hands-on, marketing-savvy owners, sites like AirBnb and VRBO offer easy-to-use platforms where owners can list, manage, and market their own properties. This option is appealing to homeowners that want to have frequent access to their property and total control over the booking schedule, but requires a high level of commitment and availability. They are responsible for all aspects of the property, including marketing, booking, cleaning, and maintenance.



Individually Owned, Property Management Company Operated

This approach is a great option for homeowners that don’t have the time or interest in navigating regulations, cleaning, bookings, and customer service. For a fee, property management companies like 

 make it easy for owners to benefit financially from a vacation rental while remaining hands off. Perfect for someone that would like to sit back, relax, and enjoy the benefits of short term rental income without doing anything. They handle all aspects of the rental process, including marketing, booking, cleaning, and maintenance.

As the short term rental market gained traction, companies like Sonder, Mint House, and Kasa deployed large sums of capital to buy apartment buildings and convert them to short term rental units in markets that were popular for corporate housing and tourism. While this isn’t an option that would apply to an individual homeowner, this type of short term rental is popular for extended-stay business travel and digital nomads, so good to be aware of when choosing your city and target guest.



What to Know Before you Turn your Vacation Home into a Short Term Rental

Short Term Rental Restrictions and Regulations

The legal definition of a short term rental varies by state, and often even by city. For instance, New York City defines short-term rentals as “the renting of dwellings for less than 30 consecutive days,” while Florida considers you a “transient rental accommodation” for rental periods of six months or less.

The accompanying zoning, regulations, tax implications, and code enforcement also vary state-by-state. In addition to the statewide rules, most city councils and towns have their own short term rental laws and city code to preserve the local housing market and community needs. This is especially important in destinations with limited housing for permanent residents like Aspen and Steamboat, Colorado or coastal Oregon.

In Florida, a transient rental accommodation is legally required to register with the Florida Department of Revenue, collect lodging taxes, and file lodging tax returns with the state. If you’re in Collier County, your only additional requirement is to register all properties with the county. However, if you’re in Miami Beach, short term rentals are only permitted in a few designated zones and banned from all residential neighborhoods.

In New York, the New York State Dwelling Law prohibits all “Class A” multiple dwellings from offering short term rentals. This means statewide any multifamily building resident is ineligible to rent out their unit for less than 30 days. The only way to have guests in your “Class A” dwelling unit is to be present while the guests are there and have less than 2 occupancy.


New York City regulations are even more complicated, and subject to more frequent changes. For example, a new Short Term Rental Registration Law will go into effect in January 2023 in NYC requiring vacation rental hosts to register with the City. If the registration information on rental platforms like AirBnb doesn’t match the City database, they will block transactions.


No matter what city your rental property is in, you can check your local and state regulations to confirm that your property is eligible to rent, the rental lengths legally permitted, and that you’ve accounted for all registration requirements, occupancy taxes, and any additional rules you’ll need to follow.

Partnering with a team like Rove Travel can help owners navigate the constantly shifting compliance nuances. Rove Travel has a team dedicated to regulations that can help you pick the best destination that aligns with your budget, rental parameters, and goals. Once you’ve identified the right market, Rove Travel can handle the due diligence required to set your property up with all legally required registrations, down to the specific city permits needed to ensure a smooth rental ownership experience.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business

Once you’ve identified the property and acquired all legal registrations and permits, there are a number of things to do before you can accept your first booking.



What to put in your residential property.

The amenities and design of your property can determine your nightly rate and make or break your ratings with guests. The bare essentials (a comfortable bed, free WiFi, a refrigerator, etc.) will be expected. It’s the premium amenities, the stylish furnishings, and the extra touch that will set you up for success.

Consider your guest when deciding what amenities to add. Are you in an urban destination where your guest is looking for a place to remote work for a month or longer? You’ll want to make sure you have a great workspace and even greater WiFi. Are you in a place that attracts families? A room with bunk beds will boost your bookings. Are you near a ski resort or beach? An on-site washer and dryer will ensure their ski pants are warm and beach towels are dry.

Tailoring your space to your guest needs is a great way to stand out in your city and drive reviews and bookings.

If you’ve perused AirBnb or VRBO you’ve seen the selection options titled, “Type of place.” When renting out your home or condo, you have the choice to rent it as “Entire place,” “Private room,” or “Shared room.”

Entire place gives the renter the full home, grounds, and all associated amenities. Many owners will keep a locked closet or garage to store personal items, but are not present during the rental period.

Private room functions like a bed and breakfast, where the renter has their own room, but shares common spaces.

Shared room is the most social option, offering renters a place to sleep with the expectation that they will share most other areas, including bathrooms, kitchens, common areas, etc.

Other things to identify when deciding how to rent your property include the terms of your rental, such as pet-friendly, number of occupants, check-in and out times, etc.



An often underestimated factor of owning a short term rental is managing the cleaning between bookings. Especially with the heightened cleanliness standards following COVID-19, renters want to arrive to a pristine residence. From allowing time for the rental to sit unoccupied before and after the cleaning, to the hours it takes to property clean a rental and set the stage for the new guests, the turn over process takes time and practice.


Picking your pricing strategy is a delicate balance between what the guest and market will accept and making a profit.

1. Determine your nightly costs: Calculate your nightly costs by adding up all your monthly expenses including your mortgage, utilities, taxes, WiFi, cleaning services, and any costs for amenities like toilet paper, coffee, etc. and divide it by 30.

2. Do market research: Take a look at other short term rentals in your area that compare pricing for rental properties that are similar in room count, amenities, etc. Make sure you look at a variety of timeframes, as prices can vary over holidays, high-seasons, and weekdays versus weekends.

3. Align on your average nightly rate: Knowing what your ‘break even’ rate would be (your nightly cost) and then seeing what the average market pricing is, pick a rate that is between the two.

4. Consider a “new listing” discount: AirBnb recommends starting your listing at a slightly lower price while you garner reviews. Their recommended percentage is 30% while you position yourself on your selected platform.

5. Account for dynamic pricing: Adjusting your pricing to match the ebbs and flows of the market will ensure you stay booked while getting the most for your property. Some platforms allow for custom pricing for certain dates, even having automation tools that can handle it for you. Increasing your average nightly rate 10-15% for seasonality, holidays, and big events in your city, can help you stay competitive.

6. Explore “length of stay” pricing: Some owners choose to decrease the nightly rate in concordance with number of nights booked. Having a longer term tenant can mean ensured bookings and less cleaning fees.

Automation, smart pricing tools, and more exist to help make this process efficient. Additionally, property management companies will manage the dynamic pricing factors as a part of their fees.

From descriptive detail sections to inviting photography, the way you position your property on highly competitive sites like AirBnb or VRBO matters. And most importantly, reviews matter. Having a beautiful, clean unit and warm, attentive customer service can help you get glowing reviews from guests. Small touches like flowers, notes of welcome, and out-of-the-box amenities can help you stand out.

The Benefits of Using a Property Management Company

Partnering with a property management company can ensure property owners get all the economic benefits of a short term rental without the headache. They navigate the regulations, registration, and even tax components of owning a rental property, as well as the booking management, cleaning, and customer service. Some, like Rove Travel, even help with the design and amenities of your property, to ensure it has everything the guests need.

Choosing Rove Travel as your property management company means 70% higher returns than the market average, best in class care for both you and your property, and flexibility to reserve your home when you want it and access Rove's premium homes at discounted rates. Rove's depth of experience, unparalleled owner support, and premium brand means getting higher income and higher peace of mind with your short term rental property. See all the 

 and reach out with any questions or interest in joining their portfolio of luxury homes in sought-after destinations across the country.

The short term rental market is certainly appealing as both leisure and business travel begin to pick up pace. Understanding what a short term rental is and what is required to turn your residential dwelling into a short-term rental property can help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Understand what a short term rental is, the different types, and how to get started with our guide on becoming a short term rental owner. 

What to know about owning a short term rental property for interested owners.

The NYC rental landscape of 2023 is poised to look quite different from the one we’re leaving in the 2022 rear view. The pandemic created uncertainty for landlords in NYC as renters moved out of the city to find more space for themselves and their families. 2020 vacancies inspired 2021 rent deals and price cuts that allowed many renters to afford neighborhoods and apartments that would have otherwise been unavailable to them. As the world resumed to normalcy in 2022, more businesses reopened, workers returned to offices, and previous renters returned to New York City, net wealth in tow. Now, we find ourselves back in a congested and competitive rental market.

To secure a rental in NYC for 2023, it will require research, preparation, and good negotiation skills. It’s a ‘landlord’s market’ right now, with vacancy down -1% year-over-year and no growth in new inventory. To make your life easier and help you find your dream apartment, we’ve crafted the Ultimate Guide to Renting in NYC in 2023 to arm even the seasoned New Yorkers with important information to make this harrowing process a little less frustrating.

The right questions to ask while searching

Our ultimate guide to finding and securing an apartment for rent in New York City, updated with important tips for 2023.