Guide for new hosts
Starting an Airbnb in a condo: what to check first.
A practical checklist for condo owners in the Philippines, from the building's rules to the first guest's check-out. Laws and building policies change, so confirm the details with your admin, your city hall and an accountant.
1. Check that your building allows it
Before anything else, read your condominium corporation's house rules or master deed, and ask the property management office directly. Some buildings don't allow stays shorter than a month; others allow them with registration, a fee, a guest limit or restricted check-in hours. Get the answer in writing.
2. Registration, permits and taxes
Renting out a unit for income is a business. Ask your city or municipal hall what they require (often a barangay clearance and a business permit), and talk to an accountant about BIR registration, invoices and taxes. If the unit is mortgaged or you rent it yourself, check that your contract allows short-term rentals.
3. Set up the unit
- Essentials: good bed and linens, blackout curtains, aircon, fast Wi-Fi, a water heater, basic kitchen things, towels and toiletries.
- Self check-in: a lockbox or smart lock. Ask the admin where lockboxes are allowed; some buildings don't allow them in hallways.
- Safety: a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit and the emergency numbers where guests can see them.
- Photos: daylight, clean surfaces, one photo per room plus the view and the building's amenities.
4. Write the listing
Be specific about the building: the guest limit, visitor rules, parking, and anything guests must do at the lobby. If the building needs guest names or IDs, say so in the listing description, so guests know before they book. Add your house rules (see our house rules template).
5. Build a routine for every booking
- Send a welcome message through Airbnb (see our message templates).
- Send the guest list to the building admin a day or two before (use our registration letter tool).
- The day before, send directions, the lobby steps and the door code.
- After check-out: clean, restock, change the door code.
Put the whole routine on one page.
A GoTuloy page has the lobby steps, Wi-Fi, house rules and door code (behind a stay code), and keeps the guest list for your admin. Free for one unit.