Kansas residents turn to Airbnb for extra income

TOPEKA, Kan. – When Deborah Vest of Topeka needed to make some extra money she decided to work with Airbnb, which allows residents to rent space in their homes to travellers.

Vest is part of a growing trend in Kansas, which saw a 175 per cent year-over-year growth in Airbnb lodgings in 2016 compared to 2015, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported (http://bit.ly/2iA1lPX ). Kansas hosts brought in $2.1 million in 2016 and the number of hosts doubled to 600 from the year before.

Vest said she began renting out her basement studio a year ago after a friend recommended Airbnb. The listing offers a living area, bathroom and bedroom for two people.

“I’ve been real happy with” hosting, she said. “I meet different people from all over the country, so that makes it interesting.”

One of her guests was travelling across the country camping but wanted to stay in a house for a night, while another was in Topeka looking for a job and a new home.

Vest, who works full time, said she is able to decide when the room is available and decline a request if she doesn’t feel comfortable with a potential guest. She said she earns “play money” that is deposited directly into her bank account.

The company found that half of Kansas hosts rent out an extra room in their homes, while others rent out their entire home or provide a shared room.

Lawrence brought in the highest host incomes in 2016, with $440,000, according to Airbnb. Other amounts included $307,000 in Overland Park, $281,000 in Wichita; $81,000 in Olathe; $41,000 in Topeka; $26,000 in Salina, and $18,000 in Hays.

___

Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com