Q&A: "How can I rent out my spare bedroom on Airbnb?"

Airbnb radically shifted how people book accommodation. Today's caller, an attorney who isn't home much, likes the idea of renting out her spare bedroom for passive income.

I have a two-bedroom apartment and work as an attorney. It's just me, so I'm not home much. I like the idea of earning passive income by renting out one of the bedrooms, but when I think about what's involved — meeting guests, cleaning up and changing the sheets, following up by email, leaving reviews — I start to think it's not really passive. What do I need to know about doing this, and is there a way to make it easier?

It comes down to three topics. Logistics: who greets guests, who's available if something goes wrong, and who cleans? If that's you, it can take real time — though there's now a whole industry of Airbnb concierge services, which cuts into profits. Marketing: an attractive listing with high-quality photos and strong early reviews matters a lot; study the popular listings in your area first. Legality: regulations are changing fast, especially in cities, so check your local rules — call City Hall if you're not sure.

Renting a single room in your home part-time is usually one of the easier cases, but it's still worth confirming before you list.

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