Small serviced apartment operator
Run several furnished apartments for short and mid-term stays, with housekeeping and a simple guest service.
- A$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You operate a handful of furnished apartments, leased from owners or owned by you, with housekeeping, linen, check-in and guest support. Stays run from a few nights to several weeks.
Your first three steps
- Research your local demand, such as hospitals, universities, business districts or tourist areas, and which apartments suit it
- Write a simple lease or management agreement for owners and check the short-stay rules for each building
- Set up a booking system and cleaning roster, then test with one or two apartments before adding more
Who pays
Corporate travellers, relocating workers, insurance-displaced households, visiting families and tourists.
How it makes money
Nightly and weekly rates across your apartments, with longer-stay discounts. Revenue has to cover rent, utilities, cleaning, linen, software and platform fees.
Skills that help
- Managing bookings and pricing
- Supervising cleaners and handovers
- Customer service and problem solving
Watch out for
- Planning rules, council approvals and strata by-laws differ by state and building, so check each property
- Public liability and short-stay property insurance, plus workers compensation if you employ cleaners
- Lease commitments that continue through quiet periods
- GST registration and how accommodation is taxed, so check with an accountant
- Fire safety and building compliance for each apartment
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small serviced apartment operator
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a serviced apartment business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on how many apartments you take on, furnishing needs and any lease commitments. Cost each property carefully before you commit.
How much can a small serviced apartment operator earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the number of apartments, your pricing and how often they are booked. Expect to work at least about 30 hours a week.
What should I check before running serviced apartments?
Check planning rules, council approvals and strata by-laws for each property, as they differ by state and building. Also check public liability and short-stay property insurance, workers compensation for cleaners, lease commitments in quiet periods, GST with an accountant, and fire safety and building compliance.
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