Lapland's tourism is attracting record numbers of international and domestic visitors. Rovaniemi's appeal is growing continuously, creating excellent opportunities for homeowners. Many are considering how to best utilise the earning potential of their own home or investment property without their everyday lives becoming a constant source of stress. Short-term letting offers a viable way to generate extra income, but launching such an operation requires a systematic approach.
A thorough start saves time and helps the property quickly rise to become one of the most popular. During the first month, the foundation for future good reviews and smooth day-to-day operations is created. Below you will find clear steps to help you prepare and launch your apartment step by step without any extra hassle.
1. Apartment staging and outfitting – how to create a comfortable and attractive property
As well as a roof, travellers value comfort and a cosy atmosphere. A successful destination stands out from others thanks to careful styling and comprehensive amenities. When a potential guest browses search results, the first impression is formed in seconds. A high-quality visual presentation is therefore the best way to spark interest.
When equipping a property, it's worth considering the small details of everyday life. For example, high-quality blackout curtains in the bedroom guarantee good sleep during the Lapland midnight sun, which is directly reflected in positive reviews. Similarly, basic kitchen equipment, such as a functional coffee maker and tidy dinnerware, make breakfast pleasant.
Critical equipment for first-class guest comfort:
Once the interior design is finished, it's time to take photographs. Although mobile phone cameras are good these days, hiring a professional photographer is an investment that quickly pays for itself. Bright, correctly framed photos will bring out the best features of the apartment and increase click-through rates on search services.
2. Permits, housing company rules and taxation – get the basics sorted
A legal and clear foundation is essential when starting an Airbnb rental. Before the first guest arrives, it's important to ensure all official obligations and responsibilities are in order. This prevents potential ambiguities later on and keeps operations straightforward.
First, familiarise yourself with your housing company's articles of association and house rules. According to the Finnish Real Estate Federation, short-term accommodation is generally permitted in ordinary residential apartments, unless the articles of association impose specific restrictions. However, the activity should not develop into professional hotel operations on a large scale. It is always good practice to inform your property manager of the start of such activities for transparency.
Another key area is taxation. According to the Tax Administration's guidelines, income from short-term rentals is taxable capital income. However, actual expenses incurred from the activity can be extensively deducted in taxation. Careful bookkeeping saves considerable sums and helps optimise the profitability of the operation right from the start.
Check the housing association's policy
Read through the articles of association to ensure that short-term rentals are not prohibited, and contact the property manager if necessary.
Get comprehensive insurance
Standard home insurance typically does not cover damages incurred during paid accommodation activities. Check with your insurance company for suitable additional cover.
Organise receipts and bookkeeping
Save every receipt for furniture, cleaning supplies, and service fees so you can easily deduct them on your tax return to the tax authorities.
Once the permits, insurance, and tax fundamentals are in place, you can confidently commence practical work and prepare for the arrival of your first guests.
3. Creating an attractive listing and dynamic pricing
Once the property has been styled and photographed, the advertisement itself is drafted for the booking channels. A good advertisement immediately sparks the traveller's interest in the search results. The headline should be descriptive and highlight the best features of the property. For example, a central location close to amenities or the apartment's own sauna are very important criteria for travellers in the north. In the description, it is worth clearly and honestly stating the apartment's equipment and practical matters.
Pricing significantly determines a property's ultimate success. A fixed price all year round can easily lead to underpricing during peak months or empty days during quieter seasons. Dynamic pricing involves constantly adjusting prices based on demand, days of the week, and major local events. For example, Rovaniemi's winter season and the Christmas period allow for higher prices, while in spring and autumn, prices are adjusted to ensure occupancy.
Properly implemented pricing ensures that your property yields the best possible results. According to Statistics Finland's figures, the growth in tourist flows in Rovaniemi offers a stable basis for high occupancy rates, provided that pricing is actively monitored and adjusted from the outset.
4. Operational running – key handover, communication and five-star cleaning
As the first bookings come in, the focus shifts to the practicalities of running the operation. Short-term accommodation requires constant availability and quick responses. Guests expect prompt answers to their questions, and smooth communication lays the groundwork for a successful stay even before arrival.
Key handover is an important step worth automating as much as possible. The most flexible and secure solution is a remotely controlled smart lock. A smart lock eliminates the need for distributing and hiding physical keys. Guests can check in with their own code flexibly, even in the middle of the night, and no one needs to be there to meet them on-site, for example, due to delayed flights.
Cleaning cannot be compromised at all. In an Airbnb rental, cleanliness is assessed separately after each visit. Thorough, professional cleaning and laundry ensure that every guest arrives at a fresh and clean apartment. In practice, this requires precise coordination and a reliable cleaning team that can operate flexibly, even during the busiest periods of the season.
How to achieve high returns without continuous workload?
Renting out a property on a short-term basis is profitable, but managing it independently requires a lot of time and commitment. Communicating with guests in different time zones, arranging cleanings, doing laundry, and monitoring prices can easily take up several hours a week. Especially when you live far from your property yourself, or own multiple properties, managing daily logistics can become arduous.
That is why many outsource practical tasks to a trusted partner. When routines are handed over to a local operator, renting becomes effortless and profitable. Professional management saves you time while simultaneously improving the occupancy rate of the property and increasing the average price thanks to effective pricing and prompt customer service.
At Me Host It Oy, we help make your accommodation business as easy and profitable as possible. Our services cover everything from creating listings and optimising pricing to thorough cleaning and round-the-clock customer service. You can choose the package that best suits your specific situation:
Our services for homeowners and property investors:
Rovaniemi's strong tourism growth is creating excellent opportunities for property owners. By starting your venture carefully and systematically, you'll ensure high-quality accommodation for your guests and a secure, stable source of income for yourself.