VRBO: List a Vacation Rental Property and Earn Income From Your Home

VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) is a platform designed specifically for whole-home vacation rentals. Unlike Airbnb, which includes shared rooms and single rooms, VRBO focuses on travelers who want to rent an entire house, cabin, condo, or beach cottage — usually for longer stays like a week or more. This makes VRBO particularly appealing for family vacations or group travel.

VRBO is owned by the same parent company as Expedia and Hotels.com, which means your listing may also appear on those platforms when you advertise on VRBO. This expanded visibility can help you reach more potential guests without any extra effort.

As a host on VRBO, you have more control over the guest experience than on many other platforms. You can require a security deposit, set minimum stay requirements (most VRBO hosts require at least two or three nights), and communicate directly with potential guests before accepting a booking.

One important distinction is VRBO's fee structure. VRBO charges hosts either an annual subscription fee (around $499 per year) or a per-booking fee of 8 percent. For hosts who expect to generate significant rental income, the annual subscription often costs less overall. Casual hosts or those testing the waters might prefer the per-booking model to start.

Rental income from VRBO is taxable in the United States. You are generally required to report it on your federal tax return, and depending on your state and local rules, you may also need to collect and remit occupancy taxes. VRBO can handle the tax collection in many jurisdictions automatically, but confirming your local requirements before listing is a smart step.