Carsharing for Airbnb Hosts
As we get into the busier summer months, travellers are flying into South Africa, itching to start exploring, go on their next adventure, and get back to nature. Airbnb hosts are also gearing up for their busiest and highest-earning months in this holiday season.
But if you’re an Airbnb host still looking to invest in the guest experience or earn more, adding carsharing to your offering is one of the simplest ways to increase your earnings from each guest. It also makes their stay smoother. And it helps you stand out in the crowded Airbnb marketplace.
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Tarlen: The “Airbnb for cars”
Tarlen helps private car owners rent their cars to travellers seeking short-term rentals during their stays. These car owners use their earnings to cover their car loans and maintenance costs, which relieves them of the burden of owning a car.
In turn, renters get access to different car options, from the stylish convertible for a weekend getaway to a spacious SUV or van for family trips.
Carsharing with Tarlen uses the same host/guest language already used on Airbnb, making it a natural transition for Airbnb hosts.
And much like Airbnb, guests can search for cars by date, car type, and even car manufacturer.
Where carsharing stands out even more is in providing a smoother booking process. It eliminates the need for long lines and paperwork at the airport and offers seamless pickup and delivery to guests either as they arrive at the airport or at their accommodation.
For Airbnb hosts, offering a car alongside your home boosts your listing appeal and makes it a top pick for travellers.
Why you should offer carsharing to your Airbnb guests
Think of carsharing as a guest-centric upgrade to the traditional car rental process. Travellers arrive, pick up the keys to the house along with the keys to the car, and drive away. No booking desks. No queues.
For hosts, the benefit is twofold. You earn extra income from a car you already own. You also get higher guest satisfaction because guests love on-site convenience.
Tarlen explicitly treats vehicle owners as hosts and drivers as guests. The mental model maps cleanly to how Airbnb already works.
Many hosts who combine short lets with their available vehicles report better occupancy and higher review scores. Guests get access not only to their apartment but also to their transport, and they get it without any fuss.
- Grow your revenue: If you have a vehicle that sits idle, you can list it on Tarlen and set the right price depending on your car model and your location. Whether it’s a luxury or economy car, there’s always a market for it.
Flexibility and control: On Tarlen, you get the same flexibility you already enjoy on Airbnb. You choose the daily pricing and mileage you want to offer. You choose the dates the vehicle is available, and you can block out the dates on Tarlen when you need it. This keeps you in control of how you share your car.
Elevate your guest experience: Guests love convenience, not just in their accommodation but also in how they arrive. By offering a car, you save your guest the trouble of searching for rental services, comparing prices, and worrying about logistics. They get the car at the apartment or home they’ve booked. And if you want to take it a step further, you can offer delivery to the airport.
Vehicle eligible and other things to consider before sharing your car
Before you list your vehicle and start your carsharing business, there are a few things to consider.
- Vehicle eligibility: Tarlen has strict eligibility criteria that every vehicle must meet. It must be roadworthy. It must be registered to you. It must be a private passenger vehicle with four wheels. It must be less than 20 years old and have less than 200,000 km. And it must meet the other requirements listed on the platform.
Insurance: Tarlen currently requires all hosts to get commercial insurance that allows car hire before they can list their vehicles. Tarlen intends to introduce an umbrella insurance option in the future that will cover every car owner on the platform.
Risk management: To increase safety, Tarlen runs a driver’s licence verification check on every renter before they book your car. This ensures that every renter is licensed and approved.
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning: To make your vehicle attractive to renters and your Airbnb guests, you need to keep it in good shape. This means cleaning it regularly and carrying out routine servicing and maintenance. A well-kept car helps keep guests happy and increases your chances of receiving positive reviews.
Trust and accountability: Just like Airbnb, Tarlen provides a way for you to rate your guest after the trip ends. Guests can also rate you on the platform. This two-way feedback builds trust and keeps everyone accountable.
Step-by-step guide: list your car on Tarlen and link it to your Airbnb offering
Confirm eligibility
Visit the eligibility page to confirm that your vehicle can be listed on Tarlen. The page shows the types of vehicles accepted and the types that are not.
If you’re not sure about your vehicle, reach out to the support team by email or WhatsApp. They’ll help you confirm.
Sign up as a Tarlen Host
Download the Tarlen app and sign up as a host. We only require your full name, email address, and phone number to create your account.
Create your listing
Once your account is created, click on “List my car” and follow the steps:
- Vehicle information: Enter the vehicle location, make, model, year, and the other required registration details.
- Photos: Upload 8 – 12 clear and well-taken images of the vehicle. Humans are visual creatures, and the photos create your first impression. Make sure the images are bright, clear, and thoughtfully taken. Follow this guide to learn how to take great photos of your car.
Vehicle specifications and features: Provide your vehicle’s specifications, the body type, colour, transmission, fuel type, roof type, and number of doors and seats. Then list the features that make your vehicle unique. Add a short description that tells guests why they would love the car.
Extras (optional): Offer extras that could elevate your guest’s trip. Examples include a phone mount, GPS, bicycle rack, child seat, or surfboard rack. You can offer them for free or charge a small fee.
Pricing and availability: Set your daily pricing, mileage, discounts, and the vehicle’s availability. You can also choose whether to offer delivery and set a delivery fee.
When everything looks good, submit your listing.
Connect to your Airbnb listing
Tarlen doesn’t yet auto-sync with Airbnb calendars. Instead, you can do the following:
- Add a short note in your Airbnb listing that a car is available to book separately via Tarlen.
- In your Airbnb host tools, add a “Guestbook / Things to know” section. Mention that a car is available and ask guests to message you to reserve. Include your Tarlen link or booking instructions.
- When a guest requests to book your vehicle, send them your Tarlen listing link so they can complete the booking. This blocks out the relevant dates and prevents overlapping trips.
If you need help getting started on Tarlen, you can reach out to the Tarlen Team for assistance.
Operations: pricing, calendar sync, handoff, delivery & cleaning
Pricing strategy
Just like with Airbnb, demand for cars fluctuates by season and by vehicle type. Don’t set one price and leave it unchanged.
Start with a base daily rate. If you don’t get bookings, try a more competitive price point.
Keep adjusting the price until you find a rate that consistently attracts bookings.
You can also add a delivery fee and offer discounts for longer stays. Tarlen currently allows:
- 10% off on bookings over 3 days
- 20% off on bookings over 7 days
- 30% off on bookings over 14 days
- 40% off on bookings over 30 days
Calendar management
To avoid surprises, stay on top of your vehicle’s availability calendar. Choose the “Booking Request” option under booking preferences. This keeps you in control of which bookings you accept.
If your Airbnb guests request a car, have them book as soon as possible. If they’re not ready, block out those dates until they confirm.
Key handoff
Tarlen allows you to offer delivery or let guests pick up the vehicle at the Airbnb.
- Handoff in person: Meet the guest at the Airbnb. Confirm their driver’s licence and hand over the keys to both the Airbnb and the car.
- Lockbox or contactless handoff: If you prefer a contactless handoff, use a secure lockbox for both your Airbnb keys and your Tarlen keys. Confirm the guest’s driver’s licence through the Airbnb chat.
- Delivery: You can also deliver the car to the airport or to the guest’s chosen location. Set your delivery fee within your Tarlen listing.
How to promote your car on your Airbnb listing: (Listing message and direct guest messages you can use)
Use this text to advertise your Tarlen listing on Airbnb
“To make your trip effortless, we’re offering an on-site car that is available for booking through Tarlen. Message to get the link to reserve the car and we’ll have the car keys ready on arrival.”
Use this booking confirmation
“Dear (Guest Name),
Thank you for choosing us for your stay.
We’re thrilled to be hosting you on (trip date) and look forward to your arrival.
Expect to receive information on how to check in and make the most of your stay at (name of place) as the reservation date gets closer.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about your stay or our house rules, feel free to reach out.
And if you need a car during your stay, we have a (car make and model) listed on
Tarlen for easy booking. It’s fully insured for renters. We can meet you to hand over the keys, or we can deliver the car to you at the airport.
Would you like me to reserve your dates?”
[Include your Tarlen vehicle link]
Get started on Tarlen
Listing your vehicle on Tarlen is a simple way to earn extra income as we enter the busier months. If you’re interested in getting started, the Tarlen Team is available to guide you through the process.
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