In Conversation with Anita
When former engineer and Airbnb Superhost, Anita, retired to a smallholding in the Yorkshire Dales, she saw hosting on Airbnb as an opportunity to supplement her earnings. Now, her converted barn annex helps her to afford the mortgage on her home.
When former engineer and Airbnb Superhost, Anita, retired to a smallholding in the Yorkshire Dales, she saw hosting on Airbnb as an opportunity to supplement her earnings. Now, her converted barn annex helps her to afford the mortgage on her home.
When former engineer and Airbnb Superhost, Anita, retired to a smallholding in the Yorkshire Dales, she saw hosting on Airbnb as an opportunity to supplement her earnings. Now, her converted barn annex helps her to afford the mortgage on her home.
"The inspiration for creating this listing was to utilise spare space that we had in the house and to also share the glorious scenery and surroundings that we've got."
Guests are blown away by the hilltop views and local gems she recommends like artisan takeaway, Rumpus Burger in nearby Slaithwaite. Without guests staying in her secluded barn, she believes few would explore off the beaten track.
Guests are blown away by the hilltop views and local gems she recommends like artisan takeaway, Rumpus Burger in nearby Slaithwaite. Without guests staying in her secluded barn, she believes few would explore off the beaten track.
Guests are blown away by the hilltop views and local gems she recommends like artisan takeaway, Rumpus Burger in nearby Slaithwaite. Without guests staying in her secluded barn, she believes few would explore off the beaten track.
"If guests didn't come to stay at my listing and other listings nearby, there would definitely be an impact on the immediate local area, the pubs and the shops.”
Anita is passionate about sustainability and stocks sustainable toiletries from local eco-supplier, Zero Refill. She also loves the attention to detail in her listing and uses fleece from her sheep for soft furnishings and repurposes found objects.
“Sustainability is really important to me. We've tried to use things that are readily available from the field and repurpose old stone flags, church pews, and trees from the field.”
As a host who runs her listing by herself, Anita is concerned that increased short-term let rules could potentially create extra administrative work. For Anita, this would make hosting unsustainable, impacting her ability to keep up with household bills.
“If the legislation meant that we had to stop, I'd probably have to go and find a different way to make the earnings up to keep the house going.”
Anita believes that more restrictive regulations could make hosting unfeasible for her, making it impossible for her to earn the extra income she relies on.
Read more here about Airbnb’s support of new, modern rules for short-term lets.