Airbnb Management in Melbourne CBD

Short-term rental management for city apartments.

Artist Abodes Management

Why the CBD Works for Short Stays

The Melbourne CBD has the deepest short stay demand in Victoria: business travellers, conference delegates, theatre-goers, shoppers and tourists, all year round. Laneways, restaurants, the arts precinct and the sporting precinct are on the doorstep, and SkyBus links Southern Cross Station to the airport.

It is also the most competitive market, because most CBD apartments go head to head with thousands of hotel rooms. Standing out takes great presentation, sharp pricing and fast, personal guest service, which is exactly what we do. Our Fitzroy base is about 10 minutes from the city.

What earns best in the CBD

Two and three bedroom apartments earn the most, because groups and families get more space and value than a hotel can offer. One bedroom apartments and studios compete directly with hotels, so they need standout styling and smart pricing to perform. Views, a balcony and building amenities like a pool or gym all help.

Real Results for Owners

A two-bedroom townhouse we manage in Fitzroy

5.0 stars · 91% of nights booked

“Fantastic, professional and trustworthy property manager who has been managing my property for over a year.”
Fraser P., property owner, Google review

Reasons to Choose Artist Abodes

Around the Corner, Not Across Town

We are based in Fitzroy and close to every home we manage. When something needs sorting, we are there fast, not sending someone from the other side of Melbourne.

Design-Led Homes

Our homes are styled to feel like a gallery, not a hotel. We bring that eye to your property so it photographs beautifully and stands out in search results.

Smart Daily Pricing

We use AI pricing tools to adjust your rates daily based on demand, local events, and seasonality. The goal is simple: the highest possible revenue per night without leaving gaps in your calendar.

4.9 Star Guest Experience

Guests consistently rate our homes 4.9 to 5 stars. Fast replies, easy check-in and personal care lead to better reviews, and better reviews lead to more bookings for you.

Property Care

Your property is professionally deep cleaned after every guest and inspected regularly. If something breaks, we sort it out immediately. We manage linen, supplies, and maintenance so you never have to think about it.

An Extra Booking Channel

As well as Airbnb and Booking.com, your property is listed on our own direct booking website, bringing in guests the big platforms miss. Every direct guest is verified through Truvi.

What's Included

One share of booking revenue. Everything handled for you.

Professional photography, organised with our photographer
Listing setup and optimisation on Airbnb, Booking.com and our own direct booking website
Daily dynamic pricing
Guest messaging and screening, seven days a week
Cleaning coordination, linen and supplies
Maintenance and regular inspections
Owner calendar access, so you can always see what is booked

We also manage in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick, Fitzroy North, Carlton and Richmond, plus more suburbs across the inner north.

We partner with the top travel platforms, giving you maximum exposure.

Melbourne CBD Owner FAQs

Many of our customers have similar questions before getting started. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Is the Melbourne CBD a good place for Airbnb?

Yes, demand is strong all year, but competition is too. Larger apartments with good presentation and the right pricing outperform, while smaller apartments need extra care to compete with hotels.

Which council covers the Melbourne CBD, and what rules apply?

The CBD is in the City of Melbourne. Across Victoria, a 7.5% short stay levy applies to bookings of less than 28 days. Airbnb and other platforms collect it automatically, and for direct bookings it is the owner’s responsibility, which we help you manage. Stays of 28 days or more are not affected.

Can my owners corporation stop short stays in the CBD?

Since 1 January 2025, Victorian owners corporations can ban stays of less than 28 days by special resolution, which needs 75% support. The ban cannot apply to a lot that is the owner’s or occupier’s principal place of residence. Almost every CBD apartment is part of an owners corporation, so checking your building’s rules is the first step. We can help you check your building’s rules before you start.

Can you manage apartments in buildings with strict rules?

Yes, as long as short stays are allowed in your building. We follow building rules on check-in, keys, noise and common areas, screen every guest and respond quickly if anything comes up, which keeps neighbours and building managers on side.

How much do you charge?

Our fee is a share of booking revenue, and it depends on the property. We will give you a clear quote once we have seen it, so there are no surprises.

How do you protect my property?

Every guest is screened before they arrive. For direct bookings through our website, guests are verified through Truvi, and each stay includes short-term rental protection of up to $75,000. For Airbnb bookings, Airbnb’s AirCover for Hosts includes up to USD $3 million in host damage protection and USD $1 million in host liability insurance (terms and exclusions apply). We also inspect the property after every stay.

I’m interested. What are the next steps to list my apartment with Artist Abodes?

1. Please tell us more about your property in the contact form. We can then answer any questions you have and move to the contract signing (we send an email where you can review and sign online).

2. Photoshoot time. Prepare your property for a photoshoot with our photographer.

3. We create an amazing listing online and get started.

Ready to See What Your Property Could Earn?

Or call us on (03) 8658 7775