The short-term rental industry is experiencing growth, leading to an increase in the variety of services being offered. Two specific services that were highlighted are hourly rentals for the entertainment industry and short-term student housing, both of which are not typically provided by Airbnb. Scouter, based in Guadalajara, Mexico, is an online platform that allows film production crews and social media influencers to rent specific locations, such as mansions, stadiums, and pools, for hourly use. The company started as a Facebook page and has since grown to work with well-known clients like HBO, Netflix, and Vogue. Hosts on Scouter can earn extra money by renting their properties for commercial use, with a security deposit provided to protect against damage.
Outpost Club is a property management company that offers furnished monthly rentals to international students and young professionals in the U.S. Founded in 2016 by two Ukrainians, Outpost Club manages 1,500 apartments across 40 buildings in New York and Philadelphia. The company has benefited from a New York City law that banned most short-term rentals, leading to an increase in business for mid- to long-term stays. Outpost Club works with Airbnb landlords to convert short-term rentals into longer stays, with rents starting at $1,000 per month in New York and $750 in Pennsylvania. The company also partners with New York City’s Administration for Child Services to house students transitioning out of foster care and into college.
Scouter stands out as an Airbnb-like platform for hourly rentals, catering to the entertainment industry’s specific needs. The company’s success has attracted well-known clients in need of unique locations for shoots and events. Hosts on Scouter have the opportunity to earn extra money by renting out their properties for commercial use, with added security measures in place to protect against damage. Outpost Club, on the other hand, focuses on providing short-term housing solutions for international students and young professionals in the U.S. The company has expanded its services to include partnerships with organizations like New York City’s Administration for Child Services, providing housing for students in transition.
The short-term rental market is expanding, leading to the emergence of new services like hourly rentals and short-term housing for students. Scouter and Outpost Club are two companies that have found success in these niche markets, offering unique solutions to different customer needs. Scouter’s focus on providing locations for the entertainment industry sets it apart from traditional rental platforms like Airbnb, catering to a specific clientele in need of hourly rentals. Outpost Club, on the other hand, provides furnished monthly rentals for international students and young professionals, filling a gap in the market for mid- to long-term housing solutions in cities like New York and Philadelphia.
Both Scouter and Outpost Club have identified specific needs within the short-term rental market and have successfully developed services to meet those needs. Scouter’s platform allows users to rent unique locations for hourly use, serving the entertainment industry in a way that Airbnb does not. Outpost Club, on the other hand, focuses on providing affordable and convenient short-term housing solutions for international students and young professionals in the U.S. Both companies have found success in their respective niches, highlighting the growing diversity within the short-term rental industry. With the market continuing to expand, it is likely that we will see more companies like Scouter and Outpost Club emerging to meet the evolving needs of customers in this space.
