Airbnb, developer partner on shared apartments – Orlando Sentinel

Airbnb and a Miami developer say they have quietly created a one-of-a-kind apartment complex in Osceola County designed to let tenants rent their homes for up to half the year.

Developer Harvey Hernandez would not reveal the exact location of Unit 324 building is but says it is minutes from Kissimmee area theme parks. He said he expects it to open in the first quarter of 2018.

Osceola officials said they were unaware of the project, called “Niido Powered by Airbnb.”

“Niido is a community where we embrace home sharing for the benefit of our tenants,” said Hernadez, CEO of Newgard Development.

He said Niido would allow tenants to generate income by renting out their unit on Airbnb for up to 180 days a year. Any money earned would be split between the tenant and Niido, said Jaja Jackson, an official with Airbnb.

Niido – a play on the Spanish word “nido”, which stands for nest — is a partnership between developer Newgard Development and Airbnb.

Airbnb spokesperson Ben Breit said rents would be between $1,300 and $2,000 per month.

The apartments have been designed with keyless entry technology and shared common areas to facilitate home sharing.

A separate smartphone app will allow guests to check in and contact a “MasterHost,” who will arrange cleaning and linen services at rented units.

Similar Niido developments will be built throughout the southeastern United States, Hernandez said.

Breit said Kissimmee is the third busiest home-sharing city in Florida, after Miami Beach and Miami.

[ Osceola, Seminole could cut Airbnb tax deals » ]