GEORGE TOWN: After failing to find long-term tenants for his duplex unit near the heart of the city, condominium owner S.H. Tang, began feeling a sense of buyer’s remorse.

It all changed two years ago when a friend suggested he join the home-sharing marketplace, Airbnb.com.

“On the first month, I rented the unit out for 10 nights at about RM500 a night.

“The second month saw only three nights of occupancy.

Tang said he runs 12 residential properties listed with Airbnb and has scored 360 positive reviews.

“Some of the units belong to my friends who also could not find tenants for their properties. Thanks to home-sharing, we have been able to see a return on our property investments.”

Tang invited The Star to visit a house built in 1934 which he lets for about RM600 a night.

It accommodates 12 people and on one wall is a large hand-drawn map of the neighbourhood, highlighting hawkers and restaurants selling Penang food.

He also restored some of the original fixtures and furnishings to give the home a retro ambience.

Tang agreed that not all residential units are suitable for home-sharing.

“Low, low-medium cost and affordable housing units in Penang are not suitable because they are part of the state’s housing supply for its people.”

But he felt that luxury condominiums and landed properties should be allowed as long as there are clear guidelines.

Tang said he had faced problems with the joint-management body (JMB) of his condominium.

“I tried to offer paying a RM3,000 security deposit and a higher maintenance fee than my residential neighbours.

“The JMB would not even sit down to hear my proposal,” he claimed.

He said Airbnb regularly held gatherings for hosts to share experiences and help those who were starting out.

“We don’t want bad apples to spoil the market so through Airbnb, we have a platform to offer our services without creating unwanted incidents.”