Airbnb guests staying longer than 28 days

[Leon Lee]

Hi, STR Hosts

I just set up an airbnb unit in a relatively rural area in Georgia. I noticed that a majority of guests are travel workers and interested in staying more than 28 days. As a newbie short-term rental host, I wonder:

1. what is the best approach to handle such guests?

2. Do you perform background screening and sign rental agreement with them just like you do with other long-term tenants if they stay longer than 1 month?

3. Do you charge deposits for guests staying > 28 days? If so, is it equivalent to one-month rent as well?

4. Currently, I have a group of guests asking to stay for 2months. I asked them to book only 28 days and then I blocked the second 28 days on my calendar for them. One option that I am planning to do is to ask them to live in a hotel for one night after the first 28 days and come back for their second 28 days. Is this practical?

5. If a guest stays for 2 months and I had trouble getting him to leave in the end. Do I need to go through the same procedure as evicting long-term tenants, or the process will be much faster and easier (although it is probably still more difficult than those staying less than 28 days) ? The property is located in Bartow County Georgia.  

6. For guests staying longer than a month, what is the general guideline on the profit target? Suppose a long-term unfurnished unit can rent for $1300/month. Will $2600/month be reasonable/profitable for the same unit, but short-term and furnished (including utilities, internet, supplies)?  

Thanks in advance!

Lee