As the relentless pressure of Australia’s cost of living crisis continues to reshape household budgets, a novel and sometimes unconventional income stream is emerging: leasing out private backyards to dogs.
This burgeoning trend sees homeowners transforming their outdoor spaces, from manicured lawns to more rugged plots, into temporary playgrounds for canines, offering a unique solution for both property owners and pet parents.
At the heart of this phenomenon is Sniffspot, an app-based platform often likened to an “Airbnb for dog parks.”
It facilitates hourly rentals of private, fenced backyards, fields, and even indoor areas, providing dogs with a safe, off-leash environment away from crowded public spaces.
These bookings typically range between $5 to $20 per hour, per dog, however the platform estimates hosts could earn up to $3000 a month.
MORE NEWS
Council’s baffling demand for pregnant renter
Where you can still buy a home for under $500k
‘Somebody stole it’: Renter’s bizarre bond nightmare
Aussie homeowners are increasingly renting out their backyards by the hour and their customers aren’t people but dogs.
From fancy, dog park-style backyards to farm experiences, Sniffspot has over 200 properties to chose from.
The Airbnb-style app is growing in popularity with dog owners sharing their experiences on social media. Source: @visualsbylyla
The concept is clearly resonating with Australian property owners.
Sniffspot currently operates in all but two states, boasting a significant presence: over 100 properties in Queensland, around 70 in Victoria, 36 in New South Wales, and 16 in South Australia. Even Tasmania, with two listings, is beginning to see the potential.
However, the nature of these rented spaces varies significantly.
While some hosts have invested considerably, offering elaborate setups that include obstacle courses, sprawling acreage with dams for swimming, and even luxury backyards featuring dog-friendly pools, the platform also features listings that could do with a good weeding or a fresh mow.
However, with inflation and fuel prices high, it’s unsurprising the trend has begun to capture public attention.
TikTok user @visualsbylya recently rented a home and pool for her dog in Brisbane.
However, not all properties offer luxurious backyards.
Some could do with a weed and a mow.
Either way, it’s become a great way for dog lovers to generate extra income.
Queensland dog owner and TikTok user @visualsbylyla, recently shared her Sniffspot experience, showcasing a Brisbane property she had leased.
Her video highlighted the ample space and the inclusion of a dog-friendly pool, drawing enthusiastic responses from followers who praised the concept as a “game changer.”
“Look at all this space!” she proclaimed.
“No crowded dog park, no crossing the road every time we see a pup, just a new spot full of fresh senses for him to explore that’s all his. At least for a couple of hours, anyway.”
The idea for Sniffspot originated in 2017 with founder David Adams, who, living in a seventh-floor apartment in Seattle, struggled to find safe, off-leash exercise for his dog.
He envisioned a way to utilise idle private outdoor spaces, much like the private pool-sharing platform Swimply, often called “the Airbnb for pools.”
Adams saw an opportunity to provide an alternative to traditional dog parks and generate passive income for property owners.
“There are very few dog parks relative to the number of people who have dogs now,” Adams told GeekWire.
“And dog parks aren’t always great for every dog.
“Sniffspot lets dogs run free in a safe place, and just be dogs again.”
For hosts, the financial incentives can be substantial.
For individuals like Samantha Bosley, a 44-year-old account manager from Scottsdale, Arizona, Sniffspot has been a timely financial lifeline.
Since 2022, she has bolstered her household income by an extra $7,400 in 21 months, helping her manage bills and provide for her children.
“Over the past couple of years, the cost of living has gone up so much,” she told Business Insider.
“I didn’t want to keep scraping by or have my finances tight – I wanted to have the room to take my kids on vacation or do fun stuff.”
In an economic climate where every dollar counts, this emerging backyard rental model offers a pragmatic, if sometimes quirky, example of how Australians are adapting to financial pressures, transforming their residential spaces into unexpected sources of income.
English (US) · 