“We hear stories of how we’ve changed our renters’ lives… to have an impact like that, it makes us ask, who else can we help?” — Kenjua, PadSplit host
Picture this: You’re sitting in your spacious 5-bedroom home with your spouse, surrounded by furnished but empty bedrooms. Meanwhile, you’re already successfully renting out seven of your cars through Turo. You think: What if we could make our unused space work as hard as our cars do?
That’s exactly where Kenjua and Clifton found themselves. This entrepreneurial couple had already mastered the art of asset-based income through their thriving Turo business, but their home’s empty bedrooms represented untapped potential.
Between their seven Turo cars and the room rental opportunity ahead of them, they realized they could fund their entire lifestyle without traditional 9-to-5 employment, turning their assets into a full-time income stream.
What happened next turned their suburban home into a life-changing opportunity—not just for them, but for the people they welcomed into their community.
How they almost chose the wrong platform (Airbnb) for their business
Before diving into room rentals, Kenjua and Clifton did their homework. Like many homeowners, they initially considered the most obvious choice: Airbnb. They actually researched multiple platforms before making their decision.
Airbnb seemed like the safe option, but they had concerns about guests staying 30 days and having to pay everything up front. “We were thinking we want [a resident] who has flexibility. We prefer more consistent payments weekly,” Kenjua explains.
Furnish Finder offered monthly payments with negotiable terms, but came with a major drawback: “They don’t provide the actual renters. They provide leads that you have to chase down… there’s a lot of footwork that comes with it.“
Then they discovered PadSplit. What sold them? The platform handles customer acquisition, offers weekly payments, and creates a true marketplace experience. Even though their area had restrictions on PadSplit operations, they saw the value and decided to move forward strategically.
The secret to their success: It’s not about being a landlord
Here’s where most people get room rentals wrong—they think like landlords instead of thinking like hosts. Kenjua and Clifton flipped this script entirely.
“We don’t want it to be a tenant-landlord hierarchy. We want it to be a situation where we’ve established a community. I need you just like you need me, because we’re all here to fulfill a financial goal at the end of the day.”
Their community-first approach
Instead of creating rules for their residents, Kenjua and Clifton created guidelines, which they also follow as residents in the home. As Kenjua puts it: “If we’re also considered members, even though we’re hosts, then we’re going to abide by the same rules that the members are to be held accountable for. Because if you lead by example, it’ll be easier for the PadSplit member to adhere to those rules.”
This mindset shift changed everything. Rather than feeling like they were managing property, they were earning trust and building relationships.
Providing a hotel experience at home
While PadSplit requires basic furnishing, Kenjua and Clifton decided to create something special. They looked at other listings and saw that some rooms only had the minimum requirements. They wanted to provide something more.
They chose to provide:
- Complete bed linens and comforter sets
- Mini-fridges in every room
- Starter sets of towels (3 per room)
- Bathrobes
- Extra pillows and welcoming decor
- Full access to common areas
“It’s light hospitality living, where the residents’ only responsibility is to go to work. We’ll take care of the common areas… Their focus is the bedroom and bathroom, and outside of that, we’ll take care of everything else so that they can just focus on working and relaxing,” says Kenjua.
The numbers don’t lie
After 90 days on the platform, here’s what Kenjua and Clifton achieved:
- 80% occupancy rate
- 4+ star rating (above the 3.5 average for their market)
- 30-day average tenure (residents staying longer means less turnover)
- Rooms fill in 1.5-2 weeks (faster than the local average)
How to avoid complaints from the neighbors
Perhaps most impressively, Kenjua and Clifton operate successfully without any complaints from their neighbors.
Proactive neighbor management:
- They handle all trash responsibilities
- Residents get dedicated parking spots while they park off-site
- They monitor parking to prevent blocking neighbors
- Quick response to any neighbor concerns
The unexpected benefits: More than just income
What started as a way to monetize unused space became something much more meaningful. Kenjua shares: “I’ve had conversations with the members. We hear stories of how we’ve changed our renters’ lives… to have an impact like that, it makes us ask, who else can we help?”
Cross-business synergy
Remember those seven Turo cars? Several PadSplit residents have now become Turo customers, creating a natural synergy between their businesses. “I give them a discount because they live here,” Kenjua notes. This has allowed members to conveniently travel to different parts of Atlanta during the week.
Personal growth
The experience taught them systems, community building, and property management skills that extend far beyond this single property.
Same daily routine, additional income
As Clifton admits, “The chores I do to operate our PadSplit are already things that I would do if it were just my wife and I. I take out the trash anyway. I clean the house anyway… It’s just a normal day to me.”
The expansion plan: Scaling with purpose
Success bred ambition. As a veteran, Kenjua has access to VA loan benefits, and they’re already planning their next move: a second owner-occupied PadSplit property.
“We enjoy what we do a lot. We want another PadSplit!”
Their plan? Use their VA loan to acquire a second property, traveling between both to maintain the owner-occupied model that’s been so successful.
Questions to ask yourself if you’re considering renting out rooms in your home
After hearing Kenjua and Clifton’s story, you may wonder if this approach could work for you. Here are the key questions to ask yourself:
Do you have the right mindset?
- Can you think like a host rather than a landlord?
- Are you comfortable sharing your space while maintaining boundaries?
- Do you enjoy helping people and building community?
Do you have the right setup?
- Multiple bedrooms you’re not using
- Willingness to invest in quality amenities
Owner-occupied hosting with PadSplit is more than great income
Clifton and Kenjua’s story proves that with the right approach, renting rooms in your home isn’t just about generating extra income. It’s about creating a sustainable business that makes a difference in people’s lives while building something meaningful for yourself.
Ready to turn your empty bedrooms into income? The space is already available, and the platform already exists. Reach out to our team today.
