Thinking about turning your Wayzata luxury condo into corporate housing? You want steady income, respectful guests, and a setup that fits your building and the city’s rules. In this guide, you’ll learn what is allowed, how demand and pricing work, what to furnish, and the steps to launch with confidence. Let’s dive in.
First, confirm what is allowed
Before you buy furniture or write a listing, verify that you can legally rent your unit. Wayzata requires a rental dwelling license for any rented home, and the city folded short‑term rentals into that licensing program in late 2024, with implementation continuing into 2025. Review the city’s rental program and short‑term rental project updates to understand inspections, reporting, and any limits on stay length. You can find details on the city’s Rental Licenses page and current short‑term rental updates on the city’s project page.
- See Wayzata’s Rental Licenses program: city rental license info
- Track policy updates and council actions: short‑term rental project page
- Background on the 2024 adoption and ongoing discussions: local council coverage
If your condo is in an association, your declaration, bylaws, and rules may set minimum lease terms or ban short stays. Minnesota’s common‑interest community law gives associations authority to regulate leasing, so read your recorded documents and recent rules before you proceed. Review the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act for context on association powers at Chapter 515B.
Choose your model: nightly or 30+ day corporate
Wayzata’s lake‑season demand can make nightly rentals lucrative during peak months, but policy and HOA rules may push you toward 30+ day corporate stays. Corporate bookings trade slightly lower daily rates for steadier occupancy, fewer turnovers, and simpler compliance.
| Factor | Nightly STR | 30+ Day Corporate |
|---|---|---|
| Typical demand in Wayzata | Strong in summer, softer off‑season | Year‑round from relocations, projects |
| Pricing benchmark | Several‑hundred per night for quality condos in peak seasons | Many providers quote the daily equivalent starting near $120–$150 in Minneapolis, packaged monthly |
| Occupancy pattern | Highly seasonal, annualized around the 50% range in local data | Fewer, longer bookings, steadier occupancy |
| Taxes | State and local lodging taxes generally apply to under‑30‑day stays | With a proper 30+ day lease, lodging tax rules differ |
| Turnover costs | Higher due to frequent cleans | Lower with monthly housekeeping |
| Policy risk | More exposed if the city limits short stays | Often more durable if minimum terms are required |
Local data supports both models. AirDNA shows Wayzata’s nightly rates in the several‑hundred‑dollars range with strong summer performance and a smaller, high‑end market that rewards quality and season‑aware pricing. Explore the Wayzata snapshot at AirDNA’s market overview. For furnished monthly demand, corporate providers in the Twin Cities often quote daily‑equivalent rates that start near the low‑hundreds. You can compare examples at National Corporate Housing in Minneapolis. Metro multifamily stayed tight heading into 2025, which supports furnished‑monthly options alongside extended‑stay hotels. See the Twin Cities context in MMG’s market report.
Price with a Wayzata‑specific lens
- Set peak vs. off‑season rates. Summer weekends and events near Lake Minnetonka can justify higher pricing, while shoulder seasons often need discounts or longer minimums.
- Compare nightly to monthly. Work from your projected nightly average and apply a discount for 30+ day stays that still covers utilities, housekeeping, and platform or management fees.
- Validate with data and quotes. Pull address‑level comps in AirDNA and request quotes from corporate housing firms to build conservative monthly scenarios.
What corporate guests expect in a luxury condo
Corporate housing is a turn‑key experience. Your goal is a seamless, hotel‑level setup with the privacy of a home. Standards commonly include a fully furnished living space, a quiet work area, high‑speed internet, a complete kitchen kit, premium linens, in‑unit laundry, parking guidance, and clear building rules. Review industry standards at National Corporate Housing’s resources.
Safety and compliance matter. Provide smoke and CO detectors, a fire extinguisher, emergency info, and accurate instructions for amenities. Wayzata’s inspections and property maintenance rules apply to licensed rentals, so align with the city’s guidance from Building Inspection.
Taxes, licensing, and insurance to line up
- Taxes: In Minnesota, rentals under 30 days are generally treated as taxable lodging, and certain 30+ day arrangements can also trigger lodging tax if not under an enforceable lease with notice requirements. Review the state’s rules and confirm who collects taxes if you use a platform. Start with the Department of Revenue’s guidance on Sales, Lodging and Related Services.
- Licensing: Wayzata requires a rental license. If you plan to offer short stays, confirm the current short‑term rental licensing steps, fees, and inspection timing using the city pages listed above.
- Insurance: Standard condo or homeowner policies often exclude business use and short‑term guests. Talk with your carrier about a landlord or commercial short‑term rental policy that includes liability and loss‑of‑income coverage. Learn where typical homeowner policies fall short from Proper Insurance’s overview.
Step‑by‑step launch checklist
- Review condo declaration, bylaws, and current rules for minimum lease terms and any registration requirements.
- Confirm Wayzata’s current rental and short‑term rental license process, inspection timing, and fees.
- Register for Minnesota tax as needed and clarify who collects and remits if using booking platforms.
- Obtain the right insurance and require proof of coverage when contracting with a corporate client.
- Build your pricing model: include HOA dues, utilities, internet, cleaning, supplies, platform or management fees, licensing, and a vacancy allowance.
- Prepare a 30+ day lease template with utilities, cleaning cadence, deposits, pet and smoking rules, and building policies.
- Set up access, parking instructions, and package handling that align with your HOA.
- Line up housekeeping, linen service, and a local maintenance contact.
- Create a seasonal pricing calendar and choose channels: corporate housing networks, local managers, and direct outreach to relocation teams.
When corporate housing makes the most sense in Wayzata
Corporate housing is a strong fit if your HOA limits you to 30+ day leases, if you prefer fewer turnovers, or if you want steadier occupancy through the off‑season. With Wayzata’s premium location and finish levels, many relocating professionals and project teams will pay for space, privacy, and quality. The key is to align your model with current city rules and your building’s leasing policies.
Ready to discuss your unit, numbers, and the best go‑to‑market plan for Wayzata? Reach out to Jeffrey Dewing for a discreet, data‑driven game plan tailored to your goals.
FAQs
Is it legal to rent my Wayzata condo for short stays under 30 days?
- You must comply with Wayzata’s rental licensing program and any short‑term rental rules, plus your condo association’s leasing restrictions. The city updated rules in late 2024 and discussed further changes in 2025, so check the latest before listing.
What taxes apply to corporate housing in Minnesota for 30+ day stays?
- Minnesota treats under‑30‑day lodging as taxable. For 30+ day stays, tax treatment depends on having an enforceable lease with notice requirements. Confirm your exact scenario with the Department of Revenue and any platform you use.
How should I price a furnished monthly rental in Wayzata?
- Start with local nightly data to set a baseline, then discount to create a competitive monthly rate that includes utilities and housekeeping. Compare against quotes from corporate housing providers in the Minneapolis area and adjust for seasonality.
What insurance do I need for a Wayzata condo used as corporate housing?
- Owners commonly need landlord or commercial short‑term rental insurance with liability and loss‑of‑income coverage. Standard condo or homeowner policies often exclude business activity, so confirm coverage with your insurer.
What amenities do corporate guests expect in a luxury condo?
- Guests expect a fully furnished, move‑in‑ready space with fast Wi‑Fi, a proper workspace, complete kitchenware, in‑unit laundry, quality linens, clear building instructions, and optional housekeeping.
How do HOA rules affect converting a Wayzata condo to corporate housing?
- Associations can set lease minimums or restrict short‑term rentals. Review your declaration, bylaws, and any recent rules or resolutions, since HOA limits can override your plan even if the city allows rentals.