From bootstrapping a renovation to managing over 100 properties across two countries, Farouk Ben Achour has built a rapidly growing hospitality-tech company that is redefining short-term rentals in North Africa. With The Landlord, he is not only addressing market inefficiencies but also developing proprietary software, expanding internationally and laying the groundwork for a franchise model that could reshape the sector across the region.
With a focus on exceptional service, partnerships with embassies and multinational firms and a long-term vision to bring hotel-level consistency to the short-term rental world, Farouk is positioning The Landlord as a leading player in the emerging proptech and travel ecosystem across Africa and the Middle East.
Humble Beginnings in Tunis
Born and raised in Tunis, Farouk attended a French school and later graduated from IHEC Carthage, Tunisia’s top business school. He pursued further studies in London, earning a Master’s in Marketing from Westminster Business School. But even with the credentials, Farouk never relied on titles or tradition.
“I’ve never considered myself an exceptional student, but I always focused on learning what would serve my future,” he reflects. “Entrepreneurship wasn’t taught in the classroom—it came from books, personal curiosity and a relentless drive to succeed.”
Farouk’s early career included six years in various companies, but the conventional rhythm of a 9-to-6 life felt foreign to him. “I always felt that the 9-to-6 lifestyle didn’t suit me,” he says, “During that time, I created multiple business plans: a gym (which required too much initial investment), a travel app and a digital marketing project. The ideas were there but the timing or resources were not.”
That changed when he began renovating an old family apartment. A bank loan only took him partway. “I took out a bank loan but it wasn’t enough to complete the work.” To finish the project, he borrowed money from friends. The pressure to repay quickly led him to list the apartment on Airbnb. The result surprised even him.
“It turned out to be a great success, so much so that I moved back in with my parents and started renting the apartment full-time.”
Building The Landlord
That first listing sparked a vision. What if this wasn’t just a one-off success? What if it could be a full-fledged business?
Farouk created a brand and launched a website to promote Airbnb concierge services to other property owners. It wasn’t just a flyer or an Instagram page, it was a serious attempt to test a market. The response was immediate.
“We grew from managing 1 to 15 properties in a short time,” he recalls.
Then came the opportunity to apply for the Startup Act in Tunisia. Farouk applied, received “The label”, quit his job and fully committed to launching The Landlord.
With just €300, a website and a bold dream, The Landlord was born.
Scaling with Strategy and Technology
The Landlord is not just a concierge service, it’s a full tech-enabled ecosystem. “We provide a full concierge service for property owners and operate a booking platform, similar to Airbnb, allowing guests to book directly with us,” added Farouk. Today, the company manages over 100 properties in Tunisia and France. Its proprietary Property Management System (PMS) allows the team to handle large-scale operations with precision.
“We’ve also developed our own Property Management System, which allows us to manage over 100 properties efficiently. Today, we’re based in La Marsa with a team of 20 people.”
As competition in the short-term rental space surged, Farouk’s strategy shifted to maintaining high service standards and forming exclusive partnerships.
“Despite increased competition, our focus on exceptional service, strategic partnerships with embassies and multinational companies and constant innovation have allowed us to continue growing.”
One of the innovations has been expanding the platform to include private property listings, even if The Landlord doesn’t manage them directly. This pivot positioned the company as more than a service provider, it became a tech-driven marketplace.
The Challenge of Talent and the Power of Persistence
No entrepreneurial journey is without its hurdles. For Farouk, one of the most pressing challenges has been human resources.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in Tunisia is human resource management, finding, training and retaining the right people, especially those without a strong or none educational background.”
Outdated laws have also complicated operations. “The startup community often moves faster than regulations, forcing us to work under pressure and find creative solutions.”
But Farouk doesn’t flinch at obstacles. He builds solutions instead.
“The most important lesson I’ve learned is that every problem has a solution. That’s why we developed our own software to address the many operational challenges that come with managing a short-term rental business.”
Accolades, Expansion and a Bigger Dream
Farouk’s journey has already yielded a list of accomplishments that speak volumes about his drive and vision. “Some of our most notable achievements include: Finalist for Best Young Entrepreneur in Tunisia (2021), managing over 100 properties, successfully expanding operations to France, launching the first holiday rental app in Tunisia, [and] holding the highest guest ratings in Tunisia,” he shares.
Each milestone reflects a step in transforming The Landlord from a modest Airbnb listing into a full-fledged platform with international reach, local leadership and a relentless focus on quality and innovation.
Yet, he remains focused on the road ahead. The next chapter? A bold franchise model designed to replicate The Landlord’s success in new territories.
“Our most exciting upcoming project is the launch of our franchise model. The vision is to build a global platform, professionally operated under The Landlord brand. For guests, booking with us should feel like staying at a trusted hotel chain—offering consistent, high-quality experiences in private apartments and villas around the world. For franchisees, they will enjoy a ready to go business with technology and masterclasses in order to be able to scale quickly.”
Mindset, Fitness, and the Philosophy of Growth
Farouk is not all business. A passionate padel tennis player and fitness enthusiast, he draws direct parallels between physical discipline and entrepreneurial endurance.
“The discipline and mindset I’ve developed through fitness have greatly influenced my personal growth and drive to improve every day.”
His philosophy is grounded in simplicity and vision: “Start small, dream big. Never stop working toward becoming the best version of your company. Even as a market leader, there’s always room for improvement. Healthy competition pushes you to be better.”
AI is now an integral part of that journey. “Staying up-to-date with tools and trends is no longer optional—it’s critical. We’re currently integrating new AI tools into our software to optimize our services and stay ahead of the curve.”
The Apartment That Launched a Movement
Farouk Ben Achour’s story is not a fairy tale. It is the kind of story that lives in the details—a broken budget, a bank loan, a website launched in quiet hope. It’s a story of decisions made at midnight, risks taken with borrowed money and a belief that if he didn’t build it, no one else would.
He is not chasing unicorn status or buzzword glory. He is building something lasting, a brand, a platform, a movement. One that began in an old apartment in Tunis and now looks outward, toward Africa, the Middle East, and the world beyond.
“Success takes time. Don’t rush it. Focus on improving your service or product continuously. Growing too quickly can hurt your business. Take your time, build a vision and stick to your path.”
