How do I file complaint against a neighbour airbnb?

[Weiye0]

Hi community,

Is there a way to file a complaint against a neighbour Airbnb? There are multiple reasons:
1. The airbnb is quite noisy all day. People are in and out all the time.

2. There are over 5 people (confirmed) moving in and out, and buzz every neighbour on the same level to seek lift access (there is only one or two fob access for that apartment). 
3. People are suspicious on drugs as building manager identified some of them before.

4. Due to Australia Law, it is unable to contact the Airbnb host or running agent directly.

Any advice or help would be highly appreciated.

[Bronwyn100]

Record what is happening. Lodge your complaint with Airbnb and make a noise complaint to police. This is quite unsatisfactory. 

[Weiye0]

Thanks for your advice.

I have done what you have suggested, including recording and other stuffs. However,  the Victoria police refused to handle this situation as it is beyond their jurisdiction and refers me to talk to building manager.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Weiye0 There you go then - Its a Civil matter that the police won't get involved in. Do you rent your apartment or own it? Most contracts have a head lease clause (if rented) that says what can and can't be done in the building. If Airbnb is allowed then you are out of luck I am afraid.

[Weiye0]

I own the apartment I live. Thanks anyway 

[Greystone0]

HI @Weiye0 ,

if you haven't already, you can click on the link that is part of every AIRBNB listing "report this listing" and fill in the form. I believe you would need an AIRBNB profile to accomplish this and I am unsure if you would receive any type of individual response however it is at least one path to alert the platform (AIRBNB) to a recurring issue that is really unfavorable to all.

[Weiye0]

Hi,

thanks for your advise. However, there are numerous of Airbnb hosts ( I believe most of them are hosted by agent), which makes me less possible to accurately locate the profile. I’ll give it try anyway.

[Leon3174]

probably talking to your city's zoning department or condo association. 

[Zheng49]

Have you tried to contact the neighbor first before involving Airbnb?

I think your neighbor would really prefer to work out things personally with you. 

[Weiye0]

Thanks for your advice.

However, if I could work out things with the neighbour, this post wouldn't be here. The reason of raising this concern is that we are unable to settle an agreement and their behaviours are quite weird, such as grouping in the hallway at 3:30 am in the morning.

[Joelle43 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Weiye0 

In case you haven't already tried this, Airbnb have a help desk for neighbours that experience disturbance because of an Airbnb listing:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3290

[Frances3408]

@Weiye0. Hi Weiye, a couple more ideas:

1. Have you contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria? https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/owners-corporations/rules/short-stay-accommodation

2. Have you read your Strata by-laws to check if short term rentals are permitted and what penalties may apply if not properly managed?

3. Have you raised a FORMAL complaint with the Strata Manager?

If you can identify the actual unit(s) involved in this bad behaviour then strata must respond to another owner's complaint regarding another owner (even if that involves their tenants) - so you dont need to worry about talking to your neighbour, just have all the facts (dates, times, type of disturbance, videos etc).

4. It may be possible that the unit owners are unaware that their units are being sub let on platforms by their tenants.

5. From 1 January 2025 there is a 7.5% levy coming in on Victorian short term rental listings as well as a proposed 90 day cap on nights  https://static.pbo.vic.gov.au/files/PBO_Short-stay-cap_PUBLICATION.pdf

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Frances