Commercial photography and filming allowed opt in vs opt out

[Yvonne41]

I noticed there is now an option to allow Commercial photography and filming or not. What are the implications of agreeing to that and toggling it to Allowed? I have allowed filming before, but I require additional insurance, film releases and a fee negotiated on the nature of the project. If I say I tick I agree to Commercial photography and filming allowed, will this mean that I no longer am provided the opportunity to have my separate rates, insurance and agreements in place up front? More importantly, does this mean renters would not have to disclose that they are planning to use my space for photographs or filming?

[Huma0]

@Yvonne41 

All good questions. I wish I knew the answers, but Airbnb have been vague about this, as with pretty much everything else in the new updates.

I've turned it on and waiting to see what happens. However, I don't use instant book and I have a long minimum stay, so anyone wanting to film here (used to get a lot of those requests before I switched to long stays) would need to dig around to find me and send me an enquiry. I wonder if a user can search using that filter only, with no dates specified? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Huma0 Oooh very risky plan. You could get a pornstar book for a month and he/she wouldn't need to mention they planned to film porn until they arrived after which it would be too late to stop them!!!

[Huma0]

@Mike-And-Jane0 

LOL, well the porn star would have to be performing solo and filming everything her/himself. My listings are for one person only and rules state no unauthorised visitors!

On a serious note though, Airbnb need to explain how this is all supposed to work. Surely the guests should need to specify if they are planning to use the listing for commercial filming/photography? Ideally, this should operate as a different type of booking where the host is allowed to set different rates.

So, one way of trialing this would be to set up a duplicate listing, then change it radically to reflect that that listing is specifically for filming/photography purpose, with rates and rules that reflect that. One would need to manage the calendars of course to prevent double bookings.

[Nemesio4]

What is everyone’s fear of photography for? As long as they aren’t damaging anything and are respectful of your property and things what’s the big problem? I understand the dismay for the pornography a little bit but that doesn’t make a lot of sense either if couples can still book. I’m just interested in the fear of it all. 

[Helen3]

Because airbnb are for residential not commercial bookings @Nemesio4 

If I book my place for a photo shoot or film shoot I would never do it through Airbnb. 

you need a proper contract/liability insurance for the film maker etc.

@Nemesio4 

And they should be paying commercial rates .