Superhost Grants Leave Hosts Behind

[Sofie59]

So we just got the email about superhost grants, and it's all well and good. I applaud AirBnB for trying to do something. That said, first thing we did was to look at the eligibility requirements, and lo and behold, we're screwed again. This is for hosts with no more than two active listings, even though we're renting out part of our own home (3 rooms in total).

This was a huge chunk of our monthly income used to cover the mortgage and utilities. Thank you, AirBnB for leaving us high and dry.

[Helen3]

I think quite rightly the scheme is focussing on smaller SH hosts, who under Airbnb's key worker scheme can not let out their homes as it is a shared space (I completely agree that this should be the case).  Difficult one for you because you have three listing in your home. I guess the cut off point must be somewhere. Perhaps contact them and see if they can make an exception.

Not sure where you are from, but have you looked at applying for a mortgage break.

good luck.

[Sofie59]

We ARE smaller AirBnB hosts. That's just the point. I could understand if they go by a certain monetary value per year or something, people have to live in the home themselves. But to cut it off at 2 listings, period, is ridiculous. And it's invitation by email or something, so we can't apply and make our case. I have already opened a support case, but the very fact that I have to is ridiculous.

As for the mortgage break, that would only be meaningful if interest weren't accrued.

Thanks for responding anyway, and stay safe!

[Helen3]

A mortgage break is meaningful because it means that you don't have to pay your mortgage while on a reduced income, so can be a life saver for many hosts who rely on STR income. @Sofie59 

[Linda901 · Accepted solution]

I believe you would still be eligible based on what I just read call. Please see the information shown in bold below.

What does it mean to have no more than two active listings?
For this fund, we’re focusing on hosts who list only their homes or second homes, or private rooms in those residences. You’re not eligible if you have more than two active listings at different addresses. If you have more than two listings at the same address—for example, if you rent out three rooms in your house—you’re still considered eligible.

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/answers-to-your-questions-about-the-superhost-relie...

[Sofie59]

Thanks for sharing! Much appreciated. Initially it said only "2 listings", without the qualifier. They must have changed it after all the feedback and complaints they got.

[Manuel3403]

HHis all hosts.

[Nanxing0]

I think the basic logic makes perfect sense but the number 2 might be a little low though. If you have more than 2 (or 3,4, whatever) listings then most likely you are doing it as full time job or business. I don't think there are too many people listing 3 room out of the house they live in. If you are doing this as full time work or business, it's then your obligation to at least learn some basic business to do it right. For example, relying on a 10k per month cash flow to pay 5k monthly mortgage without any savings to cover at least 2-3 months is a very bad business model to begin with. And even for those having problems like this, the 25% return for cancelled reservations should help pay most bills due. You can't expect to earn the same revenue as before during this time.

[Sofie59]

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@Nanxing0 wrote:

I think the basic logic makes perfect sense but the number 2 might be a little low though. If you have more than 2 (or 3,4, whatever) listings then most likely you are doing it as full time job or business. I don't think there are too many people listing 3 room out of the house they live in. If you are doing this as full time work or business, it's then your obligation to at least learn some basic business to do it right. For example, relying on a 10k per month cash flow to pay 5k monthly mortgage without any savings to cover at least 2-3 months is a very bad business model to begin with. And even for those having problems like this, the 25% return for cancelled reservations should help pay most bills due. You can't expect to earn the same revenue as before during this time.

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First off, I don't need a lecture in "basic business". At best your comment is not very helpful. At worst, it's insulting. Why don't you troll some place else? You have no clue what our actual situation is.

[Nanxing0]

@Sofie59 Frankly everyone is affected during this time not only any one of us. Due to the updated EC I have lost over 20k in revenue and I have 4 mortgages to pay plus I'm not qualified for this program either. Better learn this as a lessen rather than complain meaninglessly.

[Sofie59]

While I'm sorry for your economic hardship, please stop replying here. You're not contributing anything meaningful to this discussion. Rather, you come across as insulting and condescending. PS. "Lesson" is spelled with an "O".

[Donald28]

@Sofie59 But he's right though. You're depending on the income to pay utilities and mortgage. You're doing airbnb as a business... not as a side hustle to make a few extra bucks. Maybe it started that way for you and then evolved into a business? Either way, @Nanxing0 is correct that you may end up learning some good business sense once this culling of the herd is over. 

[Sofie59]

Again, not helpful. Again, I don't need a business lecture. I never said this was our primary source of income. Even if it's a side hustle, it's still a business - or are you doing it out of altruistic reasons, solely to meet new people? In that case, why don't you just offer your home for free?

It would have been nice if the two of you had actually read the original post, rather than latching on to some detail and mansplaining my own post to me.

[Laura-And-Rick0]

what are you talking about??? I  have 3 rooms in my large home I  rent out regularly except nothing during covid.

[Abigail6]

@Nanxing0  I think that’s a little harsh. Just because you have 3 listings under one roof does not mean your doing it for profit. 

i have three listings and it pays my mortgage and utilities that’s it.

i have savings yes. But at this rate I don’t have anything till June and my full time job I’m not allowed to work until April 30th:

In an ideal world everyone would have a years worth of savings but that’s just not everyone’s story.

airbnb definitely screwed the people who just want to house hack.