Airbnb Policy on Coronavirus

[Jim402]

WHAT ARE AIRBNB PLAYING AT?!!!!

My government (UK) has decreed  that myself, as a 74 year old host,  must self isolate for four months from this weekend (21/3/20).

And what is Airbnb's response? It is that if I so do I shall be punished! Unbelievable!

A self isolation friend of mine is leaving Airbnb because this is what Airbnb have done to her.

I'm sorry, but unless I have got this wrong (and if I have will someone from Airbnb please explain)  Airnbnb have some rapid clear thinking and explaining to do.

[Sarah977]

@Lezlee0  Aren't you glad you didn't end up hosting her, with that lousy attitude? I think coronavirus saved you from what might have been a real pain in the butt guest :-))

It's times like these that bring out the best and the worst in people- and when they are most likely to show their true colors. Self-absorbed people can be found in every walk of life- hosts and health-care workers aren't immune from character flaws.

You're lucky to have gotten through to Airbnb in only 45 minutes, and gotten the penalties reversed. I'm reading about hosts and guests being on hold for 2 hours or more, only to have the call dropped.

[Lezlee0]

@Sarah977 I agree Sarah, the funny thing was her last message to me was she may actually need the reservation when she gets called across the country and was thankful to not end up with an uncompassionate and self-absorbed host.   It was surreal and I agree, I couldn't imagine hosting her.   I blocked her to not encounter her again.  Almost every one of my guests have been so apologetic, kind and promise of future rebooking.  Some even reached out to us about the recent earthquake even though they are no longer booked and had no reason to send out nice comments.  In the end, 98% showed the good in people.

[Sarah977]

@Lezlee0  I only had one reservation on the books since this COVID started. Booked first week in March, for check-in April 5. I hadn't heard from the guest at all since she booked and had sort of been expecting a cancellation from her any day. But I messaged her a couple days ago to say I thought it best for both me (I home-share and share my kitchen with guests) and her, if she cancelled- that no one should be travelling right now. I didn't say I'd cancel her, just concluded with "Your thoughts?" She wrote back saying she was in agreement and would cancel, which she right away did. I said I was sorry not to have met and hosted her and that I hoped she'd book again in the future and to stay safe, and she said much the same. All very nice and civilized.

[Lezlee0]

@Sarah977 I have 8 places bringing I. $40k a month so mine was a bit different.  Like I said, 98% were very kind and considerate.  My reason for reaching out to the final 4 was not just to clear my calendar to rebook others but to stop the all day stream of cancellations as there were hundreds of them and it was a negative drain ans stressful reminder each time one came in.   I did end up with 5 of the 8 booked this weekend but for much lower prices.  Airbnb allowing refunds to all guests has devastated me financially and I’m just trying to stay somewhat afloat.  

[Jane2799]

I feel your pain. Firstly I tried to post several rants and got a message saying it hadn't been successful. Secondly I don't see how Airbnb can just impose on us, when we already have an agreement in place, that guests can just cancel. For many of us this is no longer about renting out a space in our homes. I rent out the entire house and it is my business and my income.  The agreement I had in place with Airbnb was 50% refund. I feel bad for people losing out of course, but thats the way it is. And at least the burden was shared. I and my business could have survived on 50%. We can't survive on fresh air. The government in the UK has made provisions but I don't fit the rubric for those. It is not generous for Airbnb to stump up $3 million each (small change from what we make them each year) to then use to pay us 25% of our usual 50% cancellation fee. I do not think it was legal for them to impose changed terms and conditions. I too will leave Airbnb as a result of this. I wish everyone who feels hard done by would do the same.