Attention all Hosts Airbnb are not honouring Host Cancellation policy

[Jean-Pierre198]

Attention all Hosts Airbnb are not honoring Hosts strict 50% Cancellation policy

With reference  to the COVID19 Issue

Airbnb Stated - " we are in this all together "..

So Why are airbnb refunding guests 100% -- resulting in a 100% loss to hosts .  This is discriminatory favour to Travellers over hosts

A Cancellation policy is a legally binding agreement and must be honoured no matter what

[Mike-And-Jane0]

Extenuating circumstances always has (and sadly probably always will ) overridden the stated cancellation policy. The FULL terms and conditions are the legally binding agreement - you cannot just pick and choose from them I am afraid.

[Jean-Pierre198]

I tend to differ from what you are stating here  - A binding Contract where one side agrees with the other has to be honoured no matter what the situation is - whether it is Extenuating circumstances or not ..  What is legal is that the 2 parties can only agree to override the previous agreement with a new agreement. What airbnb is doing is outright illegal and cannot favour one side from the other  or override an agreed policy .  The Extenuating circumstances are not a fault of the Host, the Traveller or Airbnb itself and no party can decide to favour one or the other in this case. If there is an agreed cancellation policy , it has to be honoured unless all parties agree to override any new agreement .

The full terms and conditions are a general guideline for hosts and travellers when signing up. However when 2 parties go in to a transaction agreement between themselves based on what is advertised, that agrement superceeds and must be honoured. Airbnb are not a goverment or allowed to take control of the  law  in to their own hands. Airbnb does not own the property rental or the travellers rights. It merely offers a latform for  travellers and hosts to communicate and negotiate between each other and collects a fee from both sides for using their platform.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Jean-Pierre198 

Yes, it is discriminatory.

Hosts are quite capable of judging whether a refund is appropriate or not. We're far better positioned to establish whether visiting our listing would be safe, far better positioned to know whether travel is affected and just... far better at communicating with our Guests and supporting their needs. Whilst Airbnb might like to throw a blanket solution on the world because they don't have the resources to cope, individual Hosts do and the system is already set up to allow them to do it.

Removing the input of the Hosts from this situation and granting full refunds to Guests across the board - in fact, encouraging guests to cancel, is just criminal.

@Mike-And-Jane0 Not all situations are the same and a one size solution will not fit all. Airbnb need to find a middle ground and not discriminate.

I far prefer VRBO's approach in encouraging Hosts to find a mutual solution with Guests or refund with leniency rather than Airbnb's sledgehammer approach. Maybe they could consider that instead?

[Jean-Pierre198]

Airbnb need us hosts just as much as they need travellers. The have no right to discriminate or favour one side only and override a cancellation policy chosen by a host and accepted by a traveller.. What airnb are doing is illegal . We should all stand to fight for our rights as hosts . If we all put pressure on them as a solid union it can work .