Is anyone else interested in a class action against Airbnb for its treatment of hosts in the Coronavirus crisis? I haven't yet had a chance to read all the small print (my father has just died, to add to the anxiety!) but we had a "strict" cancellation policy, and we are now facing the possible loss of all our income over our peak period – which could eventually mean the loss of our home – since Airbnb announced that guests can cancel without penalty for any reason or none because of Covid 19, and hosts will refund all. (Even more shockingly, I've just been told that Airbnb will be keeping its own booking fees!) This is totally at variance with the policy of other companies, for instance Homeaway which has relinquished its own fees but left the rest to the discretion of the hosts. The Royal Opera House is not reimbursing for any cancelled shows because it said it could go out of business if it did: my cousin (who is not rich) had just spent £1,000 on priority-booked tickets over the whole season... but he said he'd rather support the arts than have no Opera House when all this is over. Other theatres have offered refunds but asked clients if they would consider donating the cost of their tickets. Airbnb's decision is frankly appalling: I've heard other hosts are incensed and many of us will leave for other platforms, so I'm putting out an initial question to see whether others feel the same way. You can contact me directly on via my website by looking up Anne Atkins
