How to have a fake lising pulled down?

[Louise231]

Hi all, long time no post.

Weird one this, I used to be a superhost in my previous flat, but moved house last summer (literally around the corner!) I have never rented my current flat out, i just live in it.

The flat I bought was being rented on airbnb by the previous owners before they sold it, (from when they moved out until I bought it).

But they didn't manage it themselves, they had Pass The Keys manage it, presumably because it was easier and they weren't really 'proper' hosts, just doing it temporarily before they sold it.

I had assumed the listing was taken down, and i did a quick look just before we exchanged keys and had noticed all the dates had been blocked off. I assumed they would delete the listing but never actually checked. (yes, my bad)

I've gone onto airbnb (for a different reason) and noticed the listing is back up, with all the furture dates available, but more worryingly some dates look like they've been booked. I presume Pass the Keys are doing some kind of bait and switch, taking bookings, then at the last mintute, swapping the guests to alternative accomadation.

It's creepy on a number of levels, i have no idea how long it's been back active (i moved in last August!) or how many people have 'booked' what is my home. My home is really distinctive, and the outside of the flat is visible in the listing so it really isn't hard to find. (I live next door to a giant, full building sized, famous art mural!) 

I have no idea what guests are being told when their booking is swapped or cancelled and i don't really want some random coming up to me about it when it's nothing to do with me.

It's also creepy seeing all the photo's of the inside and garden of my home listed without any control over them, in my previous superhost listing i was careful about what photo's of my former flat I showed.

I've tried contacting airbnb, but i'm worried it will take longer to verify it's status, because the reviews on the listing are from real guests when it was ligitimately listed. Also how do i make sure they don't take it down, then re-use the pictures again later?

Any ideas?

[Debra300]

@Louise231,

All reviews are associated with the host's account, and not the listing.  If you try to continue renting the listing under the previous host, you will not personally get credit for the reviews.  Have you contacted Pass the Keys and requested in writing that they remove the Airbnb listing?  You may need to do that before contacting Airbnb to inform them that you are now the rightful owner of the property, and that you've not contracted with Pass the Keys to manage the listing.  Also, do you need to register with your local council for permission to list on Airbnb?  If so, then you may be able to request that a desist order be served to Pass the Key.

[Louise231]

Hi @Debra300 

So we don't need to register each listing with local councils here in my part of the UK (yet!) so they wouldn't be able to help in that respect, but good idea in more controlled areas.

The problem is the listing is still listed under the original host. ie the old owners, its like the dates have been opened on their calendar again. Just with pass the keys having control of the account. The previous owners were fairly old and I've been trying to get in touch with them to let them know (hoping they could get control of the account and close it), but they have since moved away and I don't think they are aware of whats happening.

I don't think pass the keys are worried about the reviews not being allocated to the correct account, I think it's just an added attractive listing to them, where they can use a unique flat to get more bookings and then divert the guests to other properties they control. It's already verified by airbnb because it used to be a real listing (albiet for a small length of time) and it's in a super popular location with some very uinique features.

Also i think they are transfering the bookings properly on airbnb, there are no reviews on the account since i bought it. But there is group of flats in the building next door that have LOADS of reviews saying 'our original apartment was unavailable but XXXX kindly arranged this flat very smoothly' Suspiciously loads.

Airbnb have yet to get back to me properly, I assume they are investigating not ignoring me (I hope so) and even though it could have been up for ages and I didn't know, it's creeping me out now i do. 🙂

[Debra300]

@Louise231,

Even before COVID-19 Airbnb was slow with removing duplicate listings.  My sister-in-law had contracted with a property manager to host guests that contacted him for places to stay on the island, and she would pay him a commission.  She thought that he was only taking pictures of her place to share with potential guests on his site.  It turns out that he listed her property on Airbnb, and was charging about 35% more than her own listing.  When she contacted Airbnb to notify them of the duplicate and unauthorized listing, it took months before it was finally removed.

I think you need to be more persistent with Pass the Key to get them to remove the listing.  I know you believe they are using the listing as a lead generator, but it is also means that they are taking away business that you may have gotten, because the guest originally wanted to stay at your place.

Good luck.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Louise231 Thinking out of the box - You could book the listing and then refuse to be moved. Its a risk but it might sort out the problem.