In a first, Airbnb takes action against guest for party

[Michelle53]

Hi all

I've been offline for a couple of days, so I'm not sure if this has been posted yet. 

We had huge thunderstorms roll through Chicago on Monday afternoon, many trees uprooted, roof damage and broken windows. 

Tornados were reported in the area. 

My house is fine, thankfully, but power was out from 5pm Monday till about 7pm tonight,  Wednesday.

Just getting caught up !

https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/in-a-first-airbnb-takes-action-against-guest-for-party

[Michelle53]

"For the first time, Airbnb is taking legal action against a guest for violating its ban on unauthorized parties.

The San Francisco-based home sharing company said Wednesday it is initiating legal proceedings against a guest who held an unauthorized party at a home in Sacramento County, California, last weekend. Three people were shot and wounded at the party.

Airbnb wouldn’t release the guest’s name but said it has removed the guest from its platform."

[Inna22]

@Michelle53 they are taking action for the first time because this is probably the first time they have some accurate information about the guest! Tee Rex is a known airbnb user in Chicago who throws parties at properties he rents. How are they going after him? Sue from Field museum will sit in at the arbitration?

[Sarah977]

@Michelle53  I read about the storm heading your way. Glad you made it through unscathed. 

[Michelle53]

@Sarah977  Thanks !     Still cleaning up fallen trees on my street, but we were pretty lucky overall. 

[Fred13]

    Actually Airbnb would do themselves a big favor by not listing any property in which has the propensity for a large gathering.  Now when it happens, then the host has no reason to even get Airbnb involved and then they can call their local police and claim trespassing by strangers. It also robs the sensational media from even associating Airbnb with these crazy events. Airbnb needs to get out of the crowd control business.

   P.S. I know 'Tee Rex' be highly dissapointed, but 'life is a b***h and then you die', so they say. LoL

[Inna22]

@Fred13 where do I even begin... I have large properties and yes, I am a magnet for parties. I am also an option for big families, groups travelling together, student groups and so many more legitimate travelers. The answer is not to ban big houses. There are many easy ways to regulate this. Furthermore, there are plenty of reports of parties taking place at smaller places and have had more than my fair share of attempts at my small 2 bedroom 1 bath.

[Fred13]

<moved my post>

[Mark116]

That's nice, but we already know their rapid response party hot line is worthless, and presents the same limbo of non action and non answers as the rest of their customer service apparatus.

[Fred13]

Whose 'rapid response party hot line'? Its a local police matter. As to the guest, by inviting others illegally they forfeit their stay (and money paid) also. 

Airbnb needs to now think more on quality of its listings(and guests) vs. quality. I bet hosts wouldn't mind paying 5% vs. 3% booking fee for a higher brand reputation, which would help everyone (guests-hosts-Airbnb) 

[Mark116]

@Fred13  That too is a little murky.  Some places the police will not aid in removing someone who has a reservation, some will.  Also, its easy to tell people to remove unruly rule breaking guests, but when faced with a half dozen irresponsible people who are inside your house it isn't quite so easy as it sounds, there is a huge potential for negative escalation.

[Fred13]

Meant 'vs. quantity'. 

Aye, @Mark116, I hear you.  I surmise hosting in a country with so many layers of rights & regulations wouldn't be that simple. I been in business all my life, but after a $250k project turned into $750k nightmare of fees & regulations, that was my cue that I was in the wrong place. That was 10 years ago. I really do admire however all those that do hosting successfully in more 'complicated' societies.  

[Debra300]

@Mark116,

My husband says that when the police arrive at any party that they shouldn't try to disperse the partygoers, but rather round them all up and take them straight to a quarantine facility for a 14 day stay, and fine the facility's new guests for the stay and breaking any gathering restrictions.

[Sarah977]

@Debra300  I don't think it was at an Airbnb, but Ontario just fined some partygoers (a cast of 200) $100,000 for partying in contravention of the isolation, no gatherings of more than 10 directives.

[Linda233]

I live a short distance from this property and though the police do try to help it is overwhelming.  We have actually had multiple shootings in this area due to house parties at Airbnb's in the area.  I have had to break up potential parties,  people selling drugs/ women and even a person making drugs and i live in a nice area.  Airbnb needs to bring back stricter guidelines on who can stay and give hosts more leeway on who they can turn away.  It isn't racist to turn away someone with the name hit mamma on the prowl, it is common sense.