Interpretation of "free parking on premises"

[Anne11619]

This seems to have been covered before but most posts are now quite old.

As a host, I interpret "free parking on premises" to mean that the parking is on the grounds of the property and that a private parking space is guaranteed. We do not have this amenity at our two properties, just street parking (free at one, paid at another), and we mark it accurately. We have no shortage of bookings despite this.

I've arrived at a property as a guest and there is in fact no "free parking on premises" despite this being one of the searchable amenities. There is free street parking (also checked). Unfortunately, when we arrived it was particularly busy and it took a long time to find a space nearby.

The host is being cooperative and I'm not planning to leave a bad review, but I want to understand from the host community whether there are different interpretations of "free parking on premises" because somehow I'm the first person to actually complain about not having a private space. This surprises me. I can't find specific airbnb guidance on it through the host help sections.

[John2406]

@Anne11619 This is a most relevant question for Airbnb to address as some boxes to be ticked (or not) can easily be misinterpreted by those not certain as to what certain terminology means (or so I think!)

Personally I believe that if anyone doesn't know what "on the premises" actually means, the box should NOT be ticked until the Host has had explained to her/him that entering incorrect information on their listing will not only gain the ire of Guests, but also possibly lead to requests for reimbursements (partial or full).

Here in the UK, there is also the matter of the Trade Descriptions Act, and that listing a product incorrectly (and "Holiday Accommodation" is not an exception to the Act) could lead to a prosecution (at worst).

All of us are (hopefully) responsible for how we "sell" our places, from the "only s stone's throw from..." comment, to what we say we "do" have.

If uncertain about certain elements of a listing, it's far better for the Host to not "say" something is being provided/is available, and for Guests' to query the situation, than for Hosts' to provide false information.

For all any of us know, the Guest(s) booked to stay might have a disability* that walking any distance - should parking "on the premises" not be available. Surely all Hosts' have a moral duty to ensure that only factual information is proved to Guests? (Re *, my wife has debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, and having had all the bones in her hands already disintegrate, and now her ankles are giving her great pain and problems, whilst she can walk a fair way if necessary, for her not having to would be a deal-breaker should we want to stay anywhere). 

Not being provided with what we've been promised, might - like @Anne11619  make us question the legitimacy of the listing, but for others, those Guests may well take stronger action!

Excellent comments as well by @Helen3 @Helen744 and @Richard531 

[Anne11619]

@Debra300 @Helen3 @Helen744 @Richard531 @John2406  I really appreciate all of your responses, we are on the same page re: definition 🙂 and I agree that it's better to err on the side of caution with amenities and descriptions

 @John2406 I don't find the guidance clear enough for hosts on some of the definitions and I think that this can contribute to confusion, particularly for those hosting in multiple languages (as is the case here). Airbnb could make some of these things clearer. I know that when me and my co-host prepared our first listing, we scrutinised some of the options as we weren't sure how they applied. So far, so good.

We've resolved the issue privately and the host is amending the listing. I dont think the host deliberately misrepresented the parking, the property is nice enough already and the risk of bad review is too high. We had a very comfortable stay!