Airbnb's Failure to Act on Illegal Listing Despite Clear Evidence

[Rav1621]

Hello Airbnb Community,

I’m reaching out here out of sheer frustration with Airbnb’s inability or unwillingness to resolve a critical issue I’ve been raising for months.

The matter involves a property listed on Airbnb that is operating illegally under local regulations. Specifically, the property lacks the legally required license to operate as a short-term rental. This has been confirmed by local authorities, and I have provided Airbnb with all the necessary documentation multiple times to support my claims.

Despite this, Airbnb has:

1. Failed to Act: Repeatedly sent automated and generic responses instead of addressing the issue.
2. Ignored Evidence: Continued to request the same information that I have already provided multiple times.
3. Deflected Responsibility: Redirected the issue back to the host, even though the problem lies with Airbnb allowing an illegal listing to remain active on their platform.

This lack of accountability is deeply troubling. Airbnb has a responsibility to ensure its listings comply with the law, and their inaction in this case raises serious questions about the platform's commitment to legal and ethical standards.

As someone who has relied on Airbnb’s assurances of trust and responsibility, I find their response—or lack thereof—completely unacceptable. Their inability to resolve this matter despite clear evidence undermines the community's trust and reflects poorly on the platform.

I am sharing my experience here in hopes of bringing attention to this systemic issue and to call on Airbnb to:

1. Take immediate action to remove the illegal listing.
2. Improve their processes to ensure reports like these are handled seriously and efficiently.
3. Provide transparency and accountability for cases involving legal non-compliance.

If anyone in this community has faced similar challenges or has advice on how to ensure Airbnb takes appropriate action, I would greatly appreciate your input.

Let’s ensure Airbnb upholds the principles it claims to stand for and respects the communities it operates within.

Thank you,

[Helen3]

What's your interest in this issue?  @Rav1621 

Surely it's up to whoever manages the STR regulations to take enforcement action if a host is operating without a licence ?

Normally in areas with STR licensing you can't upload a listing to Airbnb if you don't upload a licence number so it's strange to hear this host can upload a listing without one. 

[Rav1621]

@Helen3 The license for the property was indeed revoked by the council but technicality, the host managed to keep the listing online.

What’s more frustrating is that the host even went to court, where they agreed to cease operations—yet the property remains active on Airbnb.

You’re right that enforcement should ideally come from those managing STR regulations, but the issue here is that Airbnb continues to allow the listing to remain online, despite having been provided with clear documentation of its illegality.

Normally, the system would prevent a host from uploading a listing without a valid license, but in this case, Airbnb seems to have failed in their due diligence.

[Helen3]

Thanks for clarifying. You didn't say what your interest is ? Are you a host with a listing in the area @Rav1621