Things are getting dicey all over for STR's, especially in areas where local LTR's are being shut out by us. It's a great opportunity for those who own property, but not a sustainable community model.
Airbnb has not been known to do much community PR other or clean up their act, than campaign contributions and the occasional volunteer day...mostly based on host volunteerism...and often forgets to pay out taxes they collect on our behalf, so ultimately, Airbnb isn't a sustainable community member either.
The issues with scammers, bad guests, and criminals taking advantage of relaxed (and publicized) guest policies here they're literally capitalizing on (see you tube videos on how to get away with it and the FB group about bad guests...), many hosts are shouldering the fallout and aren't too pleased with airbnb's choices around safety, accountability, and neighborhood relations either.
HOSTS are ultimately held responsible for everything and get blamed for all of the fallout.
Without hosts...there can be no airbnb, and yes "the original/classic home share" airbnb IS sustainable, because it does not compete with separate LT rentals.
Yes, we need to screen our guests...and have the tools made available to do so if Airbnb isn't willing to vet them with even a basic background check (which should be included in the fees).
So, yes, the honeymoon is over, and LA is not the first or the last to ban the multi-property moguls and limit it to...what airbnb was originally, and what indie hosts have been asking to be designated with our own category as the "original airbnb homeshare" platform.
I'm hosting my last guest this weekend because the overt bias of airbnb against "the original" hosts has tarnished my joy for listing here enough to want to end the relationship. As stated in many threads...airbnb is shooting itself in the foot, and the current practices are not sustainable.