UK Rule of 6

[Hannah722]

Hi There, I have a property that has a maximum capacity of 8 and whilst this does exceed the rule of 6 it's my understanding this is allowed as long as the guests are in a Bubble. 

My concern comes with how can I be sure they are in a Bubble and not flouting the rules. 

Would I be held liable and therefore open to fines if my property is hosting an 'illegal' group or is it down to the guest to make sure they are following the rules? 

Any ideas anyone? 

Thanks

Hannah

[Sarah3595]

Sorry I don’t know the answer.
But I Would like to follow this post as I’m interested to see what measures people are putting in place for this latest rule in the U.K. as the guidelines for me are unclear on this. 

[Helen3]

No that isn’t correct you can take no more than six guests in total. I believe from no more than two households.

I would suggest you change your listing so no more than six can book and ask guests to confirm in writing no more than six including children and infants are staying.

also make it clear up front in the listing about the six maximum.

make sure you add a house rule to confirm any guest turning up with more than six will have their booking cancelling.

do monitor this on arrival through CCTV

[Hannah722]

Thanks Helen, I got the Support Bubble info from the Gov Website: 

2.1 Can I visit people indoors?

Yes.

There is a legal limit on the number of people you don’t live with you are able to meet. When meeting with people you don’t live with you can socialise in groups of up to 6.

You should continue to maintain social distancing with anyone you do not live with. There is further guidance on meeting others safely, which includes details of exemptions from this limit, including for larger households and support bubbles.

[Helen350]

@Hannah722  Yes, you've been reading up on the large 6+ household/support bubbles thing...  @Helen3 The exception to the 'Rule of 6' is a support bubble of single person + family of more than 5. "Mr Johnson said 'There will be some limited exceptions; for example if a single household or support bubble is larger than six, then obviously they can still gather'" https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/14/second-lockdown-uk-new-rules-what-guidelines/ 

[Helen3]

Thanks @Helen350 

The problem is most large bookings won’t fit that criteria - they tend to be two or three families or multiple groups of friends travelling. 

[Helen427]

Mr Johnson has followed SAGE UK 'Advice' as instructed, hasn't he @Helen350 ?

In general terms, Follow the money and who all roads and railways go back to in the early 1900's.

Schwab and Gates families have a very long history in USA and links to Rail, Steel, wheat, etc.

The history of J.P. Morgan and Carnegie, Nixon etc are all tied in to...

Remember the Stock-market and Wheat Corner history in the late 1800's early 1900's?
If not, look it up and learn.

Sometimes we have to go backwards to go forwards in life to understand the road and railways followed.

The world is about everyone, not just a select few.

Our worldwide Education systems need to go back to 1970's era of teachings in schools to ensure a greater understanding of life and how to survive, and why the Circular Economy is there.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Hannah722 I would message  the guest to check that they are either a large family or a large family plus one in a support bubble. That way you should be covered.

[Hannah722]

Thanks Folks.

I've emailed all my guests with bookings larger than 6 until the end of Oct and will look to mail all those till the end of the year in a week or so depending on any future guidance. 

Just to confirm... if they aren't honest with me and continue their bookings I won't be liable for any fines I'm assuming? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Hannah722 Provided you have done your due diligence by asking the guests I can't see how you could be fined. That said I can't see how Boris can renege on his Brexit agreement so who knows.

[Jerry250 · Accepted solution]

On Saturday I asked airbnb support to help me cancel an extended family group of 9 (our property sleeps 10) due to check-in this Saturday. I spoke to them by phone in advance to check they didn't want to move dates or reduce the size of their group (they didn't, they wanted to travel together).

Airbnb also issued a mass email about the rule of 6 yesterday below.

If a household exceeds 6 (my sister has 7) they can stay together. 6 people from different households can also stay together, as can support bubbles. Children count to the 6 (unlike in Scotland where under 12s are exempt, but in Scotland it can be no more than 2 households). The new rules are just as confusing as the old rules because of England, Wales, Scotland and NI doing different things. My cancelled group could have holidayed in Cromarty Scotland, but they can't legally stay in Cromer, England. It cost £2,500 to cancel them.

It is the responsibility of those gathering to ensure compliance with the law. They are the ones who will be fined.

Hosts cannot police their properties 24 hours a day. We can set rules that reflect the law (no more than 6 guests unless they meet the defined exemptions) and advise the guests accordingly. We should help guests comply by ensuring they don't lose out when they cancel. The Competition and Markets Authourity advises they should get a full refund.

I won't be installing cctv!

Airbnb has continued to prioritise public health by working alongside governments across the UK.

In light of recent announcements made by governments in the UK we wanted to provide you with the latest information.

•	There are new rules on gatherings. From today, gatherings of more than six people are prohibited in England, bar key exemptions. This may impact how many guests you can accommodate going forward. If you cancel bookings, this will not affect your superhost status.

•	Parts of the country are currently in local lockdown, which may impact how you or your guests travel in and out of the area. Please check the latest official information and advice from your respective government, as this may affect how you host.

•	We’ve recently updated our UK Responsible Hosting Page with the latest information on VAT reliefs, lockdowns and quarantine measures.

For updates from Airbnb in response to the pandemic and how you can help, visit our Resource Centre.

[Helen427]

Out of interest @Hannah722 @Mike-And-Jane0 @Jerry250 @Helen350 Did anyone in the Uk ever get prosecuted in relation to Rule of 6?
Either as a Host, or that of those involved with SAGE UK who  created and imposed such a Rule?

[Hannah722]

@Helen427  I've not heard of any prosecutions but I know a few instances where larger groups were broken up. 

I'm not aware of a host ever being fined for hosting more than 6.  

[Helen427]

Lol, seen images from Freedom Marches in the UK and other places and ongoing saga's politically, Rule of 6 well and truly gone out the door.

I recall in younger years hearing that these rules only applied when  people were with others who had Infectious Diseases - we had a family member who had Leptospirosis so recall all the ins and outs of Public Healthcare. Words fail me with what's happened to Common sense thinking in the world.

We all must get on with our lives and live life before it passes us all by.

The Circular economy needs to be revived for the world, plant, human and animal to survive

@Hannah722 @Jerry250 @Helen350