Airbnb cancellation charges for following NYC laws.

[Roger32]

As a loyal host and airbnb advocate for change in the NYC laws i was rather upset about being charged 8 seperate $50 cancellation fees for cancelling forward bookings as my situation is changing and the local law restricts me from renting out my room whilst not residing there. As i moving i thought it best to follow the law here and cancell all forward bookings from mid august giving everyone time to find alternative accomodation. I awoke this morning to see they had taken out 8 seperate cancellation fees from a current booking.  I have sent many letters supporting much needed change in NYC Airbnb rules but until the rules change i thought best to follow the law which imposes a $7500 fine.  I dont feel it is fair to b charged by Airbnb for following the local law. 

Has anybody else encountered this?  Im also finding it impossible to find an area i can connect with airbnb on this issue.

Best Roger 

[David126]

I do not know if they will make an exception in your circumstances, seems they only know that you have cancelled.

[Mike77]

Go to the help center and leave an email.

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/contact_us

Sometimes you can even chat live with the help desk.  It happend to me one time... I got a live person that popped up in a chat box.  🙂 

Mike
AirBnB Treehouse for Rent
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7292887

[Roger32]

Thanks Mike,

All resolved now they where fast and helpful,

Best

Roger

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Really you should have contacted AirBnB and explained the situation rather than cancelling as they have no idea why you cancelled and I am sure the penalties are just applied automatically. Get in touch and explain what has happened. 

[Roger32]

Thanks all good now, I had written it in the reasons for the canellation but must of slipped through.

[Jennifer--And-My-Brother0]

After the inspectors came (I let them in thinking oh yeah finally I will get audited and pass with flying colors - WRONG!)

and declared that I was an illegal hotel, 

I called airbnb and Case Manager Roy swiftly and professionally  

cancelled all 61 future reservations and said he would give everyone a 10 percent coupon and help them find places in order of urgency.

That was May 21st and I have not seen the automatic reviews that this host has cancelled within x days of check in. 

I also asked airbnb to process the full refunds of existing guests who were all notified within the airbnb system what the inspectors told me so they had the option to leave but they all stayed on as my personal guests.   The refunds were slower because I was busy but I absolutely needed airbnb to do the processing instead of doing it myself because the last cancellations I had fully refunded - I paid MORE than I was paid accidentally.   Ugh. 

So who knows if airbnb will charge me fees for cancelling or what is going to happen but they were SO FAST and perfect in canceling those reservations for me.    That's all I know for now.  I guess I will see if they charge me.  

But I can never host short term guests again because of what FDNY inspector Brown said - that it is about SAFETY.