How do I transfer my Airbnb account to my ex-landlord?

[Damian32]

I was renting an apartment in London and its owner allowed me to sublet the apartment to AirBnB guests.  I've now terminated my rental agreement with my landlord and have moved away.  However, he is still using my AirBnB account to rent the apartment out to AirBnB guests.  There are 6 - 9 months worth of bookings on my AirBnB account, which he is now managing.  How do I transfer my AirBnB account to him?   He's not the most trustworthy guy in the world and so I feel uncomfortable allowing his continued use of my AirBnB account.  Of course, I could just brutally shut my AirBnB account down but that would affect the holiday plans of dozens of people over the next 6 - 9 months and my preference is that there should be a way to transfer my account to him so that the guests who've booked the apartment in the coming months are unaffected.

The bank account details in my AirBnB account have already been changed from my bank account to the landlord's bank account so that is not a problem.  Nonetheless i'm slightly concerned at the risk that I could end up in a tax dispute because the AirBnB account is still in my name, and not that of the landlord.

*title updated

[Damian32]

Kirsty, when someone who is running a business sells their business, they sell everything, including goodwill.  There is a long-standing case law on this very topic.  I think the fact that AirBnB doesn't enable that, is an indication that it isn't truly set up to support people sub-letting their homes as individual businesses.  I don't believe the bookings are personal as you suggest.  It's a nice spin that suits AirBnB and protects it from being regulated as an employer (the type of threat currently faced by Uber).

At the end of the day, I just want to shut down my AirBnB account.  I want out.  I don't want to have anything to do with AirBnB anymore.  I'm happy for you to ban me from your system if it gets to that.  I just want to terminate my account with you.  How can I get out?

[Kirstie]

Hi @Damian32,

I've done some more research about your issue and I've found that Airbnb might be able to help you by cancelling for the guests and encouraging them to book again with your landlord's account. The important thing is that the guests are made aware of the fact that they will be hosted by someone else. I would recommend calling Airbnb to discuss this with them - this is the number for the UK: +44 203 318 1111.

I hope you are able to resolve this!

Kirstie 

[Helen3]

@Kirstie

I didn't suggest this, because @Damian32 has already stated he didn't trust the landlord to host the guests well (begs the question as to why he let the landlord take over his account)  and because if you look at reviews on his profile, you will see guests who have booked since the landlord took over his profile have been unhappy with the service they received.

@Damian32 please take responsibility for the situation you created and contact Airbnb (2nd post Community Help forum) and work with Airbnb so they can cancel the bookings and help your guests find something more suitable.

Ranting about Airbnb and being rude to other hosts on here who are trying to help you, won't resolve the situation or help your guests.

You contacting Airbnb to sort this out will.