How does Airbnb define off-grid?

[Jane-and-Brian0]

Hello, referring to the following article I have noted off-grid properties are very lucrative options for guests and carry a marketing opportunity for hosts. What criteria do hosts have to fufill to enable the host to reference their property as "off-grid" in the title or property description? For example,  should the property have solar panels or no electrical wiring or have electrial wiring but the electric is disconnected thus becoming "off grid" or other criteria? Thank you!

https://press.airbnb.com/wide-open-spaces-airbnb-travelers-go-off-grid/

[Michelle264 · Accepted solution]

We are completely off grid.  All our power comes from solar panels . We are not connected to the grid . As far as meeting any criteria , well to my knowledge Airbnb  has no set criteria . I guess anyone with a few panels could use the phrase if they wanted to. 

Many guests that book with us are not really aware of what it means and of course guests don't read so our description of or power set up etc is wasted. 

Depending on where you are and the type of guests you are trying to attract  it could be a useful marketing strategy . Most of our guests are more interested in seeing our farm animals than being  off grid. 

[Jane-and-Brian0]

 Thank you for the info share. Your property has a well defined off grid presence with the solar panels which is great. I have seen "off grid" in title description of Airbnb in my area however when I took a closer look at the pictures of this particular property I noted electrical plugs and ceiling lights inside the cabin. My concern lies around using terminology indicating "off grid" for rentals that do have electricity however it appears the owners have pulled the plug so to speak in order to offer "off-grid". I agree, off grid is a great marketing strategy however when misrepresented puts other Airbnb's (especially those in the immediate area) at a disadvantage. Not sure if Airbnb addresses issues like this or if they would have issue. Any thoughts?

[Sarah977]

@Jane-and-Brian0   "Off grid" as a general term doesn't mean that a place doesn't have any form of electricity. It means it isn't connected to the public electrical grid- it may run on private solar, wind power, or water power. It isn't a misrepresentation at all. 

[Jane-and-Brian0]

Thank you. I'm trying to get some clarification for marketing purposes only and appreciate your input. Therefore, if an Airbnb has electrical plugs and ceiling lights however indicates in the Space description as this property does not have electricity or running water. There is a propane stove for cooking, a wood stove for heat, flashlights for lights & you won’t even notice that there isn’t any electricity and under Other Things to Note:

This is an off-grid cabin.

There is:
- no water
- no electricity
- no wifi
- no cell service

There is no mention of solar, wind or water power. How can this property advertise as "Off-Grid" or is this a play on words? 

[Nina204]

We have two houses off the grid. They have lights and electrical outlets because all our electric is generated from solar.  We have our own well for water and propane appliances.  We are not hooked up to any public utility and are self sustained.  That is considered off the grid. 

[Jane-and-Brian0]

Thank you. I'm trying to get some clarification for marketing purposes only and appreciate your input. Therefore, if an Airbnb has electrical plugs and ceiling lights however indicates in the Space description this property does not have electricity or running water. There is a propane stove for cooking, a wood stove for heat, flashlights for lights & you won’t even notice that there isn’t any electricity and under Other Things to Note:

This is an off-grid cabin.

There is:
- no water
- no electricity
- no wifi
- no cell service

There is no mention of solar, wind or water power. How can this property advertise as "Off-Grid" or is this a play on words which percipitates a marketing advantage? 

[Sarah977]

@Jane-and-Brian0  It's still off-grid, meaning not hooked up to any public services, it doesn't seem like misrepresentation to me, or some nefarious play on words, as the description makes the situation quite clear. But I can see that photos showing electrical plugs, light switches, and so on might confuse guests and lead to misunderstandings. Just as posting photos of areas of the house or property to which guests are not afforded access could lead to misunderstandings, no matter what is said in the written description.

I think it would be important in a listing like the example you give to make sure guests understand the rustic-ness of the place when booking, since lots of guests don't bother to fully read the listing information.