Short Term Rentals Blocked

Short Term Rentals Blocked

My listing is in Seattle WA.  I updated my short term rental license this year, and ever since, cannot accept short term bookings.  I have been told by customer service that this is a "glitch".  I have read a lot of complaints on here about Airbnbs customer service, but have to say every interaction I have had has been pleasant and I honestly feel like I am not being rushed and the person is genuinely trying to help.  Unfortunately, I think this is beyond a customer service issue, and it is beginning to seem unsolvable.  

 

I began calling in on January 29th, when I noticed that my listing would only accept bookings of 30 days or longer.  When I try to change it to 3 nights, it just changes back to 30.  I have called 11 times.  Each time, told that someone would address this and call me back.  No call happens, triggering me to call again.  We are heading into the timeframe that I usually start getting reservations for the busy summer season here in Seattle, so in the meantime, put my listing up on VRBO.  I receive about 2 scam communications from that site a day.....and am about to close that, which will leave me dead in the water.  I REALLY love airbnb, we built this place with airbnb only in mind, and just wish they would figure this out!  Has anyone else had this issue and was it ever resolved?  Someone recommended deleting and re listing, but that would wipe out my steady track record of solid 5 stars, so I am reluctant to go that route.  

31 Replies 31
Ann72
Level 10
New York, NY

@Gabrielle84  Did you ever get this resolved, or are you still stuck with 30+ day rentals?

I am still stuck in this loop I live in Boston Please tell me if you know about the solution 

I am a Superhost in Seattle and am encountering a very similar issue and customer service experience with Airbnb.  Due to Covid, we took down our listing the last quarter of 2020.   I have since renewed my short-term rental license with the City and also received an email from Airbnb saying, "You're all set!  Your registration number is on your listing page, and guests can now book your place in Seattle."   I am trying to relist it and go live, but it won't let me saying I need to fix my number of days and be in compliance with the City etc.  When I go to min/max night stays and try to relist as a short-term it says I can only do long-term.  Then when I try to relist as a long-term it won't let me do short-term.  It also auto-corrects so won't necessarily let me save what I want for number of nights.  So now I am stuck unable to get it as a live listing.  Were you able to resolve your issue?  Do you have any recommendations?       

I have the same issue Please tell me the solution 

@Mariko28  I did finally get it resolved.  It took a couple of months.  In the end, Airbnb said it was Seattle that was not communicating the proper information to them.  Maybe give the Seattle licensing department a call.  I had a really frustrating time with Airbnb just basically ignoring me.  Good luck.....

Will2356
Level 2
Seattle, WA

I recently renewed my short term rental license but before I did Airbnb blocked me from being able to host short term rentals.   I contacted someone at Seattle City who said it was resolved but Airbnb does not update this information except for every few weeks.  I have talked to Airbnb and email with absolutely zero help or support on this.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?  Can you upload or send the short term license directly to Airbnb.  With our busy season coming up this is really concerning me and I need to get it resolved.  

I have been talking to air B and B every day for over a month No help except for the same old story and then they tell me to wait 10 days I do but nothing is changed This has happen 3x Guest  can not book less than 29 days 

I can not put in the bookings tab the length of stay less than 29

please tell me the solution

Same sudden de-activation for us, right after we renewed on schedule. I called Laura Beck at City of Seattle and got help: **

 

**[Personal information removed in line with - Community Center Guidelines]

Will2356
Level 2
Seattle, WA

Hi everyone, I spoke with Laura Beck and she immediately resolved it on the of City of Seattles end.  She also let me know this has been an issue for 700 Seattle hosts and was due to Airbnb's decision to block hosts from short term rentals all at once.  After a week of dealing with this non-stop, I received an email from Airbnb last night that states my short term license was renewed.  Now the site to change my listing setting to short term renal is completely down and has been since last night.  Has anyone encountered this?

 

 

Hello,

  

  I received an e-mail from Airbnb on March 31, stating, "Congratulations! you can host  "Short Term".   License number was posted and we immediately received a booking once I opened the calendar. Then a week later, April 7, blocked again.

 

While I am still upset about our site being blocked from Short Term Rental availability, I am somewhat relieved to know that it is not just our site.  I have notified the city of Seattle again and was told  they are getting in contact with Airbnb.  Very frustrated with Airbnb as they have not been very helpful in my opinion. It is lost revenue for everyone!

Jeanie15
Level 2
Seattle, WA

I have a renewed short term rental license with the city of Seattle, but airbnb has not recognized it, NO MATTER WHAT I DO.  Without the ability to offer short term rentals, I'm essentially out of business. 

Time after time, the airbnb agents babble on for an hour and eventually get to "I'll send a ticket to a specialist". At least with today's call (an hour of listening to the SAME SONG OVER AND OVER), I was told "they are working on the ticket".  What progress! At my wit's end.

Anyone have experience with VRBO?

hello there

  My name is Angielena, a host/super host and a firm supporter of AIRbnb until recently. I have been having EXACTLY the same issue with the short term rental issue. I have been dealing with this since Dec of 2020 and I have called so many times and they say the same things to me. Help is on the way...But no one calls me back or actually resolves the issue. YES they are kind but they say they are escalating the situation and I ask "Will I get a phone call back?" 

"Yes" they say EVERY time......yet no help

I was wondering if maybe I should get a lawyer?

This is hurting me physically,financially and mentally

I will not book through VRBO because there is no security

Maybe we all need to band together....?

@Jeanie15 

 

Same problem here. I have been fairly relentless between calling/e-mailing  Airbnb and the City of Seattle.

 

Ciera Ford

**

 

Ciera has been very helpful and very responsive! thru e-mail.

 

Give it a try

 

Good luck!!

 

**[Personal information removed in line with - Community Center Guidelines]

I too called the city of Seattle and initially there was a glitch and the STR platform on seattle.gov that made it look like I had two STR license #'s and they (a very nice fellow) got it sorted but now even tho I too have let Airbnb know the situation will they correct the bug on their side...Im kinda losing my patience after dealing with this since Dec 2020...