Collaboration with rental agents

[Samia8]

Occasionally I recieve messages from rental agents asking me to collaborate with them and post their listings . But they will handle all communication etc and pay me for just listing the properties . 

Is this legal with Airbnb? if not , what is the catch in this ? 

[Andrea9]

@Samia8

I don't think Airbnb cares one way or the other, as long as they make money. Also as long as there are no local regulations against this.

You would lose your control over how to influence any service with the guests directl and getting good reviews, thus your chances of achieving and keeping super host status.

If you advertise under your personal profile, potential guests might be disappointed to find out they aren't renting and communicating through you but through an agency. Many don't care, some may be disappointed.

You'd have to have them as co-host.

I'd also make sure that the agency has some kind of damage control or guarantee in place and take all responsibility of recouping costs for you, otherwise it would be very difficult to get that sorted from your side with Airbnb.

This my view as long-time host on the forum, but never used a co-host or agency.

Hopefully somebody with experience in this will chime in.

[Samia8]

Thanks for the reply . Actually its not me using the agency for my own property . It the rental agencies asking me to post their property listings through my account ! 

That is where the confusion is , is this legal 

[Jeff158]

Hi @Samia8

NO, you as the host have legal obligations you sign upto on airbnb.

Ask yourself why don't they list themselves,  they probably got banned for some dodgy stuff.

Even if they only cancel a few bookings it will effect your listing and account.

[Samia8]

Thanks so much . Exactly my concern. Why they cant post themselves . Thanks so much again for guiding me . I am going to report all such people who contact me , from here on .

[Andrea9]

@Samia8 Oh, I'd missed that it was meant that way around.

And totally agree with @Jeff158!