Ethical Question from the Guest Perspective

[Alexandra316]

So my highschool reunion is this coming weekend, and as I've been having mixed feelings about it, I've been delaying the decision on whether or not I should go. I finally decided I would, and I booked a place through Airbnb yesterday (of course) that's near to where I need to be in Toronto. I lucked out, because there wasn't much left at such short notice, and the price was reasonable and the place has good reviews, and the host is a fellow Superhost. So far, so good, I thought.

However, when the host sent me the self-check-in details, they were careful to tell me that I shouldn't tell anyone in the condo building that I'm renting from Airbnb, and I should only say I'm a visitor if I have to talk to anyone. This really doesn't sit right with me and my ethical feelings about Airbnb. Either this person is subletting a condo that they're renting and it's not allowed, or the condo building doesn't allow Airbnb at all. This is a dedicated Airbnb apartment, so it's not even someone cheekily renting their space when they're not there: this host has multiple properties. If I'd known that, I would not have booked in the first place, as I believe that this type of unethical and illegal hosting on Airbnb is going to lead to problems for us all as hosts - it's already leading to all kinds of issues in Toronto.

If you were me, what would you do? I need a place to stay, but I'm not really okay with this host now.

[Sarah977]

There are a whole bunch of 20 somethings where I live who rent big nice vacation homes, tell the owners they are going to live there, then turn around and list them on airbnb without the owners' knowledge or permission. They might in fact live there much of the time, but whenever they want to go on a trip, or whenever, they STR them to finance their lifestyle.  They also tell all the guests that if anyone asks, to just say they are friends of theirs. I've had conversations with several of them about this- trying to understand why they think this is okay. The responses I get are quite telling- basically they simply feel entitled to do so. None of them read these forums and all of them told me there was no risk, because airbnb will totally cover any damages incurred by the guests. Hahahahahahaha.

[Alexandra316]

 Yes, there seems to be a real sense of entitlement to do what they want with other people's property. I really don't like it: it they agree to renting a property under certain conditions, they should adhere to them. I think that Airbnb's unwillingness to act on it looks really bad, and will have long-term repurcussions for the platform.

[Kathie21]

I've been asked on arrival by a host to avoid mention that I'm anything other than a friend of the owner.  It was in a country where it's unlikely there were laws or rules preventing the activity, but as he was a foreigner there I guessed it was a tax or immigration status thing.   Since I was already there, and not wanting to get anyone into trouble with the authorities in that country (unless they really deserved it!), I played along.     But now that I'm a host I do wonder how many Airbnb properties are actually fully legal.  We have the right planning permission, safety certified gas appliances, fire risk assessment done etc - all are legal requirements for the UK, but Airbnb never actually check these, and I suspect that many hosts don't even know that they are required.  Which, I guess, is one reason that more and more cities/countries are imposing retrictions.

[Cathie19]

There could be a problem neighbour who is a busybody.  Whether you are a personal guest or Airbnb.... that is not for neighbours to worry about.

That you are a good guest who doesn’t impact on the surrounds or their  lifestyles is what matters. 

I own my place and my neighbours know I run Airbnb. But we don’t neon sign it! Not do I have a go at them and their guests.... symbiotic relationships though, can be complex!