Questions about airbnb.

[Joys0]

My name is Joys, a student of the KULeuven University in Brussels center. I am currently doing a research on Airbnb Brussels and social inclusion.

I will be very grateful if you can help me answer these few questions and eventually meet up for an interview. I want to be as neutral as possible in my report.

As a Host: What are the important factors to consider when approving or disapproving a guest? Examples can be, Income, age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, etc...

How important are safety and Trust on Airbnb?

If possible, share positive and negative experiences on Airbnb.

As Guests: What are the factors to consider when choosing for accommodation or choosing a Host?

Have you ever been rejected? What are the possible reasons, if any?

Also, share positive and negative experiences.

Thank you.

[Marzena4]

Hello @Joys0. You will find that part for hosts hard to research because Airbnb doesn't allow any discrimination. And it would be enough to be a picky host to risk your account taken down. We have seen here a number of hosts reporting it (removal of their listings), most claimed it was without any explanation from Airbnb. 

The only situation when a host can choose one of those listed by you is a female host versus male guests. Nothing else is really accepted.

And the truth about bookings - the primary factor is price. Let's be honest - I can see it tweaking my calendar. 

What is more, Airbnb presses for something called Instant Booking, which should further picture how much choice hosts are given. This is the global trend on Airbnb. There are still hosts who approve guests manually, but they struggle with the number of reservations.

**[Moved from duplicate topic]

[Laura1355]

A colleague at work of mine said that he doesn't like Airbnb because it allows people to engage in private discrimination that is banned by United States laws such as the Fair Housing Act. I didn't even think of that but I suppose there's some of that. As a host, I don't really care about someone's age, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic background, or anything like that. I want to make sure that me and my daughter are safe so obviously they have to provide a government ID so I know who they are. I don't want to hold someone who may be in the United States for illicit activities such as an act of terrorism. I want to make sure that it's someone who is not likely to rape or Rob us. Other than that, if they are legit, I welcome everyone. I would never look at someone's photo and decide based on their appearance such as their raced that I don't want to rent to them.

[Joys0]

Thanks!

[Mrs--Donna0]

Please join our fb group

I do not understand. You will be sharing your private space with some one who are hoping that they find a nice, good, non-judemental kind person. If you have concerns about who you are looking for, you may not find too many people wanting to book with you, then you will really get bad reviews. Airbnb is already getting so competitive. Wishing you all the best with yours.

[Sarah977]

@Joys0  All the things you list as factors to consider as a host are factors that are not allowed for hosts to consider for approval or disapproval. There is an anti-discrimination policy and hosts can be banned for disregarding it. You apparently haven't bothered to research much about airbnb before asking for input.

[Joys0]

@Sarah977 They are indeed not factors to consider for approval or disapproval but people still use it. This is the reason why am doing my research and i need honest answers. People don't want to say it but i have already had complaints about a disappointed lady who has been rejected many times! I am supposed to be neutral.

[Sarah977]

@Joys0  I still don't think you understand how airbnb works. As a host, I have no knowledge of a prospective guest's age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc. All a host can see when someone wants to book is their photo, their reviews, and their verification. And I really don't think any hosts are going to tell you that they discriminate on anything you mentioned.