House Rules - Timeshare Promotion

[R-Scott6]

Hi Hosts, I am a guest.  I am a very good guest with excellent host reviews.  One instant way to make me avoid a listing is house rules that are not really house rules.  For example:  a house rule that states:  "Therefore in order to secure this fantastic deal with us, it is necessary to participate in a 120-minute courtesy snack and a brief preview tour of our luxurious resort."  aka Timeshare presentation.  That is one big snack at 120 minutes!  I chatted with AirBnb support and I am unclear if such rules are allowed or not.  If that door is open, what else?  How about a 4 hour tupperware, amway, or pampered chef presentation required?  Just my opinion, but house rules that have nothing to do with the house and how it is treated should be against TOS.  What do you hosts think?  I will say, I read the rules every time before booking and I would never book such a property. 

[Bhumika]

Hi @R-Scott6 ! It seems you were also in touch with Airbnb Customer Support team regarding your concerns related to this. Did you hear back from them about it?

[R-Scott6]

Yes @Bhumika , my summary of the response is it will be sent to a "special team".  Ha, sounds like the "top men" quote at the end of Raiders Of The Lost Arc.  My understanding is the results are private and they said "we are unable to discuss to you what will be the result or decision", and "keep an eye to the listing page itself to see if it has been taken down ".  It has not been taken down.  I still am unclear specifically if house rules can me used to force sales presentations or other business ventures unrelated to how you behave in the home.  Not really happy about that.

[R-Scott6]

The latest response from Support floors me.  Will be taking a break from using AirBnb.  The response states:  "There is no restriction on Host when it comes to sharing or elaborating the House rules. Host may share a Word doc, a hyperlink or timeshare presentation."  I would have least respected a response such as we allow it so hosts can maximize income and lower the cost for you.  But that response....  A timeshare presentation is an elaboration of the rules like a word doc.  That is the kind of response that will make people like me not use the service as it treats me like a pure fool.  Now I am suspicious of other TOS interpretations that may trap me somehow.  Maybe hotels are safer at this point.

[Kia272]

@R-Scott6  I couldn't agree with you more. I would never book a property with those requirements, and it sounds like someone is trying to profit in a sneaky way. If they own the timeshare already, that's a different story and wouldn't require the presentation. It sounds like they are going to get payment from you (the guest) and then get the accommodation for free, by having YOU listen to the crap that timeshare companies present when trying to make a sale. 

Luckily, scammers aren't that smart. The whole set-up is ridiculous, and a guest who actually READS the listing would catch this immediately. 

To your point, NO!! This should not be allowed on AirBnB. You should report the listing and make a big stink. 

[Frances3408]

@R-Scott6. Thank you for bringing this to Airbnb's attention. Yes, its not a reasonable host House Rule imo @Kia272 and no doubt many other experienced hosts . I also find as a host that guests who read the House Rules are more engaged and take better care when staying.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

Hi @R-Scott6 . It's really good to see that some guests do read the house rules. I am amazed if Airbnb allows this to continue - Perhaps try posting on Twitter (or whatever it is called these days) and I suspect the response will be better from Airbnb. 

[Mary5479]

@R-Scott6 

no matter how ridiculous the house rule is, as long as it’s not against the law, Airbnb can’t do anything about it, and certainly guest doesn’t have a say. 

whose house whose rule. as simple as that. 

As long as the house rule doesn’t require you to sell drugs or human trafficking, it’s legal to require a 120 snack session. 

guest can always leave and not book. 

[R-Scott6]

Your premise is anything can be a house rule if not illegal.  Right?  New house rule...  My place is 1 dollar per day but the house rule states you must deposit a 100 bill in the home time safe each evening.  Although a ridiculous extreme rule, it is legal.  If you think about it, forcing timeshare presentations is the same.  The host is making money outside the AirBnb fee in both cases.