Selling property, new buyers can't keep reservations???? What???

[Scott1509]

I'm selling a condo in Myrtle Beach. I have a lot of reservations for 2024 and 25. The buyers would like to honor the reservations as i would like them to as well. I was just told on support call that this can't happen? This is insane. So the 20 folks that made reservations  just get cancelled? They said the new people have to create their own and can get new reservations going forward. (really????) Or, they said I could stay active and make them a co-host. Then I'd have to change bank info etc, and I'd still be responsible for the income ? Someone please tell me this is wrong or there is a work around. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Scott1509 No known work arounds especially with tax implications of just handing over passwords etc. Also you will be heavily fined for the cancellations I am afraid.

[Scott1509]

I can't even believe this. I have other listings, and I couldn't even get a straight answer from airbnb. Just kept putting me on hold. Some reservations are within the next month. This is sad.

[Kia272]

@Scott1509  Those guests with future reservations booked with YOU as the host, and the reviews associated with your property. There is no guarantee that the new owners have a clue about hosting, or will manage the property as you have done. 

Imagine yourself in this situation, where you researched and booked a property, and then the property changed hands, and ultimately it isn't delivered as promised, the reviews have tanked, etc. Now do you understand why AirBnB can't transfer reservations to a new owner? 

[Scott1509]

No I don't. Imagine that you booked a vacation a year in advance and right before you are ready to go, you get and email that your reservation has been cancelled. A simple message from Airbnb stating this property has changed hands, the reviews of the past owner may not be indicative of the new owner. If you wish to maintain your reservation, click the following link ......(something like this of a disclaimer) I actually care about the folks that have reserved our properties and although it means nothing financially to us now that it will be sold, I feel an obligation and would not want to be in that position myself.  

[Kia272]

I believe that because you are so involved in this personally you are not able to consider the situation rationally. You are the one breaking the contract with your guests, albeit for a valid reason.  

It's not AirBnB's job to get involved in situations like this. They are a listing platform and nothing more, and expecting more from them is usually self-defeating. 

While I don't agree with their policy of charging hosts big cancellation $$ in this particular situation (property being sold), I don't expect them to do anything to help. 

When did your property go on the market, and when did you stop taking reservations for the future. I think that's important to know. 

[Frances3408]

@Scott1509. Scott, is the sale definitely proceeding and do you have a settlement date yet as your calendar is still wide open? You might like to review this ASAP as well as your cancellation policy to minimise cancellation fees and make better transitional arrangements. Your bookings need to be told about the sale and given the chance to rebook with new hosts. Your non refundable booking strategy to date is now problematic

I agree its not a good look but if you are trying to keep the money from bookings as a carrot for the sale price you might just need to do some more work and tolerate the complications to make it happen.

I note when a popular Airbnb was sold in our area Oct last year we had a last minute enquiry from one of their cancelled bookings who had booked 6 months prior for New Year. They were extremely upset that not only was nothing available for their dates but the price they thought they had locked in was way below market price and could not be found anywhere else (especially last minute). Host probably didnt care as they had already instigated a flexible cancellation policy before listing for sale, which gave them and guests no penalty as the settlements here are at least 6 weeks. They had also closed off their calendar and restricted the timeframe for future bookings.

Property has not returned to Airbnb to date.

[Alex1485]

Why can’t you add them as a cohost - add their bank information, redirect  the split 95% to them and  5% to you…

they can take over the management of this one listing…. 

[Rebecca]

Hi there @Scott1509 👋 

It's been a few days since you posted; did you decide what to do going forward? 

Looking forward to hearing from you, 

Rebecca 🌟