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Some love it, some hate it, but after a couple of experiences I decided it just wasn’t for me, so simply this post is about why I don’t use Airbnb when I’m travelling.
Why I Don’t Use Airbnb
It Could Be Illegal
You may have found the perfect looking accommodation, but it is also possible that the host and Airbnb themselves could be breaking local laws by listing certain types of accommodation for certain durations.
For instance, it is illegal to rent an entire apartment in New York City for less than 30 days, however, it is still the most popular city for travellers to stay for less than 30 days and book via Airbnb, so clearly there are people out there who are still not following the rules.
If the local authority turns up during your stay, not only could your host be gifted with a huge fine but you will have to prove that you have no knowledge of the illegal activity and then you’ll find yourself homeless in an unfamiliar location.
The Host May Not Be the Owner
There are a huge number of properties listed on Airbnb by people who don’t even own the property and are actually sub-letting illegally.
This could also lead you to be thrown out if the “host” is caught and once the real owner of the property is found.
It Could Be Impacting Locals
It might be great finding the perfect accommodation in your ideal destination, but have you ever stopped to think about how your rental could be effecting other people in the local area?
What started out as people renting out their spare rooms to earn a little extra cash has now turned everyday people into landlords and even property developers. People are now buying houses and flats and renting them out on a short-term basis and then leaving them vacant for months on end, this in turn means that rental prices are sky-rocketing and leaving locals priced-out of living in their own cities.
It Doesn’t Help the Local Economy
Think about the last time you stayed in a hotel and who you saw work there: receptionists, cleaners, concierge, chefs, waiters, these are the people who have been provided with jobs in order to keep a local business going.
It might cost more to stay in a hotel, but you are paying for services and also the additional security or both yourself and your belongings.
You’re Still Expected to Clean and Cook
You might be on holiday, but you have chosen to stay in someone else’s property, so regardless of the duration of your stay and the size of the property, you will still have to cook for yourself and then clean up before you leave. If you fail to leave the property in a decent condition the host could leave you a bad review, which in turn could cause other hosts to reject your future bookings.
You’re Not Guaranteed Safety and Security
A host can actually cancel a booking without giving any notice so you could arrive in your destination and find yourself stranded and the hassle of finding an alternative place to stay. If they’re not particularly reliable you could also find yourself waiting for them to arrive with the keys, and this could be at any time of day or night depending on when you arrived at your destination.
The problem is that because the majority of Airbnb listings are private properties they do not have to follow any official standards or regulations, unlike hotels or B&Bs.
My last experience with Airbnb ended with the host turning up early (8am) on my final morning with the next booked guest (I wasn’t due to leave until 10am) using her own key to enter the apartment, and letting him in to drop his luggage off, all while I was sat in the middle of her living room, wearing my pajamas, with the entire contents of my suitcase laid out being folded and packed.
With over 150 million users worldwide, it is obvious that most people have a positive experience and with over 650,000 hosts I’m definitely not saying that they are all bad or untrustworthy, but in my opinion there just aren’t enough regulations around how properties are managed. I think in some instances it can be incredibly useful, for staying in more rural and isolated locations it can allow people to visit destinations and explore in a more unique manner. However, in large cities where there are plenty of hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, pubs, with a wide range of rates and services available I really don’t think we should be encouraging unscrupulous hosts.
When it first started Airbnb was a great idea, it was local people with spare rooms, offering visitors the chance to experience destinations like a local, even with the chance of swapping skills such as cooking and getting local recommendations. Now, that has been taken over by people simply looking to make quick and easy money, and potentially putting their guests at risk.
I can understand why people use Airbnb, you can find some really unusual and special accommodation in fantastic places for great prices, but for me personally I prefer to know that my money is going to a small and independent business and not just lining a single person’s pocket, and that my visiting a destination is assisting the local economy but not negatively effecting the local people.
Do you use Airbnb?
Let me know in the comments.
