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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not email Airbnb host my photo ID?

39 replies

gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 12:53

Have stayed with Airbnb several times, both in UK and abroad. My account is verified with a photo ID.
I have just booked a couple more stays and received the following reply in response to one with confirmation of my booking being accepted and payment taken...

“Thank you for your reservation, as part of our checks please could you provide photo ID and confirm the names of all guests. It is a requirement under the hotel act 1972 to request this. If you could e-mail this to * ”

I have replied confirming I am the only guest and as I am a UK citizen/resident I don’t believe I need to supply photo ID.

There was nothing in the house rules to say this was a requirement of booking. I also am a little concerned from a GDPR and identity theft perspective. Anyone had this before as a UK resident staying in a UK Airbnb? Any hosts able to confirm that this is correct and my verified ID account isn’t sufficient? Should I look to cancel and book somewhere else in case they cancel on me?

AIBU not to provide it at all, let alone to a separate email address outside of Airbnb?

OP posts:
CourtneyLurve · 02/08/2020 12:54

It's not a requirement under Airbnb rules, so no, you don't have to.

Miniminiminimini · 02/08/2020 12:56

Have you checked the legislation they’re quoting? That’ll tell you if you need to or not.

altforvarmt · 02/08/2020 13:03

There is no Hotel Act 1972. There is the The Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972.

It says:

Provision of information by visitors
4.—(1) Every person of or over the age of 16 years who stays at any premises to which this Order applies shall, on arriving at the premises, inform the keeper of the premises of his full name and nationality.
(2) Every such person who is an alien shall also—
(a)on arriving at the premises, inform the keeper of the premises of the number and place of issue of his passport, certificate of registration or other document establishing his identity and nationality; and
(b)on or before his departure from the premises, inform the keeper of the premises of his next destination and, if it is known to him, his full address there.

That would suggest that you need only provide your name and nationality. Assuming you are a UK citizen, then as a non-alien, you’re not obligated to provide anything further (nor should they be asking for anything more).

I’d be tempted to cancel, in your shoes, and book somewhere else.

Original poster
gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 13:05

I’ve tried but it’s mostly extracts when I google. It seems to apply if your not a uk resident, so I don’t think it applies to me. I’ve never been asked for ID in a UK hotel either.

OP posts:
Original poster
gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 13:07

Thanks @altforvarmt that’s really helpful. Yes I think I’ll have to cancel. A shame as this place would have been ideal otherwise.

OP posts:
MulticolourMophead · 02/08/2020 13:08

I've stayed in many hotels over the years, and have never been asked for photo ID. I wouldn't email it either. As your photo ID has been verified, they can easily look for confirmation on the site.

StatementKnickers · 02/08/2020 13:13

Report the message to airbnb and see what they say. YANBU and you shouldn't have to have a cancellation on your record because of this.

Choppedupapple · 02/08/2020 13:13

If this is an established Airbnb host then why cancel? Why not just do it? Why the drama? What it is that you are worried about?

Hingeandbracket · 02/08/2020 13:16

@Choppedupapple

If this is an established Airbnb host then why cancel? Why not just do it? Why the drama? What it is that you are worried about?
Didn't you read this from the OP?

"There was nothing in the house rules to say this was a requirement of booking. I also am a little concerned from a GDPR and identity theft perspective. "

BrightYellowDaffodil · 02/08/2020 13:16

Ask them to quote the relevant part of the legislation they're referencing.

It's amazing how many people quote legislation that doesn't exist and/or is entirely irrelevant to the situation in hand Grin

ReplacementPlasticUterus · 02/08/2020 13:24

The Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 only relates to 'aliens' as defined under the British Nationality Act, which as a UK citizen you are not.

I think if they're going to go about quoting non-existing legislation, you are quite right to point out they're wrong, and also to worry about whether they're fully cognisant of their responsibilities under other real regulations such as GDPR.

Why not see what they say when they respond though, before cancelling?

Ladylimpet · 02/08/2020 13:33

Is this Portugal op? I'm sure I've had to it there, although I was aware before I booked. I'm sure it is a requirement?

Ladylimpet · 02/08/2020 13:34

Sorry, ignore me! Just seen you said it's for UK. No, not seen that before!

Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 02/08/2020 13:39

Is it a self contained unit or a room in their house that you’ll be staying in?

notheragain4 · 02/08/2020 13:42

Ask them under what legal basis of the GDPR do they require your photo ID.

Original poster
gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 13:42

I’ve contacted the host asking for clarification on which part of the legislation applies and also said I was uncomfortable emailing my ID due to issues of GDPR and identity theft. I pointed out that my account was already ID verified and felt that should be sufficient. I also said that as this wasn’t mentioned in the rules as a requirement I’d feel justified in cancelling. I'll see what she says and then decide.

OP posts:
Original poster
gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 13:43

@Mycatismadeofstringcheese it’s a self contained flat.

OP posts:
Original poster
gillybean2 · 02/08/2020 15:05

Host has replied saying they ask for ID due to “unwanted guests” in the past. Having read my reviews she’s happy with my booking. I didn’t press further for the relevant legislation but I feel better informed should it ever come up again. Thanks everyone for your input and help.

OP posts:
notheragain4 · 02/08/2020 15:14

How would your ID show if you're an "unwanted guest" or not...?!

cologne4711 · 02/08/2020 15:14

Not sure why getting photo ID would have any impact on whether a guest behaves nicely or not. If someone wants a rowdy party or isn't very good at cleaning up after themselves, whether they've sent a scan of their driving licence will make zero difference.

I know some pubs/restaurants are asking for photo ID as part of the track and trace thing - also a nonsense, they just need name and tel no.

MitziK · 02/08/2020 15:23

@gillybean2

Host has replied saying they ask for ID due to “unwanted guests” in the past. Having read my reviews she’s happy with my booking. I didn’t press further for the relevant legislation but I feel better informed should it ever come up again. Thanks everyone for your input and help.
'Unwanted guests' = People with brown faces.
knittingaddict · 02/08/2020 15:45

'Unwanted guests' = People with brown faces

I did wonder if that might be it too as it's the only obvious thing I can think that a photo would show. The fact that the legislation they quoted was related to immigration does suggest that too.

phoenixrosehere · 02/08/2020 16:05

I was asked something like this by an Airbnb host. I just took a selfie with my phone, and it was fine. I didn’t need an official ID or anything though. U.K. resident with a U.S passport. Think it was either for a stay in Paris or Rotterdam. No issues with the Airbnb host and had a great trip.

CopperBeeches · 02/08/2020 16:06

Why assume a racist motive? Do yuo know what race the owner is? Or the OP?

What she likely means is - as we had - bookings in the name of one person and persons other than the registered guest staying. A problem more common than you might think especially in self-contained flats, (popular for parties). She'll be happy if the reviews are consistent and long standing

melj1213 · 02/08/2020 16:10

Could it just have been a default/auto generated email from the host? If they're used to having overseas customers then they have to take a copy of ID etc so perhaps they just have that in their confirmation reply and dont change it for UK guests?

Also the whole "unwanted guests" thing might be that they have had incidences of people booking their property as a single/family trip only to have a hen/stag party or other large group turn up and trash the place but they havent been able to prove to AirBnB that they weren't aware it was being booked for a large group, so now they ask for the list of guests (so if 3 are listed but 10 turn up then they can justifiably cancel the booking)

Generally I wouldnt be that bothered, I'd have just emailed to say "My AirBnB account is ID verified and I'm not an international traveller so that legislation doesnt apply, do you still want my ID?"

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