AIBU to ask why airbnb hosts are still renting rooms in private houses?

[Frannyhy]

I will say upfront that I am an airbnb host. I rent a room in my own home with some facilities being shared with my guests, (not the kitchen.) I had a load of cleaning directives from them which is fine, but I decided I wouldn’t take guests in lockdown.

Why? It’s not worth risking my life to earn a few quid. I shouldn’t be providing the means for people to travel illegally and potentially spread Covid to my neighbours and community. And guests still do ask me to stay. I’ve just had a lady say she was missing seeing her grand-child so much. Could I just bend the rules for her. I said no, but I’m sure she will find an irresponsible host to accommodate her.

Airbnb beat us with the Superhost stick, to keep us all in line. I am a Superhost but this will go at the next assessment because I won’t break the law during lockdown and accept guests.

Check out airbnb and see how many selfish, irresponsible hosts are still renting rooms in privates houses. Even with airbnb “enhanced” cleaning directives, this shouldn’t be happening. Get on to twitter and ask airbnb why they are allowing this.

I think you are totally right, it should not be happening in the current climate, assuming you are in UK.

The only circumstances it should be possible is that the property is empty. And even then, cleaning would come with some associated risks.

How Airbnb can hit you with the Superhost stick is truly mind-boggling and just shows you how desperate they are to keep the gravy train rolling on.

Yes I am in the UK.

I don’t have a problem with s/c accommodation being let, but I think rooms in a house shared with a host are a no no.

Are they getting much custom though? If people aren't (generally speaking) allowed to travel outside of the local area, who is using the service?

I had to find emergency accommodation for two days during the last lockdown as our rented house was uninhabitable due to a flood. I wouldn't have even considered an Air BnB room in a private house. It's not just that the hosts are putting their own health at risk, they're showing they don't care about their guests' health either.

I too am an Airbnb Superhost and we stopped hosting last February when we started feeling uncomfortable about Covid.

Lots of people still ask to stay or people looking to rent until they find something else, and like you we decline.

So far AirBnB have kept our Superhost status which surprised me... I can't see them taking it away when we can't legally host.

A room in private house, yes, that doesn't seem right at all. However just wanted to point out some people do still require accommodation for legit reasons. My family and I are have just moved to the UK from abroad, we've stayed in temporary accommodation for the past month but have got three days to bridge before we can move into our new rental. A hotel seems unwise at the moment as it will bring us more in contact with others, so I was very happy that after two hosts cancelled on us, one airbnb host was willing to accept us as guests in her freestanding holiday let. Granted it's unusual but it's not all illegal travel.