Be Wary Of Airbnb Listings

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

We visited Anaheim and stayed in an absolutely beautiful flat in the ‘platinum residential area’.
Trouble was that when we were met at the gate, the letter informed that short term let’s were not allowed and that if challenged we were to say that we were his personal friends, staying at no cost.

As it was 1900 and my options were somewhat limited, I had to go along with it and the stay passed without incident.

Due diligence are the key words and as a retired DC, I should have picked up on this issue. It is hardly as if the research would have been difficult. I was simply lazy on this occasion.

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We had similar nearly 20 years ago in Sarasota. Pre Air BnB and even pre internet, we had found the Britsh owners through a Villa magazine. We weren't too impressed to turn up and realise it was actually a townhouse but it was very nice at least. It was our first ever rental so we didn't realise the true picture until becoming villa owners.

The owners told us to tell anyone we were personal friends and had no management company. We now know it was in an area AND complex not zoned for short term rentals, they can't have been properly insured either and we had no local contact for any problems.

We got lucky and had no problems but can you believe they sent us letter asking if we wanted to pay a lump sum for 10 years worth of discounted rentals? An illegal timeshare agreement with people we had never even met wasn't exactly appealing!

[DisneyNewbie]

I used Air b&b for the first time this summer. Booking 2 cottages in different parts of the UK. Had no problems whatsoever and also had great communication from them both. They were both superhosts with tons of positive reviews. I would use again.

[duchy]

I'm a big fan of Airbnb but I tend to only book properties with loads of reviews and read them obsessively , as much for what they reviewers don't say as what they do say ! As it's mutual reviewing there's an unwritten code of how to express what was right and if the obvious things aren't mentioned over and over like cleanliness or bed comfort I tend to discard them.
We once had a flat below the owners and the husband was quite loud , I did mention it nicely to the wife and she was fine as she knew he could be noisy and we had no further issues after that and their review said they'd welcome us booking again . They were quite new to Airbnb and I think welcomed the honesty. I didn't put it in the review as it was resolved and everything else was wonderful.

[CarolynU]

I’ve never stayed in an Airbnb after once ending up in a sub par place in Miami rented via one of those other rent a home type place.
However, next week 9 of us have been booked into what on the surface overnight looks an amazing Airbnb in London. It’s about £900 for the night and I don’t have to pay anything luckily, as it’s the treat of the parents of the birthday girl. I’ll be interested to see whether or not I might consider this in the future or not or remain cautious or whether this too will be a scam.

[HiddenMickey35]

I first time booked Airbnb at Largs apartment and it was beautiful apartment. I know that have to be careful. But this apartment was amazing and front of seaview and see the sunset was awesome.

[Melbatb]

We are regular Airbnb users - both here on France and also in the USA and Canada (though I do check it is legal).

We have not had any issues and have stayed in some fabulous places. We travel around our region a lot for competitions with our DD and the dog and airbnb allows us to find places near to the competitions and with more space than a hotel room.

While I do agree it pays to be careful, and you have to read the reviews carefully (as Duchy says - as much as for what they don’t say as they do! ) please don’t be put off using them because of some issues of a few people.

[Posiesmum]

We also had a very positive experience with AirB&B in Belfast this summer. Lovely flat and brilliant host. Our daughter has used them all over Europe and the States (she runs marathons) with no bad experiences. She is actually a super host herself and AirB&Bs her London flat when she works abroad.

[Pumpkin Pie]

My neighbour was caught out earlier this year. She was going on a three night trip to Amsterdam with friends and booked an apartment online. Don’t know the ins and outs really but a few days before the trip and after paying the full amount the whole site disappeared. She had been scammed.

If it can happen to her it can happen to anyone - she is a professional, intelligent woman.

[Melbatb]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie

My neighbour was caught out earlier this year. She was going on a three night trip to Amsterdam with friends and booked an apartment online. Don’t know the ins and outs really but a few days before the trip and after paying the full amount the whole site disappeared. She had been scammed.

If it can happen to her it can happen to anyone - she is a professional, intelligent woman.

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With airbnb you pay airbnb. The money isn’t released to the owner until after the first night. So you can say if there is a problem when you arrive.

[Macca04]

Never used them before but seriously considering them for our stay in SF, some useful tips on here.