The Secret Life of an Obsessive Airbnb Host

http://narrative.ly/couch-surfing-capers/secret-life-obsessive-airbnb-host/

by Calcite • 12 years ago

148 30 12 years ago

Airbnb and a crazed host landed me in a police car once. My crime: having my girlfriend over, and being male.

Airbnb offered me a 500 USD voucher, which barely covered the cost of my last minute Holiday Inn stay that I had to make to, well, not spend the night on the street after getting kicked out, and it's all water under the bridge now, but nightmare stories happen both ways.

watwut• 12 years ago

What were you accused of?

lodewijkadlp• 12 years ago

Rape, I think.

plorkyeran• 12 years ago

Hiring a prostitute I assume.

personlurking• 12 years ago

Slightly similar to the guy who squatted at AOL around the same time (2012).

http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/26/after-2-months-of-squatting...

davedx• 12 years ago

We've used AirBNB quite a lot now, with our most recent booking being a cottage in the Lake District, UK for our whole family, kids, baby and all. Never had a problem as a guest, but I would be more hesitant to use AirBNB as a host, given the legal climate.

Theodores2• 12 years ago

I am looking forward to the Airbnb movie which is obviously a rom-com of sorts with the pilot paid for by Airbnb rentals and the script written from true life experiences such as this story (with some rom-com elements being pure fantasy rather than grounded in reality).

klenwell• 12 years ago

Then you'll probably enjoy this. The Trixie episode of High Maintenance:

http://vimeo.com/56895025

Theodores2• 12 years ago

Having seen that I can now see that we can expect a lot more! Thanks for the link.

coldcode• 12 years ago

Why do I have to give my email address in order to read this?

eddieroger• 12 years ago

You don't. I was able to click "No Thanks," and read the whole article.

yardshop• 12 years ago

Or just click outside of the newsletter subscription box.

dfc• 12 years ago

I did not have to give my email address, nor was I asked to supply my address. . Maybe turn off JS? I have NoScript+RequestPolicy running with nothing allowed for that domain.

archagon• 12 years ago

As a guest, I feel way more safe using Airbnb when I'm renting an extra room in the host's home. Even better if there are strict-sounding house rules. It makes me feel like I'm sharing a living space with a real person rather than helping somebody play landlord with their rental-only flat. And judging by the article, it's better for the hosts as well.

I've been living like this with different people for the past month or so. It's been about the same price as a hostel and so much more comfortable and interesting! It would be a shame if lack of trust brought prices up and made this way of life no longer viable.

gedrap2• 12 years ago

Great tip. I felt tempted to try AirBNB many times but I just didn't feel comfortable with that. I guess geeky social awkwardness was taking over :)

DanBC• 12 years ago

If used wisely and responsibly,

Being an illegal sublet and uninsured doesn't feel wise or responsible.

xtracto• 12 years ago

In addition to that, this man was illegally staying in his office overnight. The fact that he used his office's resources doesn't make him clever, but something else.

wpietri3• 12 years ago

Would you mind finding me the relevant law that makes napping under the desk a crime? I didn't realize that I was a serial offender until you mentioned it. It's a wonder that Google hasn't been busted for their nap rooms yet.

Personally, I'd say it makes him clever as long as he didn't bother anybody. Admittedly, I live in the savage lands of California, where practically anything goes. But if somebody who worked for me had both the chutzpah to attempt this and enough consideration for others to pull it off without us catching on, I'd give 'em a standing ovation.

lifeisstillgood• 12 years ago

It’s no secret that Airbnb’s housing stock is partially composed of listings that are technically forbidden by a landlord, co-op board, or city ordinance

This sounds like you tubes early days - ignore the copies of DVDs and music videos until have enough scale not tomworry anymore.

But ... That's not a proper strategy is it? And is there a class action means of preventing it? If a landlord sues Airbnb can they be forced to stop renting beds they have not legal right to?

Just catching up on the Airbnb story

omilu• 12 years ago

I'm creeped out about the idea of some perv bugging his house with hidden cameras then renting it on airBNB, this alone is why I havn't used airbnb for me or my family.

Paul_Morgan• 12 years ago

Any website that throws up a subscribe dialog box like this I'm going to avoid. (DR)

The Secret Life of an Obsessive Airbnb Host

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