Airbnb News

Italy has banned metal key boxes outside rental properties in the latest move to regulate Airbnb lettings around the country.

The new rule is forcing Airbnb owners to greet their guests in person and thereby replaces the practice where renters would collect keys from a locked box. The change, according to Italian police chief Vittorio Pisani, is in place to stop “dangerous people” from avoiding police. He connected some Airbnb rentals with criminal and terrorist organisations and underlined the necessity of strict regulations.

Addressing Security Concerns

Through Airbnb properties, anyone can rent accommodations online without having to present documents in person. That loophole, says Pisani, has increased security risks.

“The need has arisen to implement stringent measures aimed at preventing threats to public order and safety linked to the possible housing of dangerous persons involved in criminal or terrorist organisations,” Pisani said.

Key boxes, which are often accessed with a code shared online, have now become a symbol of unregulated short-term lettings.

Florence Takes the Lead

Florence introduced a similar ban in November last year to deal with over-tourism. It has seen an explosion in the number of visitors, which has led to a rise in Airbnb conversions that residents can no longer afford. In protest, locals have vandalised key boxes, placing red crosses on them or affixing stickers that read: “Let’s save Florence so we can live in it.”

The flood of tourists, 7.8 million visitors in 2024 this has strained the city’s resources. Florence’s council has warned the numbers are unsustainable, threatening the city’s heritage and livability.

Public Backlash and Larger Problems

The rise in short-term lettings has stoked anger among other cities’ residents, who have daubed key boxes with messages such as: “Less short lets, more houses for all.”.

Tourists’ behavior has also come under criticism. Last week, a tourist climbed up and kissed a copy of Giambologna’s Bacchus statue in Florence, prompting authorities to call for stiffer punishment for vandalism. “Florence is a city that doesn’t make visitors respect it,” said Patrizia Asproni of Confcultura, calling for a “zero tolerance” approach. Police chief Antonella Ranaldi added, “Tourists are welcome, but there must be respect for our monuments, whether they are originals or copy.” Broader Implications The national ban on key boxes reflects a significant shift in how Italy will approach short-term rentals, a growing tension between preserving cultural heritage and accommodating tourism.

In a recent update shared during Airbnb’s “Spring Product Update,” the company unveiled its substantial efforts to prioritize quality and reliability across its platform. With a focus on enhancing the overall guest experience, Airbnb has removed a staggering 100,000 listings, marking the largest set of removals in the company’s history. This article explores the details surrounding this initiative and sheds light on Airbnb’s commitment to ensuring every guest enjoys a stellar stay.

Their Approach to Quality

According to Article 1, Airbnb’s determination of quality goes beyond a simple overall rating. The company employs a comprehensive approach, taking into account subcategory ratings, host cancellations, and quality-related community support issues. To better assess listings that fall short of community expectations, Airbnb launched an updated hosting quality system in April 2023.

The first three months following the implementation of the updated system saw the removal of 12,000 low-quality listings. Airbnb has since removed a staggering total of 100,000 listings that consistently failed to meet the community’s standards for a satisfactory guest experience. The commitment doesn’t stop there; Airbnb continues to evaluate every listing after each stay, ensuring ongoing quality assurance.

Education and Collaboration with Hosts

Before removing a listing, Airbnb engages in a collaborative effort with hosts, providing them with education, tips, and actionable feedback directly in their account dashboard. This proactive approach aims to empower hosts to enhance their guests’ experience and address potential issues before they escalate.

Verification and Guest Confidence

Airbnb is taking additional steps to boost guest confidence through its verification process. By the end of the month, nearly 1.5 million listings will have completed this process, featuring verification badges for enhanced transparency. The company is also introducing new tools, such as video and photo verification, to further authenticate listings and plans to expand listing verification to additional countries.

Airbnb is refining its “Guest Favorites” identification system, providing unique highlights for the top 25% of listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability. The company is also expanding its integration with smart lock providers, emphasizing security and convenience for guests.

The Aim

Airbnb’s significant removal of 100,000 listings underscores its unwavering commitment to quality and reliability. By employing a holistic approach, collaborating with hosts, and introducing new verification processes, Airbnb aims to ensure every guest has a great stay. As the company continues to innovate and prioritize quality over quantity, guests can look forward to a more secure and enjoyable experience on the platform.

In a significant policy shift, Airbnb has announced a ban on hosts using indoor security cameras starting April 30. The move comes as a response to concerns raised by guests about privacy invasion and hidden cameras in short-term rentals. This article explores the implications of this ban and its potential impact on both hosts and guests, delving into the reasoning behind Airbnb’s decision and the challenges it may face in enforcing the new rules.

The Evolution of Airbnb’s Surveillance Policies

Initially allowing hosts to install security cameras in common areas, Airbnb faced mounting issues as guests reported encountering hidden cameras in private spaces. The company’s prior policies required hosts to disclose the presence of cameras, make them visible, and refrain from placing them in sensitive areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. However, violations persisted, prompting Airbnb’s reconsideration of its surveillance regulations.

While the ban aims to prioritize guest privacy, hosts have used cameras to deter disruptive parties and protect their properties. The use of security cameras in common areas served as a tool for hosts to maintain control and security.

Airbnb’s Response and Rule Changes

Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, emphasized that the rule changes were made in consultation with guests, hosts, and privacy experts. The new policy not only bans indoor security cameras but also introduces rules for outdoor cameras and noise decibel monitors. Airbnb seeks to strike a balance, allowing hosts to monitor their properties while respecting the privacy expectations of guests.

Challenges in Enforcement

Despite the new rules, challenges remain in enforcing the ban effectively. Airbnb plans to investigate reported violations and penalize hosts by removing listings or accounts. However, the company has already required hosts to disclose indoor cameras, and some guests still report hidden and undisclosed cameras. The effectiveness of this new policy will depend on Airbnb’s ability to address such challenges and adapt to emerging surveillance technologies.

Impacts on the Airbnb Community

With 7.7 million listings globally, Airbnb asserts that the majority do not have security cameras. This ban is expected to impact a relatively small subset of listings, striking a balance between guest privacy and host security concerns. As Airbnb continues to face regulatory scrutiny worldwide, this policy change aligns with broader efforts to enhance the quality of listings and address concerns about the platform’s impact on local communities.

Innovative Alternatives

As indoor security cameras are phased out, noise and occupancy monitoring solutions may come to the forefront. These systems offer features such as security alarms, sirens, and tamper detection, providing hosts with effective tools to prevent parties and address unruly behaviour without compromising guest privacy.

Advantages of Noise & Occupancy Monitoring

1. Real-time Alerts: These systems can send real-time alerts directly to hosts’ mobile phones, allowing swift response to potential issues.
2. Privacy-Focused: By eliminating the need for cameras, hosts can maintain guest privacy while still having tools to ensure property security.
3. Tamper Detection: Advanced features like tamper detection enhance the effectiveness of these monitoring solutions, offering comprehensive protection.

Noise Decibel Solutions

• Minut
• Noise Aware
• Room Monitor
• Alertify

Challenges and Considerations

While noise and occupancy monitoring present a promising alternative, hosts must carefully evaluate the specific needs of their property. Ensuring that these systems are installed in common areas and do not compromise guest privacy is essential. These devices must be disclosed in your listing and inform your guests of their locations. Striking the right balance between security measures and privacy considerations remains a challenge that hosts and technology providers must collectively address.

Airbnb’s ban on indoor security cameras reflects a proactive step toward safeguarding guest privacy. Striking a balance between hosts’ security concerns and guests’ right to privacy remains a challenge, but the new rules demonstrate Airbnb’s commitment to evolving its policies. As the platform seeks feedback and adapts to emerging issues, the ban marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of short-term rentals and the delicate balance between security and privacy in the digital age.

The landscape of short-term holiday lets in England is on the brink of transformation, as the government, led by Housing Secretary Michael Gove, unveils a comprehensive plan to regulate the industry. The proposed measures aim to address concerns about housing affordability, anti-social behaviour, and the impact of short-term lets on local communities. Airbnb, a major player in the short-term rental market, has expressed support for the proposed changes, while others argue that the measures fall short of addressing the broader challenges facing the housing market.

Mandatory Register and Planning Process

One of the key proposals is the introduction of a mandatory register of short-term let landlords, a move supported by Airbnb. The register is designed to provide local authorities with essential information about short-term lets in their areas, enabling them to better understand the scope of the market, assess its impact on communities, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Additionally, the government plans to grant greater power to councils in controlling short-term lets by subjecting them to the planning process.

Changes in Planning Use Class

Under the proposed changes, a new planning use class will be created specifically for short-term lets that are not used as the sole or main home. Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically be reclassified into this new use class, eliminating the need for a separate planning application. This move is intended to streamline the regulatory process and provide clarity for both hosts and local authorities.

Permitted Development Rights and Flexibility

The government also intends to introduce associated permitted development rights, allowing properties to transition between short-term lets and standard residential dwellings. However, local authorities will retain the ability to remove these permissions and require full planning permission if they deem it necessary. This balance aims to offer flexibility while ensuring that the transition between different property uses is regulated appropriately.

Airbnb’s Perspective

Airbnb, a global leader in short-term rentals, welcomes the government’s announcement and expresses optimism about the positive impact on both hosts and local communities. Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, emphasizes the benefits of clear rules for hosts and the valuable information the register will provide to local authorities. Cupples stresses Airbnb’s commitment to being a responsible partner and addressing the challenges faced by communities.

Divergent Views

While Airbnb supports the proposed changes, the Short Term Accommodation Association, a trade body representing short-term lets providers, expresses disappointment. CEO Andy Fenner argues that the registration scheme, while a step in the right direction, falls short of addressing the broader challenges faced by the industry. Fenner highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach that considers all types of accommodation to inform well-informed planning decisions.

Will this Help the UK Housing Crisis?

As the government introduces new regulations for short-term holiday lets in England, the debate surrounding their impact on housing, communities, and the broader tourism industry intensifies. While Airbnb applauds the proposed changes for providing clarity and transparency, some industry representatives argue that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the complexities of housing supply and affordability. The evolving landscape of short-term holiday lets will undoubtedly continue to shape discussions among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities in the months to come.

Airbnb has agreed to pay 576 million euros (about $621 million) to settle a tax dispute in Italy. The disagreement spanned several years and involved taxes that Airbnb failed to pay on behalf of landlords using the platform between 2017 and 2021. Rather than asking hosts for the money, Airbnb plans to introduce new tools to automatically withhold and pay taxes to Italian authorities on behalf of hosts. These Airbnb tools will help both landlords and Airbnb stay on the right side of the law.

Italian prosecutors claimed Airbnb owed around 779 million euros (approximately $840 million) in short-term rental taxes. The majority of Airbnb hosts in Italy are live hosts and families who use the the platform for generating extra income. The company hopes that the settlement and new tools will bring clarity to hosting rules for these families.

In 2022, the European Union’s Court of Justice ruled that member countries could require short-term rental platforms to collect income taxes. Airbnb has welcomed the clarity provided by the Italian government’s budget law on how platforms should handle income taxes for non-professional hosts. The company is committed to working with Italian authorities to ensure the success of these rules.

Italy is a crucial market for Airbnb, with many hosts using the platform. The government, led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, has pledged to address tax evasion related to short-term rentals and plans to increase the tax rate for owners from 21% to 26%.

Calling all Christmas enthusiasts and adventure seekers! Imagine staying in Santa Claus’s own cabin in Finland. A unique opportunity awaits you at Santa’s actual post office in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. From next week, this magical destination will be available for booking on Airbnb, and the best part is… it’s complete free! To experience this extraordinary stay, you’ll be taught by no other then the esteemed Chief Elf, Katja. They will teach you how to get your hands dirty and help out with the postal workload.

After all the letter handling and mailbox emptying, you’ll be rewarded with a feast of hearty Finnish cuisine, an exhilarating snowmobile ride, a mesmerising Northern Lights viewing, and even a relaxing sauna session.

“The elves have been working tirelessly to transform Santa Claus’ Cabin into a winter wonderland,” Katja reveals. “Not only will guests get to sleep in this iconic cabin, but they’ll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of the world’s Official Santa Claus’ Post Office during our busiest time of year.”

Guests will enjoy a complimentary vacation to Rovaniemi, Finland, courtesy of Visit Finland. Complimentary round-trip flights from London Heathrow Airport to Rovaniemi will be provided by Finnair. This all-inclusive package includes accommodations for up to two adults and two children aged 5-11, with breakfast and dinner included.

Booking open on the 11th December. Be sure to book to be in with a chance!

Premier Host, akin to Airbnb’s Superhost program, is a complimentary initiative that helps recognise property hosts who consistent deliver exceptional stays for guests. Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, hosts will automatically become part of this exclusive program.

Premier Hosts are distinguished by a badge displayed on their listing. VRBO also introduce the Premier Host filter, allowing guests to refine their search and view only properties that have obtained Premier Host status. This feature empowers guests to make informed decisions, ensuring a premium selection of properties by hosts committed to providing exceptional experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

To attain Premier Host status, each listing within your account must meet the following benchmarks:

• Maintain an average review rating of 4.4 or higher.
• Achieve a booking acceptance rate of 95% or above.
• Sustain an owner-initiated cancellation rate of 1% or lower.
• Have a minimum of 3 VRBO reviews.
• Secure at least 5 bookings or 60 booked nights.
• Premier Host Perks

Is it worth being a Premier Host?

The advantages of being a Premier Host extend to all properties within your account, encompassing:

• A distinguished Premier Host badge.
• Inclusion in the Premier Host filter for enhanced visibility.
• Participation in the Boost program designed to optimise your search position.
• Premier Host Filter

Plus the program is free, and you only need to maintain your high standards.

Quarterly Evaluations

To ensure the quality remains high for hosts consistently providing exceptional guest experiences, VRBO conducts quarterly assessments. These assessments occur on 1st February, 1st May , 1st August, and 1st November.

Ensure your keep those reviews high and get into the Premier Host program today and elevate your hosting experience to new heights.

Airbnb has officially ended the Airbnb Plus Program as of November 6th. Airbnb Plus was an invitation-only program designed to highlight and promote listings that met Airbnb’s rigorous standards and a comprehensive checklist. It stood apart from Superhost status due to its more stringent requirements.

To earn an Airbnb Plus badge, hosts needed to receive an invitation to the program. They then underwent an initial inspection, which included professional photos taken of their property. While both Superhosts and Airbnb Plus hosts provided exceptional service, Airbnb Plus properties adhered to elevated standards for style and physical space design based on Airbnb’s checklist. Interestingly, Airbnb often used photographers themselves to conduct inspections and capture listing photos.

Once a property was accepted into the program, it received a Plus banner to enhance visibility. However, Airbnb Plus was only available in select cities, including Austin, Barcelona, Cape Town, Chicago, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Milan, Nashville, San Francisco, Shanghai, Sydney, and Toronto.

If a host was part of the Plus program, they needed to opt out and convert their listing back to a regular one. Although the Plus program started with over 70,000 listings, its growth didn’t materialise as expected. As of this month, we bid farewell to the program. Instead of Plus, Airbnb has introduced a new feature called “Guest Favorites,” earmarking over 2 million highly-rated homes.

It’s worth noting that the top tier of Airbnb properties still exists through Airbnb Luxe, which originated from the acquisition of Luxury Retreats in 2017.

A rouge tenant who had occupied an Airbnb property for a whopping 575 days without paying a penny has finally been forced to vacate the premises.

Ms Hisschhorn initially booked a six month stay in a out house connected to a mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, owned by Sascha Jovanovic. However, when her initial booking expired, Jovanovic allowed her to stay in his mansion while the issues where resolved, but did this outside of the protection of Airbnb. Hisschhorn refused to leave the mansion, citing COVID-19 concerns and what she alleged to be an illegally constructed shower.

Hirschhorn’s lengthy stay, earning her the moniker of the ‘Airbnb tenant from hell,‘ has now come to an end, as she was seen being escorted off the California property by the police. She was even assisted by three male friends in moving her belongings, including several boxes, into a waiting white van.

Adding to the complications, Hirschhorn counter-sued Jovanovic for $100,000, claiming it was to cover her ‘relocation costs’.

Jovanovic, relieved by the resolution, spoke to the Daily Mail, stating, “I’m very relieved and also a bit overwhelmed. It was a long time coming, but now she is finally out! This weekend is going to be very positive.”

However, the situation may not be entirely resolved just yet, as Jovanovic had taken measures to prevent Hirschhorn from returning. Rucci, a legal representative, suggested cancelling an upcoming eviction hearing now that Hirschhorn had left the property. In response, Hirschhorn’s attorney, Amanda Seward, claimed that her departure was only ‘temporary’ and accused Jovanovic of harassment after he informed them that the locks had been changed at the house.

The lesson learnt here is make sure you stay within the Airbnb platform for all funds and conversations, otherwise it’s unlikely you’ll be protected if any thing goes wrong.

Back in September 2021, periodontist Aleksandar “Sascha” Jovanovic put his home on Airbnb and rented it out to a tenant named Elizabeth Hirschhorn. But upon writing this article, she has yet to depart.

This property is nestled amongst houses owned by the likes of LeBron James and singer Fergie. Jovanovic purchased the property back in 1995 and took over a year to renovate the property. In 2019, Jovanovic made the decision to list the guest house on Airbnb.

In 2021, he rented the small guest house to Ms. Hirschhorn back in September for a total of six months for just over $20,000. After four months of her stay, the relationship soured between Jovanovic and Hirschhorn.

When the Airbnb host, Mr. Jovanovic, checked on the guest house, he found that a number of areas needed repair that were not there when the guest arrived. He suggested that she stay in a hotel, and he offered some money towards the cost according to messages exchanged on the platform. He then offered that she could stay in his home whilst repairs were carried out.

Since the stay of Ms. Hirschhorn was due to end in March, Mr. Jovanovic’s downfall came after he extended her stay until she found somewhere else to live. At this point, Airbnb’s liabilities ended.

When the end of the extended stay came to an end in April, she did not depart. Since Mr. Jovanovic rented out his main house, this wasn’t compliant with building safety regulations.

Jovanovic, in his frustration and desperation, has chosen to go public with his predicament in hopes of raising awareness and preventing others from enduring similar ordeals. In the end, it falls to a judge to determine the outcome of this contentious dispute.

Beware Hosts, ensure you keep all your conversation inside the Airbnb platform and keep payments on the platform. As when things go wrong, they will have you covered.

New regulations in New York City, targeting illegal short-term rentals, are now in effect, impacting tens of thousands of listings. These rules, passed in January as Local Law 18, bolster the enforcement of existing regulations governing short-term rentals, requiring hosts to register with the city government.

To be considered legal short-term rentals, properties must host no more than two people, with the host residing on-site and providing guests access to the entire home. The new regulations demand eligible hosts to prove their residency and ensure their properties meet safety codes and other regulatory standards. Violators may face fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Under these new regulations renders many Airbnb unsuitable for many families. The impact of these regulations has been swift, resulting in a significant reduction in available listings throughout the five boroughs. Airbnb, in response, has begun cancelling and refunding existing short-term rental reservations with check-in dates on or after December 2.

Airbnb and Vrbo now bear the responsibility of ensuring that their platform users comply with city regulations. There are currently more than 40,000 Airbnb listings within the city, and the introduction of these new regulations is anticipated to result in a substantial reduction in the availability of such listings.

VRBO has been in the business of helping families, couples and individuals find a great, safe place to stay when they are on vacation. That purpose has not changed even with the advent of the Covid-19 epidemic.

All groups of travelers, including business travelers, are still making plans to get to those perfect lodging options in 2021. The vacation trend seems to be picking up even though the Covid-19 is still looming large for next year.

The different travel trends for 2021

Destination and plans may be altered as different countries impose travel restrictions or quarantine stays once you arrive in their country but vacation plans have not. Here are some new trends that are being developed as the pandemic has many people scared of travel or tourists.

#1. Method of travel

62% of vacationers planning to travel next year are planning to drive instead of fly. They want to cut down any risk of exposure to Covid-19 and driving is their solution. The TSA issue may also help influence that decision.

While flying is safer than driving the risk of catching Covid-19 or some other communicable disease is greater with planes than private cars. Driving is the newest trend, even though it has been around for some time.

Then for 2021, more travelers are planning more trips than they took before this disease hit the world. 65% plan on taking more trips while 54% of those travelers are making their bucket list plans.

Then an additional 33% are planning to spend more on their trips.

#2. Destination locations

Because of the way Covid-19 is transmitted the new trend in vacationing is moving away from hotels and motels. This may be good news for those business travelers who need the amenities a good hotel has to offer as they will encounter fewer people during their stays.

Now more remote locations like lakes, rivers, and possibly mountain areas are gaining popularity. 61% of travelers are creating this new trend and it is happening right now.

Vacationers are finding it to be as much or more fun to visit national parks and other remote areas than going to a crowded, risky place like Disneyland or 6 Flags and similar tourist hot spots.

#3. Lodging locations

With a majority of travelers looking to drive and seek those in nature tourist destination, like national parks (62% & 61% respectively), it stands to reason they will be looking for an alternative, in nature lodging options.

The demand for cabins and staying at chalets went up 25% and 20% respectively at both unique lodging options. For 2021 you need to start planning your vacation now before all the good outdoor locations and lodging options are filled up.

These are great places to bring your kids and show them another side to life than the electronic one.

Some final words

Pre-covid-19, you may have been the oddball as you sought out these unique travel opportunities for you and your family. You liked them because you got away from all the crowds found at the more popular destinations.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is bringing the crowds to you. This is evidenced by the rise in these new trends. These options may have been around since the invention of the stagecoach it is just that they are being rediscovered by modern people used to plane and train travel as well as staying in hotels and motels.

The good news for you is that VRBO will be right there ready and willing to help you find that perfect location away from the crowds. Just don’t delay your holiday plans too far in the future or you may be out of luck and stay home next year.

As everyone awaits the new IPO Airbnb has announced it is creating a new host advisory board. The members of this board will be taken from the VIP host category and those members will be announced before the end of this year.

In all, there will be 15 members on this board whose membership will be diverse and include women hostesses as well as international hosts. Along with that creation, Airbnb will create a host endowment using roughly 9.2 million shares from the home-sharing platform.

Once the balance of that fund reaches $1 billion or more, the money will be shared by the 4 million host members. This money will be invested upon the advice of the advisory council and will reach into areas like education, financial resources, and other projects that CEO Brian Chesky hopes to keep Airbnb and its hosts fully supported.

He is proud of the hosts who are involved in Airbnb and calls his hosts resilient, very adaptable, and kind. Mr. Chesky is looking to keep hosts and hosting as the center of Airbnb and this endowment, as well as the advisory board, is rewarding them for their service over the years.

The board will meet once a month to discuss how the money will be invested as well as share the updates that come with each meeting. In a separate move, Airbnb will be splitting its shares in order to lower the new stock prices that will hit the NASDAQ very soon.

No matter how much technology is improved, it seems that the possibility of errors and glitches become more frequent. One shining example is the latest in Airbnb’s series of glitches.

This new glitch cancelled reservations and automatically refunded the customers’ deposits. How widespread it was is anyone’s guess as Airbnb is downplaying the issue.

It is not the first time for a glitch in the system

This new error does not seem to be that large. According to Airbnb it only affected a small number of accounts and those were not very major ones at that. In this glitch, reservations were cancelled and some hosts saw at least 12 reservations disappear in a blink of an eye.

Unfortunately, Airbnb has not been very quick to respond to the complaints made by both guests and hosts. Some have waited up to three days for a response, while some hosts are still waiting for the company to contact them.

But this is not the first time this online company has experienced glitches. Another glitch happened 2 months ago and allowed hosts to see the private inboxes of other hosts. That includes their conversations and other data.

The company’s solution was to recommend clearing cookies and cache from the user’s browser or changing the browser they currently use.

Bad timing

Neither this new glitch or the one that took place 60 days ago came at a good time for Airbnb. It was supposed to file an IPO (initial public offering last week) Plus, the company had planned on being listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, as well as the LTSE or Long Term Stock Exchange.

The effect of these glitches may have investors a bit worried as the move to become public comes with a $30 billion+ valuation. Glitches do not help nor do they attract long term investors which is the purpose of the LSTE.