Began this post in another strand, but it got me thinking. Any inveterate users of Airs’n’b out there? I confess to having used ’em a dozen times across the UK and once in Paris, usually with great success. (One dud) Many major cities are cracking down, however.
Does anyone have experience in Manhattan/Brooklyn, Boston and New England? Still a viable option?
Can you b’airbnb?
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Haven’t used them on the US East coast but have used then a couple of times in California with great success.
Not allowed in New York City I believe, but is across river in Jersey City
There is a bit of a crackdown on AirBNB in NYC at the moment:
https://ny.curbed.com/2018/11/12/18087414/nyc-crackdown-illegal-airbnb-midtown-condo
I can understand the point if people are running illegal hotels, but if you are just renting out your apartment when you are out of town, I don’t see the problem.
They are technically legal in NYC, I believe, if the host remains in the house. Not necessarily something you’d want in an apartment, but there are places outside Manhattan where you could be in a self-contained basement, for example.
Started off as a really cool idea – stay in somebody’s house very cheaply which was win-win. Nowadays almost completely taken over by second-home owners ripping the heart out of a local economy. Avoid like plague. Better to be ripped off by an over-priced hotel chain which at least pays its workers a barely minimum wage.
Hmmm, possibly but suite’s tend to be out of my range: we like a whole place as in a working kitchen, a couple of rooms and living space. I share your angst about the heart of the local economy, especially in your particular neck. Have had vile experiences with Owners Abroad and French Country Cottages, both who seem to sign up any shack or hovel; at least Air B’n’B insist on some minimum standards, or did. I agree doesn’t solve the issue of locals being unable to live in their own village due to hired out 2nd homes.
I’ve been a guest many times around Asia and was a host when I lived in Hong Kong. Never had any problems. The system polices itself on the basis of do as you would be done by. The number of properties available now doesn’t appear to have stopped people inflating their pricing. It just requires more time to find the bargains.
I have no experience of it in the US but my understanding is that landlords and the tax authorities have always had a negative attitude towards it.
I’ve used AirBnB in a few places over the years – never any problems. In NYC but 4 years ago and the hosts were in residence – but incredibly helpful and stayed out of the way. Recently in Italy and Rome had excellent places.
We’ve let the spare rooms in our place a lot, great second income! As nickduvet says above it’s a self-regulating thing, like eBay. We’ve had no problems at all with guests. Our place is pretty niche – “boho chic” was someone’s description – i.e. not slick and modern but homely and funky