#23

It’s weird - he’s always had some weird guilt about being a landlord (even though the proceeds from that flat paid for his rented place further out of town). He didn’t even mention it his tenants - made up some lie about having to sell it.

I’d have booted them out, personally. No mercy.

#24

Yeah nowt wrong with being a landlord on its own terms. We need the private rented sector. I’d have turfed that lot out for breach of contract in a heartbeat.

#25

No we dont

#26

So we just need everyone to either own their own home or live in flats provided by local councils?

#27

Haha. Loved how that article was basically just the guy whining that the prostitutes were making more money from his apartment than he was. Like record companies and ticket touts.

#28

Yeah

#29

We need A private rented sector. Not the one we have though.

#30

Oh completely agree.

#31

Cheers for all your replies everyone. Some useful stuff in this thread esp. Re: emphasise the importance of communication and cleanliness (natch)

Has anyone here actually rented out their place?

#32

This is the opposite of what most people are saying, but I much prefer when the owner fucks off sharpish or even better, just leaves the key in the post box and you don’t have to interact with the owner at all.

Otherwise:

  • translations on all appliances (washing machine especially)
  • very detailed notes about recycling/bins
  • maps/area guides
  • basic cooking stuff like oil, salt, pepper, sugar etc already stocked so I don’t have to buy it.
#33

Ooh yeah that’s a good one. Let your guests know if there’s anything they can/can’t use in the kitchen. I’ve usually used stuff like a bit of cooking oil but not helped myself to stuff in the cupboards or fridge, even if it’s just pesto or something. Also as a host you don’t want to leave some good stuff in the freezer while you’re away and then get back to find it’s been eaten

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#34

A friend was just putting there place up on Air BnB and said they will pay for a photographer to come round and get better quality photos if you are putting your place on the site.

Said the option was pretty well hidden on the site but the photos made their place look a lot better than their own photos did.

#35

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#37

That’s funny. Was listening to a podcast about them and one of the things that got Airbnb going and became ‘their thing’ was nice photos. In the early days one of the founders wandered round NYC visiting the early Airbnb hosts and photographing their place for them, for free. Nice that they’ve kept that as a feature.

#38

I have a friend over from the States, they arrived yesterday and got into the apartment they’d booked just fine.

During the early evening, someone purporting to be the apartment owner turned up and knew nothing of the booking, of the woman who the booking had been made with and wondered why the fuck they were there?

Is this a regular thing with Air BnB?

#39

Just the tenant letting out a room (or whole appartment in this case), without the owners permission/knowledge. It happens/is quite common in my experience.
I know friends that have put rooms on Air BnB in homes they rent to make a bit of extra cash. I’ve stayed in rooms via Air BnB and i’m pretty sure the actual owner of the place had no idea. Both probably in breach of whatever tenancy agreements were/are in place but there we go.

Edit - what happened when the owner came round, let them stay or kick them out?

#40

Ah, that makes sense.

They let them stay last night but took a copy of the house manual (or whatever it’s called) to make some enquiries.

My friend is trying to get some answers / reassurance from Air BnB but not getting very far at the moment.

#41

I’m making some presumptions here but i guess the tenant has done it previously and was found out this time the owner showed up. Bit unlucky that the owner came round presumeably unaccounced (supposed to give a tenant advance warning of a visit).
Not sure what Air BnB can do, the person letting the flat doesn’t have permission to so has invalidated their agreement with AirBnB, hope your pals get something sorted!

#42

I think that’s the most likely scenario, yes. They got a pretty big shock when jet-lagged last night to be confronted by this. I guess that’s a bit of a risk booking through Air BnB.

They’ll be fine, we have a few contingencies in place in case they get kicked out toady, haven’t heard from them yet.

Does payment usually happen up front or at the end of the stay? If they can stop payments if they’re evicted they’ll be fine. If not, £900 is a lot of money to be losing.

#43

It’s all upfront iirc. Blimey, yes it is!