# Fuck this weeks Airbnb shitheads **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007 "2019-09-10T20:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![slumtrimpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/41 "2019-09-17T01:03:22Z")
We live in a vacationy area and there’s a shortage of accommodations for tourists. Half of our house has been an Airbnb for two years now. It’s been great. The guests are almost without fail excellent; clean, quiet, polite etc. We don’t have to interact unless we want to since their part of the house is self contained with two bedrooms, kitchen, living room and all. And when we have family visit we block the dates for Airbnb and everyone has loads of room to not get on each other’s nerves. What I particularly like about it is that Airbnb takes care of the financial stuff. I don’t have to talk to people about money. And we’ve used them when we go on vacation as well. Way cheaper than a hotel, we can stay together as a group and cook our own meals if that’s what we want. Last, but not least; I had to stay in another city for most of a week while my husband had surgery. A cheap hotel room would have cost me about $150/night even with the hospital discount, and I would have had to buy meals. The Airbnb apartment that I rented was $85/night, there was room on a sofa for my step-son, and we could eat in at the end of the long days. I can see where they’re a problem in cities where people are buying property purely to Airbnb them. Sucks for the neighbors. But if you own a cottage or a vacation property I think Airbnb (or VRBO) is a great way to pay the bills. As long as you respect your neigbors. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/42 "2019-09-18T18:54:27Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > the entire concept of Airbnb is squicky and creeps me the fuck out. Who in their right mind would want to rent their home out to randos? and who in the hell is comfortable invading someone else’s home? Only time i did it was me and my gf rented a nice small room in a brownstone not far from Fenway. We kept it tidy, they had a nice place. It was a good experience. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/43 "2019-09-21T15:10:25Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > My pleasure. The last time one of my conferences was in Toronto, I found a great Airbnb condo apartment in a high-rise building just two blocks from the conference hotel. It was no more than half the conference hotel rate, and had a great Whole Foods-like store on the ground floor where I could buy great pre-made meals and grocery items. Extremely convenient and pleasant. And I had a great view, too! The AirBNB that I booked in Toronto for next month’s conference cost almost down to _one third_ the hotel conference price. It was far below half the price. It is a condo that my wife and I will have all to ourselves. It has free parking on site — after I give my presentation I’ll rent a car and take her on a drive out to Gananoque where we’ll do a boat tour of the Thousand Islands. I’ve been out there before but she hasn’t. We’ll also drive out to the beautiful farm country where they filmed the movie, _Fly Away Home_. Gorgeous country, out there. I’ve learned a lot from this thread from peoples’ tips on how they AirBNB. Thank you all for the good tips. My wife will be working from the condo while I’m at the conference. And from what I can tell it is very safe and is a clean, well-lighted place. Which is what I needed for her, and for us. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/44 "2019-09-21T15:25:52Z")
> [@HelenGawn](#): > > I’m in a neighborhood adjacent to downtown that’s historically working-class Hispanic. It’s rapidly gentrifying, driving out the original residents. Now the whole-house STRs are making rising prices and taxes even worse. > … > > That said, I have no problem with people renting out rooms or backyard cabins. In fact, I stayed in one of the latter last weekend and it was lovely, especially having tea and granola on the porch of a morning. I think of them as the new home hostel. I trust the AirBnB ratings and superhost designation. As I understand it, most will give you as much privacy or company as you want. As a customer, I’ve used AirBNB a few times. I like the basic idea. But as an unregulated business model, [it’s wreaking havoc in my city](https://mountainx.com/news/asheville-struggles-to-rein-in-illegal-short-term-rentals/). At last count, 3.5% OF ALL HOUSING in our city has been dedicated to short-term rentals by landlords who realize what a quick buck they can make. The pressure it places on the remaining housing market is driving prices through the roof, making it impossible for working-class locals to remain in the community. > [@](#): > > Amid concerns that STRs are contributing to housing shortages and rising home prices, Asheville City Council attempted to rein in the practice last year by voting to implement the city’s strictest regulations to date. But despite the law — and a $500-per-day fine for violators — hundreds of illegal rentals still operate throughout the city. The article gives me hope, as it mentions a company that helps crack down on illegal AirBNBs run by housing speculators. I know that up till now, the city has been incredibly lax on enforcement of the laws. Again, if it’s well-regulated, it’s a fine model for vacation rentals. But when it’s unregulated, it falls prey to the same excesses capitalism always falls prey to. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/45 "2019-09-21T18:08:20Z")
I’ve had good experiences on Air B&B, but it needs to be regulated for sure. I can see why some communities don’t like it, particularly if you have a-holes like the one referred to in the OP who ruin it for the other owners who are responsible. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/46 "2019-09-21T20:42:28Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > But as an unregulated business model, [it’s wreaking havoc in my city](https://mountainx.com/news/asheville-struggles-to-rein-in-illegal-short-term-rentals/). At last count, 3.5% OF ALL HOUSING in our city has been dedicated to short-term rentals by landlords who realize what a quick buck they can make. The pressure it places on the remaining housing market is driving prices through the roof, making it impossible for working-class locals to remain in the community. Strictly speaking, the property is being put to the best economic use. Working class locals should look to purchase someplace more affordable. I feel bad for them, but I don’t feel guilty for them. I feel bad for keyliners, but not guilty for them, either. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/47 "2019-09-21T21:03:40Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Strictly speaking, the property is being put to the best economic use. Working class locals should look to purchase someplace more affordable. I feel bad for them, but I don’t feel guilty for them. I feel bad for keyliners, but not guilty for them, either. Define ‘best’. The owner is extracting short-term profits, but potentially at the expense of the long-term value of the home. In addition, the value of adjoining properties may decline, and it sounds like the city in general may be suffering short, medium and long term damage. It’s similar to CEOs who manage their corporations to maximize the next quarter at the expense of the long-term health of the company. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/48 "2019-09-21T21:35:59Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Strictly speaking, the property is being put to the best economic use. Working class locals should look to purchase someplace more affordable. I feel bad for them, but I don’t feel guilty for them. I feel bad for keyliners, but not guilty for them, either. It’s like Capitalism has selected you its earthly avatar and is speaking through you. Cool. It’s no wonder capitalism is increasingly unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/49 "2019-09-21T22:07:38Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Local yocals, might be a college reunion, or a corporate retreat, I don’t give a fuck just go home already! > > I’m anAirbnb renter, love the concept we leave the place as clean as we found out,try to stay as quiet as church mice, but these are poppig up all over our small inland lake. Especially the rundown cottages that are flipped with cheap upgrades that sit on the market and never sell because they’re fucking overpriced. But some fucking Realtor goes on a bender and squeals how it would make a great Airbnb and some cash infused motherfucker buys it and puts it on AIrbnb and VRBO. You know how people bitch about HOAs? This is exactly the sort of thing a HOA can protect you from. by requiring that any rental be for a minimum length of time (e.g. six months) and requiring that any rental be of the whole property, no renting just a room or a floor of a house. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/50 "2019-09-21T22:20:17Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It’s no wonder capitalism is increasingly unpopular. I know, I know. I hope I’m dead before your breed start taking all of our private property. You’re already kind of doing it, but at some point, revolutions happen and we evil property owners will get what’s coming to us. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/51 "2019-09-21T22:51:27Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I know, I know. I hope I’m dead before your breed start taking all of our private property. You’re already kind of doing it, but at some point, revolutions happen and we evil property owners will get what’s coming to us. Hope you’re getting all your overreacting out of the way here, and not doing it in real life. Our city just started regulating AirB&Bs and VRBOs, and kind of saved the quality of life here just in time. What they did was require that if you’re going to pimp out your house, it has to BE your house. No absentee landlords, no buying a property not to fix it up but just to VRBO it out… Case in point: our neighbors got caught in the bureaucracy, but still made out like bandits. Right before the annual Crossfit Games, they AirB&B’ed their whole house for a two week chunk of time. One group of twelve people for a fortnight. Now, the city’s new regs meant they had to clean up, get inspected, fix any problems (they basically had to childproof the house, change anything that might injure a guest), then get re-inspected. And had a fee to cover all that. But even with that, and the cost of a nice hotel (with a pool!) for two weeks, they made enough for a trip to Italy! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/52 "2019-09-21T23:03:52Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I know, I know. I hope I’m dead before your breed start taking all of our private property. You’re already kind of doing it, but at some point, revolutions happen and we evil property owners will get what’s coming to us. I just hope you keep talking like this, because it makes my job easier :). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/53 "2019-10-25T13:08:26Z")
With thanks to **commasense** and others here in this thread, our AirBNB in Toronto has worked out very well. We’re nearing the end of our stay in the West Queen West area of Canada’s big city. We check out tomorrow. What we have here in this place (I’m posting this from our Toronto “home”) is an excellent **value**. We have the condo to ourselves, just me and my wife who joined me on my work trip. Parking was not an added cost, and we rented a car for the past couple of days for sightseeing. It’s a little bit strange staying at someone else’s place, but our host has been responsive and good. We’ve communicated by text through the AirBNB app, as per the rules, and I had his cell # in case I needed to call with any questions (we had none). One complaint has to do with the AirBNB app when locating a suitable place to stay: AirBNB lists their available places by neighborhoods in Toronto, which is good — I can look at a map to see which neighborhoods are close to where I need to be, and you can select the neighborhoods you want, but unfortunately the many (very many!) neighborhoods are not listed in alphabetical order in the app. Frustrating. As far as I could tell there wasn’t any perceivable order to their listing. Who in their right mind thinks that is helpful? On imgur I posted some sightseeing pictures — [Thousand Islands (Cottages, Mansions, and Castles), and Ontario Farmscapes - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/lGNFptd) — pictures of my wife and me on our boat tour of the picturesque Thousand Islands and drive through the beautiful Ontario Farmlands near Kawartha Lakes and Bobcaygeon, which was the filming locations for an old family movie we enjoy, _Fly Away Home_ (1996). I’m happy with how my pictures turned out and we were able to catch some beautiful fall colors. I hope you enjoy them. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/54 "2019-10-25T13:17:09Z")
What follows is how AirBNB lists the neighborhood areas of Toronto — one filter to find a place to stay, you can select the neighborhoods you want. I wanted places near the conference I had to speak at. Here’s the list of all possible Toronto neighborhood areas, no seeming order — frustrating to use! (link here, [https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Toronto--ON/homes?adults=0&children=0&infants=0&guests=0&refinement\_paths[]=%2Fhomes&query=Toronto%2C%20ON&place\_id=ChIJpTvG15DL1IkRd8S0KlBVNTI&source=mc\_search\_bar&search\_type=unknown](https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Toronto--ON/homes?adults=0&children=0&infants=0&guests=0&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&query=Toronto%2C%20ON&place_id=ChIJpTvG15DL1IkRd8S0KlBVNTI&source=mc_search_bar&search_type=unknown), select More Filters \> Neighbourhoods \> Show all neighbourhoods). Neighbourhoods Humber Summit The Danforth Westmount Wexford/Maryvale Lytton Park Henry Farm Old East York Saint Lawrence Fairbank Danforth Village Runnymede Armour Heights Dorset Park Clanton Park Humber Valley Bedford Park Ionview Long Branch Princess Fashion District Eringate Woodbine Corridor Oakridge Woburn Alderwood Greenwood-Coxwell Swansea Don Valley Village Markland Woods Downsview Morningside Rosedale Broadview North Lambton Baby Point Parkdale New Toronto Westminster/Branson Newtonbrook Hillcrest Village Islington Willowdale Etobicoke West Mall The Kingsway Stonegate-Queensway Morningside Heights Mimico Malvern Rouge Parkwoods Malvern West Agincourt Davisville The Junction Little Portugal Greek Town Scarborough City Centre Roncesvalles Dufferin Grove Dovercourt Park Jane and Finch Highland Creek West Rouge York University Heights Port Union Manse Valley Cedarvale Humewood Palmerston/Little Italy Wychwood Park Saint Andrew/Windfields Milliken Trinity-Bellwoods Riverdale Rockcliffe Smythe Wallace Emerson South Hill/Rathnelly Corktown West Hill Guildwood Nortown Scarborough Village L’Amoreaux Cliffcrest Niagara Financial District Downtown Toronto Bayview Bayview Village The Pocket Bendale Don Mills Cabbagetown Casa Loma Mount Dennis Victoria Village Entertainment District Yorkville Amesbury Chinatown Eglinton East Old Port Glen Park Forest Hill West Humber Studio District Parkview Pellam Park Scarborough Junction The Annex The Beaches Deer Park Gay Village Ville-Marie North Park Pelmo Park Cliffside Crescent Town Weston Mount Olive Garden District Birch Cliff Sunnybrook Keelesdale Beachborough Yonge Eglinton Clairlea Harbourfront Flemingdon Park Humbermede Thistletown Downtown Montreal Rexdale Old Montreal Woodbine/Lumsden The Elms Humberlea Quartier des Spectacles Leaside Pleasant View The Westway Tam O’Shanter Lawrence Park Richview Oakwood Toronto Islands Thorncliffe Park Kensington Market High Park North ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/55 "2019-10-25T14:11:57Z")
So what’s more embarrassing - living in Lambton Baby Point or Cabbagetown? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/56 "2019-10-25T14:39:03Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > With thanks to **commasense** and others here in this thread, our AirBNB in Toronto has worked out very well. We’re nearing the end of our stay in the West Queen West area of Canada’s big city. We check out tomorrow. I"m glad it worked out (except for the neighborhoods thing). TO is a great town. As for the searching by neighborhoods, I’ve never bothered to try. (I don’t think I even knew it was a possibility.) I just locate my conference hotel (or other point of interest) on the map and search for places near it. But I see that the random order is not very helpful if you wanted to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/57 "2019-10-25T15:38:50Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It’s like Capitalism has selected you its earthly avatar and is speaking through you. Cool. > > It’s no wonder capitalism is increasingly unpopular. This isn’t about capitalism though. It’s about people running what are basically hotels without having to abide by the rules that hotel owners do. And even in places where rules are in place, lots of people just break them. > **[Unwelcome guests: Airbnb, cities battle over illegal short-term rentals](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/23/unwelcome-guests-airbnb-cities-battle-over-illegal-short-term-rentals.html)** > > From Miami Beach to Los Angeles, local laws vary widely, but complaints about quality-of-life issues caused by illegal short-term rentals listed on vacation rental websites are similar. Again, in many cases this is criminal behavior and a lot of places are now cracking down on it. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/58 "2019-10-25T16:11:51Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > On imgur I posted some sightseeing pictures — [Thousand Islands (Cottages, Mansions, and Castles), and Ontario Farmscapes - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/lGNFptd) — pictures of my wife and me on our boat tour of the picturesque Thousand Islands and drive through the beautiful Ontario Farmlands near Kawartha Lakes and Bobcaygeon, which was the filming locations for an old family movie we enjoy, _Fly Away Home_ (1996). > > I’m happy with how my pictures turned out and we were able to catch some beautiful fall colors. I hope you enjoy them. Lovely pictures! They must have the same boats all over Canada, because the one in your first pic looks identical to the one we took from Vancouver to Vancouver Island years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/59 "2019-10-25T17:26:18Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Lovely pictures! They must have the same boats all over Canada, because the one in your first pic looks identical to the one we took from Vancouver to Vancouver Island years ago. Thanks! We were fortunate to catch those fall colors. I’d done the boat tour a few years back, alone while on a business trip. I felt really guilty because it was so beautiful andI hadn’t brought my wife. Yesterday was Exoneration Day. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007/60 "2019-10-25T19:58:07Z")
We stayed in two AirBnB places last week in Buffalo. The first one was fine; an old house that is being restored, clean and comfy. The second one was a dump; the couch looked like something college kids would have on their porch, lights didn’t work, fire exit blocked, and generally dirty. Worst part was the guy in the adjoining unit coming in late and then barfing his way through the night and into the morning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-this-weeks-airbnb-shitheads/840007.md?page=2)