[mytailorisrich]

The issue is that using AirBnb to let your home is simple and that people do not do their homework or realise what letting property entails.

AirBnb is only a glorified advertisement and payment platform. They cannot do anything about this sort of issues. There are not a letting agent. They are not a substitute from knowing what letting property entails.

[buboard]

in other words, airbnb externalizes the cost of whatever dispute to the public services, and only accepts responsibility for things like payment disputes. Just like how uber externalizes the cost of dangerous drivers to the police , or how airlines externalize pollution

When these costs become significant, regulation should make landlords responsible or taxable to recover the costs.

[mytailorisrich]

No, they don't externalise anything since that's not their responsibility to start with.

There is no passing the buck to public services either. Laws varies per jurisdiction, in general it is for landlords to pay and hopefully recover costs from tenants.

The issue discussed here is not specific to AirBnb and is a well-known issue in property law.

[buboard]

Countries with socialized care tax alcohol and cigarettes because their use costs a lot to the public. Airbnb allows these kind of disputes to multiply like flies, so their line of business, which in some places is very large, will have to be taxed eventually. Whether the tax falls on landlords or airbnb remains to be seen

[vectorEQ]

agree. what do ppl expect? that airbnb sends by some bouncers to kick the dude out?? what the hell. even if they would take down some contract or reservation, there's no guarantee that will do anything for the situation. the person is already clearly disregarding these kinds of agreements in the first place :S

[quickthrower2]

Airbnb is nothing like letting property though. Letting property involves bonds and background checks. There are no cleaners fees, different people coming and going. Letting a place out is easier than Airbnb and a management agency can do a lot of it for you. It’s also generally a legal thing to do and not in violation of agreements you have with other tenants or management of an apartment block or the council or city.

[mytailorisrich]

Using Airbnb is letting property. As I commented, owners ignore this at their peril.

If you are bound by covenants not to let or sublet then using AirBnb would definitely be a breach.

[quickthrower2]

Edit:

You are technically correct. AirBnB is letting/renting in the broad definition. This broad definition also includes renting a Jackhammer from a trade store, or using one of those pay as you go scooters on the street.

However to use such a broad definition, I am not sure what your original point was.

My point is that there is a big difference between "letting" as what it normally refers to in this context - a lease agreement for people to live in a residential property, with tenants rights implied, and some law covering this area and AirBnB which is more like a hotel service.