Did anyone ever pay rent through airbnb?

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 8:54am #1

We've been looking to rent and I've come across one apartment that I really like.
It's a bit strange though. The landlord has told us that he is putting it on Airbnb and he wants us to take book it for the time we want it via Airbnb. He told me it won't be available to anyone else as long as we book two months in advance each time before the last one expires.
The monthly price works out the same as the average price of two beds in the area. A little bit less actually.
But I've never seen it done this way before.
Has anyone any experience of paying rent this way?

Dravokivich · 21-12-2017 8:56am

That's not renting. Don't do it. Either get a lease or get somewhere else.

SuperS54 · 21-12-2017 9:02am

By using Airbnb you are only ever a short term renter of basically a holiday home. The landlord can raise rent at will and basically kick you out whenever they feel like it. You will have no tenancy rights at all.

Del2005 · 21-12-2017 9:04am

I'd get legal advice before writing it off as not renting, not from Threshold.

If you are paying money to rent for more than 6 months then part 4 tenancy comes into affect. The landlord trying to game the system is their own responsibility, but if the OP gets part 4 tenancy this way the landlord can't kick them out without proper notice.

The RTB might be able to give some information but I suspect that this will require a test case to set precedent

Bob24 · 21-12-2017 9:06am

Seems like a way to work around all regulations related to regular rentals. Basically you would be entitled to none of the rights a regular tenant has and they could change the rent or ask you to leave anytime the want at the end of one of these 2 months periods (maybe even within one, they might not risk more than a bad review on AirBnb).

SuperS54 · 21-12-2017 9:09am

KellyXX wrote: »

The monthly price works out the same as the average price of two beds in the area. A little bit less actually.

As a possible positive on this scenario, if it's an airbnb rather than a normal rental, the landlord is presumeably also responsible for bills such as electricity, water(!), bins, cable TV, oil for heating etc.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 9:12am

The max is 6 months he says which tbh suits us.
And the price and location suits us.
It's just the Airbnb payment that is a bit weird.
Probably won't be a problem but Ive never used Airbnb to rent anywhere even for a night.

Samuel T. Cogley · 21-12-2017 9:14am

Aside from this being a potential scam (airbnnb is cited for many scams) as Del says the LL is trying to game the system. After 6 months Part IV will apply anyway the form of the lease comes second to the actual situation.

Samuel T. Cogley · 21-12-2017 9:16am

KellyXX wrote: »

The max is 6 months he says which tbh suits us.
And the price and location suits us.
It's just the Airbnb payment that is a bit weird.
Probably won't be a problem but Ive never used Airbnb to rent anywhere even for a night.

Make sure it is as the LL isn't a stupid as he first appears then. You'll be out in 6 months minus 1 day no matter what the situation is.

SteM · 21-12-2017 9:16am

I assume that the landlord can raise the rent by whatever he wants every 2 months?

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 9:18am

SuperS54 wrote: »

As a possible positive on this scenario, if it's an airbnb rather than a normal rental, the landlord is presumeably also responsible for bills such as electricity, water(!), bins, cable TV, oil for heating etc.

Yeah there are no electricity bill or bins. That's why it works out cheaper than normal rent when we factor that in.
No internet or TV. We have to provide that ourselves if we want it.
He says it's on Airbnb and he will only accept renewals from us so no-one else can book it for then 6 months, whatever that means, but I assume it means that boo e else can book for then time we are there.

He described it as a 6 months Airbnb rental. Now I've never done Airbnb so just guessing as to what that entails.

C3PO · 21-12-2017 9:18am

If you're comfortable that it's not a scam and the terms suit you .. why not?

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 9:26am

SteM wrote: »

I assume that the landlord can raise the rent by whatever he wants every 2 months?

We asked him that and he said he won't. He says it's ours for 6 months. But I guess he could if he really wanted to.

What he said was we have a fixed monthly price for the 6 months. And that we won't be able to book it anyway after the final day is up.

I tried to contact Airbnb to ask them some questions but it's impossible to contact them.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 9:29am

C3PO wrote: »

If you're comfortable that it's not a scam and the terms suit you .. why not?

I think we're going to take it but I just wanted to see if anyone had ever seen rent paid this way before. I certainly haven't.
He does seem genuine but I can't seem to contact Airbnb to hear their side of it.

Ie what happens if we leave early or if we wanted to stay longer. All sorts of questions really.

Samuel T. Cogley · 21-12-2017 9:33am

KellyXX wrote: »

I think we're going to take it but I just wanted to see if anyone had ever seen rent paid this way before. I certainly haven't.
He does seem genuine but I can't seem to contact Airbnb to hear their side of it.

Ie what happens if we leave early or if we wanted to stay longer. All sorts of questions really.

Nothing he can do if you don't renew. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to stay longer as Part IV would kick in.

You're essentially staying in a hotel plenty of people do it medium term. If you do it long term there's even a reasonable notice requirement but I digress.

topper_harley2 · 21-12-2017 9:41am

I see you mentioned TV above. Worth noting that you will likely find it hard to set up TV, broadband accounts etc, as you will not have any bills in your name at the address, since you are not a proper tenant. Something to consider. Similar issues if you wanted to change bank accounts, or anything that requires bills in your name at the address.

Samuel T. Cogley · 21-12-2017 9:42am

topper_harley2 wrote: »

I see you mentioned TV above. Worth noting that you will likely find it hard to set up TV, broadband accounts etc, as you will not have any bills in your name at the address, since you are not a proper tenant. Something to consider. Similar issues if you wanted to change bank accounts, or anything that requires bills in your name at the address.

You could set up Sky no problem (albeit on a 12 month contract but they will move you). I suspect Virgin would be the better option though as they do 30 day contracts and are equally as easy to set up in fairness. Banks though would be an issue.

LuckyLloyd · 21-12-2017 9:52am

KellyXX wrote: »

We asked him that and he said he won't. He says it's ours for 6 months. But I guess he could if he really wanted to.

What he said was we have a fixed monthly price for the 6 months. And that we won't be able to book it anyway after the final day is up.

I tried to contact Airbnb to ask them some questions but it's impossible to contact them.

You have no guarantee beyond the first couple of months. I wouldn’t be inclined to take someone evading tenancy legislation at their word. If he gets a better offer after two or four months you’ll be gone.

Ask for a six month lease and get everything on paper is my advice.

Wanderer78 · 21-12-2017 10:07am

Personally wouldn't recommend doing this for the reasons already mentioned

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 10:53am

topper_harley2 wrote: »

I see you mentioned TV above. Worth noting that you will likely find it hard to set up TV, broadband accounts etc, as you will not have any bills in your name at the address, since you are not a proper tenant. Something to consider. Similar issues if you wanted to change bank accounts, or anything that requires bills in your name at the address.

Not really a problem for us. We use a dongle for the internet and TV even now so that won't have to change. Trying to think of other stuff but I'm drawing a blank.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 10:56am

Can you book for the whole 6 months in advance on Airbnb? Instead of two months at a time.
That might be an option. But then if we left early that wouldn't suit, but if we definitely were going to be staying 6 months?

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 10:58am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

You have no guarantee beyond the first couple of months. I wouldn’t be inclined to take someone evading tenancy legislation at their word. If he gets a better offer after two or four months you’ll be gone.

Ask for a six month lease and get everything on paper is my advice.

He told us the reason he is doing this is that the rent used to be 40% below the market value and he couldn't put it to market value any other way, so it was this way or no way for him.

We had the same situation from the opposite side at the moment so I know what he means.

spaceHopper · 21-12-2017 11:20am

If you are paying by pay pal make sure its not friends and family, much harder to get your money back

AlanG · 21-12-2017 11:26am

It sounds like the Landlord is trying to get around the regulations but he actually hasn't got a leg to stand on. Once you are there six months you have the same rights no matter what medium you use to pay the rent. If you like the place go for it and keep quiet for six months. After that you have the same rights as any renter, more in fact as he will not have registered the tenancy.
It is the landlord who needs to get legal advice on this one.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 11:35am

AlanG wrote: »

It sounds like the Landlord is trying to get around the regulations but he actually hasn't got a leg to stand on. Once you are there six months you have the same rights no matter what medium you use to pay the rent. If you like the place go for it and keep quiet for six months. After that you have the same rights as any renter, more in fact as he will not have registered the tenancy.
It is the landlord who needs to get legal advice on this one.

We will be paying through credit card on the airbnb site so it should be protected.
He wont let us renew past 6 months. ie he wont accept the renewal request on airbnb whatever that means.
6 months suits us at this time anyway.
Asked hi could we just pay him up front for 6 months in cash and he said no, he wants a record of the transactions via airbnb.
He gave me some reason but i cant remember what it was now.
Have to decide by today. Pity its impossible to talk to airbnb.

Bananaleaf · 21-12-2017 11:43am

I'd say this is definitely a scam

Tenigate · 21-12-2017 11:44am

KellyXX wrote: »

Ie what happens if we leave early or if we wanted to stay longer. All sorts of questions really.

Op, essentially you're living in a hotel rather than leasing a house.

If you leave early, nothing happens. You've already paid your month up-front, it's non-refundable, and you don't need to give notice. So it's flexible for you.

On the downside, it's flexible for the landlord too. It's not a lease and you're not guaranteed anything more than the month you've paid for DESPITE what you're being told verbally. Your contract is the Airbnb agreement. When you pay it you're accepting the contract as stated.
(sure you could challenge this with the PRTB or in court, but instead of letting it get that far just be comfortable with the airbnb agreement. if it doesn't suit you, look elsewhere)

And Op, whhhyyyy are you emailing airbnb? They're not your lawyer. As long as you pay through their platform (rather than paying rent directly to the landlord) you won't lose your money to a scam.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 11:48am

Tenigate wrote: »

Op, essentially you're living in a hotel rather than leasing a house.

If you leave early, nothing happens. You've already paid your month up-front, it's non-refundable, and you don't need to give notice. So it's flexible for you.

On the downside, it's flexible for the landlord too. It's not a lease and you're not guaranteed anything more than the month you've paid for DESPITE what you're being told verbally. Your contract is the Airbnb agreement. When you pay it you're accepting the contract as stated.
(sure you could challenge this with the PRTB or in court, but instead of letting it get that far just be comfortable with the airbnb agreement. if it doesn't suit you, look elsewhere)

And Op, whhhyyyy are you emailing airbnb? They're not your lawyer. As long as you pay through their platform (rather than paying rent directly to the landlord) you won't lose your money to a scam.

Well im trying to find out off airbnb what the max i can book the room for in one go is.
Say i could book and pay it for 3 months or 6 months today, then i would be much more comfortable.

Tenigate · 21-12-2017 11:48am

KellyXX wrote: »

Can you book for the whole 6 months in advance on Airbnb? Instead of two months at a time.
That might be an option. But then if we left early that wouldn't suit, but if we definitely were going to be staying 6 months?

Now you're getting it! The flexibility works both ways.

You could book the 6 months in advance. The disadvantage is you'd have to pay it upfront.

BrokenArrows · 21-12-2017 11:50am

Bananaleaf wrote: »

I'd say this is definitely a scam

It cant be a scam.

He is going to be booking the apartment via the AirBnb website and is covered by their terms and conditions.

If the OP books the apartment and the apartment isnt actually available then AirBnb will refund him.

OP just be careful of AirBnb service fees which are usually added on top of the advertised daily rate.

KellyXX · 21-12-2017 11:51am

Tenigate wrote: »

Now you're getting it! The flexibility works both ways.

You could book the 6 months in advance. The disadvantage is you'd have to pay it upfront.

We could handle the 6 months up front. Just need to know if i can do it and then i'll propose it to the landlord and go from there. Have to set up an airbnb account today anyway.

Did anyone ever pay rent through airbnb?

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