Technology is a driving force in our society, a simple way for people to connect with timeliness and ease. With a cell phone or a computer, the world becomes your oyster and the sky is the limit. Some apps offer the opportunity for people to exchange goods or services, requiring little more than the touch of a few buttons. You are probably well aware of the home sharing app Airbnb, which allows ‘hosts’ to rent out part or all of their living space to travelers. While the service may be a lucrative option for some homeowners, it’s understandable that landlords and property managers wouldn’t want their tenants renting out a room in their home. But what do you do if you find that your renter is putting your property on Airbnb?
Should you stumble upon your property listed on Airbnb, you could find yourself in a tough position. As Airbnb guests aren’t technically subleasing, it can be hard to prevent tenants from offering up a space in your property even with a leasing clause that addresses the subject. Guests through the service are considered just that, guests. Any contract that they agree to through the service is not the same as signing as sublease, which is where many tenants are finding a loophole. As proven in this infamous New York case (where two men turned a three bedroom apartment into a 10 bedroom Airbnb rental) and others, it can be hard stop tenants from this practice or even evict those who do.
The simplest way to deal with tenants putting your property on Airbnb and saving yourself from that hassle that follows? Stop the action before it starts. The first line of defense is your lease language. As Airbnb guests aren’t technically subleasing, it is important to specifically mention that Airbnb and short-term rentals are not allowed. This could be key should you have to take a tenant to court to using this or any other hospitality site on your property. Another action you should take is physical property checks. Don’t be afraid to check in on your tenants every now and then, and make sure that the only renters there are the ones that are supposed to be. Online checks can also be a great way to find out if your tenants are renting out your property. Aside from searching known sites for your property, you could also invest in a short-term rental monitoring site such as Stopbnb if you believe it to be a pressing problem.
Dealing with a tenant after finding your property on a short-term rental site can be quite a hassle, and one that the landlords somehow gets penalized for. Using careful lease language and keeping a watchful eye on your property can make all the difference, and can help to prevent ending up in a legal battle with a renter. While it may seem like a lot of work at the time, these actions can help you save you an immense amount of trouble in the long run.
Have You Had to Deal with Any Tenants Putting Your Property on Airbnb?
