One of the most controversial things to come out of the internet age is the invention of Airbnb, an online platform where anyone can list properties to rent for a few days. Unlike conventional short term rentals, you can offer up a room, a couch, or any surface that people are willing to pay for. While this is fairly controversial for many reasons, one of the perks is that it did democratize travel, especially affordable travel abroad and has allowed many travelers to experience other cultures in a much more immersive manner, as it gives them the chance to stay literally anywhere where there is a host.
There are many problems with this platform, as one TikTok user, @samuvstheworldd, discovered when they decided to go to Egypt and rent an Airbnb apartment that promised magnificent views of the Giza pyramids. In fact, it was more than a promise, the advertisement for the rental had images that allowed potential guests to see out of the windows how close the pyramids were to their lodgings. Except it was all a ruse.
When @samuvstheworldd and their party got to the place and tried to open the windows to see the promised views, they encountered nothing but a stone wall that barely let any light come in, let alone see the pyramids. The user was, of course, disappointed with the view and the advertised accommodations, but this is just one example that, with time and a refund, could be considered a funny moment one day. The problem is that there are plenty of examples of bad experiences in the platform that are not funny and that users have found distressing over the years.
@samuvstheworldd gave a quote when they published the video stating that they would never again trust Airbnb pictures, but that is frankly the tip of the iceberg when it comes to issues with the platform.
Airbnb problems that users have reported to the world
While this is just a funny story, after all the people involved in the story had reasonable accommodations in Egypt and were not unsafe, just scammed out of a view, thousands of horror stories related to the platform have made it clear that trusting people in the platform can be a bad idea, as there is very little regulations and since the descriptions are being written by the host, anything can happen once you reach your destination.
Hotels have a built in safety standard, in that, in theory, they are a fully regulated business with audits and compliance protocols, to be followed. If an incident occurs in a hotel, there is insurance to cover the expenses or a liable business that can respond, whereas if anything happens in an Airbnb, no one really is responsible. The host can deny claims, are often uninsured to the necessary extent and the platform does not acknowledge any responsibilities related to the places that are offered as they are just a marketplace.
Stories of hosts not leaving the property, renting it to multiple people at the same time despite the reservation stating an entire residence, having cameras on the premises without consent, making guests clean or pay a ridiculous amount and still charging them the amount… these are all standard issues that many guests have run into when booking through the platform. Plus, most of the listings are technically illegal rentals as they do not have the necessary permits to operate as a rental let alone a temporary rental.
While there are many positives to the platform, you have to be cautious when booking. If a deal looks to good to be true, it likely is, and you should always look at reviews and other comments before booking.