On the flip side
The Airbnb scene has its negatives too. The experience could be a let-down for the host or the guest, sometimes for both. On Airbnb’s Hong Kong Facebook page, comments left by disgruntled tourists are common. Some complain about misleading descriptions on listings, others are unhappy with the irresponsible behavior of a host or guests.
For much of 2016, black travelers in the United States have railed against racist treatment at Airbnb-listed facilities. The refusal by some hosts to put up black people has led to an online campaign, #AirbnbWhileBlack, to give voice to victims of racial prejudice.
There are also a few legal points to consider for Airbnb hosts. For example, in New York City, it is illegal to rent out three or more units in a residential property for fewer than 30 days, unless the host is also living in the same property — a condition that certain Airbnb-listed properties have ignored.
In Hong Kong, short-term rental (fewer than 28 continuous days) of a property without a valid license to operate as a guesthouse, is deemed illegal, under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
The data gathered by Inside Airbnb shows owners of multiple units — considered commercial listings — make up the bulk, or 59.4 percent, of all Hong Kong’s Airbnb hosts. The figure is significantly higher than in Sydney (28.5 percent), New York (27.5 percent) and London (41.3 percent).
As more Airbnb-listed spaces are turned into purely profit-driven operations, the very idea of home-sharing, which supposedly distinguishes Airbnb from traditional accommodation options, is lost.
Not every owner who lists his property on Airbnb is out to make a fast buck. Kevin Lau, a self-employed software engineer, lists a room of his apartment in Central on Airbnb (HK$388 per night). But he won’t consider listing more than one property as a landlord, rather than a host. Lau would rather stay on the right side of the law.
Lau says opening up a part of his home to guests from time to time “is just a fun way to meet different people from all walks of life.” He earns over HK$1 million a year and does not quite need to supplement his income by renting out rooms, he added.