Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#11

Post by cameronfraser » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:32 PM UTC

Raed667 wrote: post #4

I live in touristy city, and I wish nothing more than to see Airbnb crash and die. Finding rent here is mission impossible, most landlords will happily rent to you for a contract that ends at the start of the summer, then you have to figure out where to live for 3 months. Housing prices are impossibly expensive compared to local salaries, and landlords would rather keep a place empty for an occasional airbnb than hav…

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#12

Post by swiley » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:34 PM UTC

fullshark wrote: post #10

Seems like the market exists for what they offer. Even if this wipes out airbnb in the short term another company will serve the need in the long term, baring new laws. Basically you'd need to see hospitality industry lobbyists get some new laws passed murdering them as part of some sort of relief package.

I’m not a huge Airbnb fan but the hospitality lobbies are pretty crappy too. In the town I’m from they managed to make sleeping in your car a pretty serious crime.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#13

Post by ravenstine » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:36 PM UTC

cameronfraser wrote: post #11

Raed667 wrote: post #4

I live in touristy city, and I wish nothing more than to see Airbnb crash and die. Finding rent here is mission impossible, most landlords will happily rent to you for a contract that ends at the start of the summer, then you have to figure out where to live for 3 months. Housing prices are impossibly expensive compared to local salaries, and landlords would rather keep a place empty for an occasional airbnb than hav…

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

I don't get that argument. Going by your logic, housing itself is classist because people who aren't at least in the middle class can't afford houses much of the time. And maybe it is, but then what? Are we supposed to abolish classism because some people are less fortunate?

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#14

Post by officemonkey » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:43 PM UTC

ravenstine wrote: post #13

cameronfraser wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

I don't get that argument. Going by your logic, housing itself is classist because people who aren't at least in the middle class can't afford houses much of the time. And maybe it is, but then what? Are we supposed to abolish classism because some people are less fortunate?

It depends on what you think the best use of housing is. Is housing meant to "make money for the owner" or "provide housing for people?"

There, I've just taken class out of the equation. Your answer?

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#15

Post by mylons » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:44 PM UTC

airbnb has no serious liabilities, in terms of real estate, on their balance sheets.

if they can go cockroach mode, and reduce spending (should be easy with discipline and layoffs), they’ll still be a multi billion dollar company in 2021-2022.

and i say this thinking they’re ultimately a cancer on society.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#16

Post by peteradio » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:45 PM UTC

ravenstine wrote: post #13

cameronfraser wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

I don't get that argument. Going by your logic, housing itself is classist because people who aren't at least in the middle class can't afford houses much of the time. And maybe it is, but then what? Are we supposed to abolish classism because some people are less fortunate?

> abolish classism

Do you think that is the fairest interpretation of your opponents argument?

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#17

Post by unexaminedlife » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:45 PM UTC

I'd prefer to see a revival of multi-family homes. It feels like there needs to be a middle ground for people who can afford to buy multiple houses but can't afford to buy apartment complexes.

"Investors" taking away from the single-family market in order to have airbnb-style rentals probably wasn't at the forefront of the founders' minds when they started it but they've done nothing to try to bring attention to it and the impact it is having on people who are ready to make the move from being a renter to being a homeowner.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#18

Post by xwdv » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:46 PM UTC

cameronfraser wrote: post #11

Raed667 wrote: post #4

I live in touristy city, and I wish nothing more than to see Airbnb crash and die. Finding rent here is mission impossible, most landlords will happily rent to you for a contract that ends at the start of the summer, then you have to figure out where to live for 3 months. Housing prices are impossibly expensive compared to local salaries, and landlords would rather keep a place empty for an occasional airbnb than hav…

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

Housing availability for lower class individuals is not impacted because low class housing generally isn’t rented out on AirBnB.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#19

Post by aminozuur » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:48 PM UTC

No.

Re: Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#20

Post by skor » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:48 PM UTC

ravenstine wrote: post #13

cameronfraser wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, AirBnB is an unsustainable business and I would also like to see it regulated out of existence. It is extremely classist. Only something that middle class or higher can use while reducing housing availability which primarily impacts lower classes.

I don't get that argument. Going by your logic, housing itself is classist because people who aren't at least in the middle class can't afford houses much of the time. And maybe it is, but then what? Are we supposed to abolish classism because some people are less fortunate?

I can give you an example. A cheap-to-rent apartment in a central part of an old popular city in Europe, is now a pricy Airbnb.

This means that students, young families, people with lower income have to move out of a suburb they we born, studied, have friends, etc. And now have to find a place elsewhere on the outskirts, where tourists don't want to go.

This is apart from arriving at your buildings front door and having some stranger stand behind you while you turn the key.. a very irritating situation.