Ask HN: Will this be the end of Airbnb?

#1

Post by naskwo » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 12:00 PM UTC

Context: living near Amsterdam, following the situation in Amsterdam (pre-Corona) closely, founder of Kamernet.nl - the largest marketplace for student rentals in the Netherlands.

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Once the various quarantine measures have been lifted, and international tourism and travel rebound, I am hypothesising that cities will want to know (and control) where (foreign) tourists stay in a city, and that renting out rooms/apartments to tourists without a specific license will be banned.

HN: your views?

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

#2

Post by keiferski » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 12:19 PM UTC

Many countries already require you to provide an address when entering (for visa-free visits) or when applying for a visa. This is not a new phenomenon.

We will probably see a cursory medical test at borders. This will become more complex over time as the technology develops.

Cities (and tax-paying hosts) make a ton of tax revenue from AirBnb, much of which wouldn’t otherwise exist. I don’t expect any total shutdowns.

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

#3

Post by naskwo » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 12:54 PM UTC

keiferski wrote: post #2

Many countries already require you to provide an address when entering (for visa-free visits) or when applying for a visa. This is not a new phenomenon. We will probably see a cursory medical test at borders. This will become more complex over time as the technology develops. Cities (and tax-paying hosts) make a ton of tax revenue from AirBnb, much of which wouldn’t otherwise exist. I don’t expect any total shutdowns…

Thanks for your insights. I think the tax and tourist income from AirBnB is less than what this form of tourism is costing the city, if measuring correctly. There were several studies published about this recently.

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

#4

Post by Raed667 » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 1:04 PM UTC

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 have a full-time tenant (that has a lot of legal protection regarding eviction).

My prediction is that this summer season is dead, and that many places will go back to regular renting, I hope they never go back to Airbnb again.

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

#5

Post by buboard » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 1:09 PM UTC

That s mostly an issue for airports, and health officials, cities cant expect all landlords to test their tenants regularly. Airbnb owns no properties, they ll go in recess and probably scale down but i see no reason it s the “end”

In thr meanwhile, it will be transformed to a platform for normal, long term rents

(If anything, trusted, and possibly provably tested renters from airbnb will be preferred )

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

#6

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 1:18 PM UTC

[deleted]

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

#7

Post by toomuchtodo » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:23 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…

Have you worked with your city government to champion legislation to heavily regulate short term rentals?

If not, please do!

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

#8

Post by nopinsight » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:26 PM UTC

naskwo wrote: post #3

keiferski wrote: post #2

Many countries already require you to provide an address when entering (for visa-free visits) or when applying for a visa. This is not a new phenomenon. We will probably see a cursory medical test at borders. This will become more complex over time as the technology develops. Cities (and tax-paying hosts) make a ton of tax revenue from AirBnb, much of which wouldn’t otherwise exist. I don’t expect any total shutdowns…

Thanks for your insights. I think the tax and tourist income from AirBnB is less than what this form of tourism is costing the city, if measuring correctly. There were several studies published about this recently.

I am curious. What are the costs you have in mind? How are they different from tourists who stay in cheaper hotels?

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

#9

Post by Raed667 » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:29 PM UTC

toomuchtodo wrote: post #7

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…

Have you worked with your city government to champion legislation to heavily regulate short term rentals? If not, please do!

A number of local candidates ran on the platform of housing reform. They don't get elected.

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

#10

Post by fullshark » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:30 PM UTC

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.