In the US, at least they give out W5 forms. Around here, they help people avoid paying their income taxes too.I agree with CH, if they are doing it legally, collecting and paying taxes, have commercial liability insurance, then I have no problem with them.
One the other hand, if they are not legal and just renting out space, then I wouldn't use the term 'innkeeper' for them. Innkeeping is a profession. Be professional.
By the way, Airbnb doesn't even have an area on their owner's listing where you can add in the taxes! Again, not an even playing field for professional innkeepers. Legit innkeepers who are collecting taxes have to just lump it in with the room rate on the listing. That makes their rooms seem a lot more expensive when prospective guests are trying to compare. Most people will go for the cheaper room and have no idea what kind of risk they are taking..
I think it is fine for B & B's to us AIR...I mean if you want guests...you market anywhere you can. I would make some reference to being a legal B &B meeting all state/ local/ health dept regulations...etc. then it gives them something to think about and compare.I am on airbnb and am doing it all legally.
It is a good new channel of distribution, and growing. Plus, no fees (except payment fees) are charged on us.
Main trouble is they do not yet have XML link to booking engines.
Most problems are not linked to airbnb but to
- people using the website without following all regulations,
- authorities not enforcing regulations,
- laws far too complex and different from one place/city/country and another
- legal system unable to follow the changes brought by an accelerating technological progress..
I am listed there also and operating legally. I just had the second request in 2 days from other Air hosts. One I accepted and one I declined - I am going to my high school reunion. I already have a couple coming in that day after his Mother's funeral - I did not have the heart to tell him no (DH does not know). We lock our side and my office. The other couple who are booked for 4 nights will be at a festival (I arranged with a cafe in town that if that couple will do it, breakfast that morning will be there - on me)I am on airbnb and am doing it all legally.
It is a good new channel of distribution, and growing. Plus, no fees (except payment fees) are charged on us.
Main trouble is they do not yet have XML link to booking engines.
Most problems are not linked to airbnb but to
- people using the website without following all regulations,
- authorities not enforcing regulations,
- laws far too complex and different from one place/city/country and another
- legal system unable to follow the changes brought by an accelerating technological progress..
Airbnd does update reskey automatically through myallocator and works just fine except that airbnb only sends out updates about every 6 hours so if you are close to full you have a chance for a double booking. This auto setting takes away the ability to screen potential costumers because it accepts everyone just like all other third party sites.I am on airbnb and am doing it all legally.
It is a good new channel of distribution, and growing. Plus, no fees (except payment fees) are charged on us.
Main trouble is they do not yet have XML link to booking engines.
Most problems are not linked to airbnb but to
- people using the website without following all regulations,
- authorities not enforcing regulations,
- laws far too complex and different from one place/city/country and another
- legal system unable to follow the changes brought by an accelerating technological progress..
Airbnd does update reskey automatically through myallocator and works just fine except that airbnb only sends out updates about every 6 hours so if you are close to full you have a chance for a double booking. This auto setting takes away the ability to screen potential costumers because it accepts everyone just like all other third party sites.I am on airbnb and am doing it all legally.
It is a good new channel of distribution, and growing. Plus, no fees (except payment fees) are charged on us.
Main trouble is they do not yet have XML link to booking engines.
Most problems are not linked to airbnb but to
- people using the website without following all regulations,
- authorities not enforcing regulations,
- laws far too complex and different from one place/city/country and another
- legal system unable to follow the changes brought by an accelerating technological progress..
.
I suppose you are talking of the availabilities, not the prices. Correct ?Bigbid said:Airbnd does update reskey automatically through myallocator and works just fine except that airbnb only sends out updates about every 6 hours so if you are close to full you have a chance for a double booking. This auto setting takes away the ability to screen potential costumers because it accepts everyone just like all other third party sites.
If we listed with Airbnb can we say we are fully licensed and insured? Then we add taxes into our price?I agree with CH, if they are doing it legally, collecting and paying taxes, have commercial liability insurance, then I have no problem with them.
One the other hand, if they are not legal and just renting out space, then I wouldn't use the term 'innkeeper' for them. Innkeeping is a profession. Be professional.
By the way, Airbnb doesn't even have an area on their owner's listing where you can add in the taxes! Again, not an even playing field for professional innkeepers. Legit innkeepers who are collecting taxes have to just lump it in with the room rate on the listing. That makes their rooms seem a lot more expensive when prospective guests are trying to compare. Most people will go for the cheaper room and have no idea what kind of risk they are taking..
I think you can say whatever you want. Have you checked any Real B & B listings to see what they say?If we listed with Airbnb can we say we are fully licensed and insured? Then we add taxes into our price?I agree with CH, if they are doing it legally, collecting and paying taxes, have commercial liability insurance, then I have no problem with them.
One the other hand, if they are not legal and just renting out space, then I wouldn't use the term 'innkeeper' for them. Innkeeping is a profession. Be professional.
By the way, Airbnb doesn't even have an area on their owner's listing where you can add in the taxes! Again, not an even playing field for professional innkeepers. Legit innkeepers who are collecting taxes have to just lump it in with the room rate on the listing. That makes their rooms seem a lot more expensive when prospective guests are trying to compare. Most people will go for the cheaper room and have no idea what kind of risk they are taking..
.
If we listed with Airbnb can we say we are fully licensed and insured? Then we add taxes into our price?I agree with CH, if they are doing it legally, collecting and paying taxes, have commercial liability insurance, then I have no problem with them.
One the other hand, if they are not legal and just renting out space, then I wouldn't use the term 'innkeeper' for them. Innkeeping is a profession. Be professional.
By the way, Airbnb doesn't even have an area on their owner's listing where you can add in the taxes! Again, not an even playing field for professional innkeepers. Legit innkeepers who are collecting taxes have to just lump it in with the room rate on the listing. That makes their rooms seem a lot more expensive when prospective guests are trying to compare. Most people will go for the cheaper room and have no idea what kind of risk they are taking..
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YES!sandynn said:If we listed with Airbnb can we say we are fully licensed and insured? Then we add taxes into our price?
The last I looked, this was a free and open place to be. Most Air folks would have no desire to even be called an innkeeper I don't think. And real innkeepers who list on Air....I have no problem with. Hey take advantage of it.I have a problem sharing information on this forum with "air" innkeepers. If you're a real one, I want to talk peer-to-peer. I have no interest in giving away free advice to people who compete with us on an unequal playing field (no regulation, no room taxes paid, etc.) I strongly oppose allowing people to join this or the LinkedIn boards I belong to without them having a tangible B&B/Inn business..
I am not so much opposed with them coming on the forum. I am also not so much opposed to exposing illegal operations. The mantra for us has always been, "If ya pays your taxes, we got no axes." Okay, that has never been our mantra, but I thought it was cute.I have a problem sharing information on this forum with "air" innkeepers. If you're a real one, I want to talk peer-to-peer. I have no interest in giving away free advice to people who compete with us on an unequal playing field (no regulation, no room taxes paid, etc.) I strongly oppose allowing people to join this or the LinkedIn boards I belong to without them having a tangible B&B/Inn business..
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