Airbnb doesn’t care about people like me.
I learned this the hard way a few months ago when I tried to find accommodation in Washington, D.C.
After chaperoning two busloads of youth from New York City for the March for Our Lives, I decided to stay a couple more days. The other chaperones agreed to ride the bus back to New York City with the kids, and I logged into my new Airbnb account for the first time to find a place to spend the night. Soon after locating and booking a suitable place, I received an email from Airbnb stating:
“Upon review, and given information uncovered pursuant to online public records, we have determined that it is in the best interest of Airbnb, and for the users on our site, to deactivate your account.”
Airbnb confirmed what I already knew: The reason for the company deactivating my account was my conviction for attempted robbery, and first- and second-degree assault, 16 years ago.
Airbnb’s website identifies certain criminal convictions as a reason to disqualify people from using its service. Now, after years of healing and loving work, I am confronted, yet again, with the cruel reality that society makes people like me keep paying for mistakes far beyond our prison term.
Um ya, those with “records” whether 25 days ago or 25 years ago, are subject to “disadvantages” throughout the rest of their/our lives. Sad but true…
it’s a good article and the “Editor’s Note” at the end of the article is especially interesting. Airbnb has a official policy on banning individuals that the company will not publish and will not divulge.
I got the same message when I tried to rent my home – which requires additional documents for verification if you want to host. I deleted my account and create a new one with limited personal information. I now only use it to book a room when I travel.
Banishment by electronic list.
The intent of the lists are now quite clear and that is to impose affirmative disability.
I have an account. There’s an easy totally legal work around guys & gals. No probs. I use it a couple of times a year or more. Like I said. No probs.
I am not going to sit back and whine that nobody is providing services and employment for me. Time to take our lives into our own hands. Let’s try it. If prisoners in Puerto Rico can take their own economic destiny in their hands, not without much difficulty to be perfectly real I must add, then registrants can do something similar. http://www.geo.coop/story/worlds-first-prisoner-worker-co-op
Arguably, we are going through the worst hazing a society can inflict on a class of citizens. That can be a rebirth in fire or a retreat in shame. Our choice. Our survival is our strength. Imagine what latent energy is within us to be released and directed if we organize.
I emailed them about their policies a while back. They sent me what amounts to a form letter about their policy. Basically, there are enough people that use their service that they could care less about superior service.
This holds true about most corporate entities. Customer service is a line to say in an advertisement, nothing more. There are just too many people that will use their products anyway. So why not fight fire with fire. Get your friends to write horrible reviews about them. Who cares if it’s not true. Try and prove it. The damage will already have been done. This should sound familiar.
I’ve never had an issue renting through Airbnb, I use them frequently. My neighbor also rents out her place from time to time. In 2017, we rented out our home to Art Students to film a low budget scary movie. No issues here from all ends.