Airbnb has become part of the travel mainstream over the past decade, bringing quirky and chic apartments and home shares to the masses. For many of us, it forms a key part of our travel planning process. But recently Airbnb has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Residents of popular tourist destinations across Europe – including Barcelona, Venice, Dubrovnik, Rome, and Lisbon – are mobilising to protest against the increasing numbers. Airbnb stands accused of destroying local communities, fudging data, of allowing illegal rentals and racial discrimination.

I found this post difficult to write. As a consumer and as former host I love Airbnb and can’t imagine travelling without it. I’m not anti-Airbnb but recent events have made me think about how I use the site. I felt I couldn’t write a guide to using Airbnb without discussing various Airbnb ethical issues.

Is it possible to use Airbnb ethically in Europe? And if so, how? Here’s a quick rundown of the issues.

IS AIRBNB LEGAL?

There’s nothing illegal about the Airbnb platform itself, but the company does not enforce local lodging laws and regulations, insisting this is the host’s responsibility.

Possible problems with this include:

the host may not be complying with (intentionally or otherwise) regulations around fire and environmental safety, zoning and property use
the locality may be missing out on taxes
the host may be (intentionally or otherwise) violating housing contracts and/or insurance policies

Regulation is slowly catching up with the sharing economy reality and forcing Airbnb to comply, particularly in cities with clout. Local authorities are starting to cap tourist numbers and restrict how hosts are using Airbnb, with a focus on commercial apartment listings rather than shared spaces and primary residences.

As a consumer, a further problem is the lack of transparency in the listings. As a guest, it’s impossible to know which listings are compliant, and therefore to gauge the impact of your stay.

IS AIRBNB UNETHICAL?

Is Airbnb destroying neighbourhoods? The main ethical argument against Airbnb concerns its impact on local communities and housing markets. Airbnb is great for guests and hosts, less so for the rest of the community.

Lack of regulation combined with good returns encourages property speculation
- Landlords can make more money on holiday lets than long term tenants
- Investors buy up apartments, reducing the stock and pushing up prices
- Exacerbates existing problems with scarcity of affordable housing
Harder to control tourist numbers if accommodation is outside regulation
An influx of inconsiderate guests brings problems with noise and littering
Neighbourhoods and businesses change with the ratio of residents-tourists

Airbnb’s marketing presents a cosy image of home-sharers bonding over authentic moments and connection, but its growth is fuelled by property investors and third-party management businesses.

That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with commercially run apartments – if they are compliant, the guest is aware and the numbers properly managed, then we can all enjoy the benefits.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE AIRBNB ETHICALLY?

Arguably the genie is out of the bottle. Airbnb has created a demand that won’t disappear by avoiding the platform.

What’s needed:

regulation to protect communities in over-touristed areas
better information from destinations on minimising impact
consumer demand for transparency and accountability from Airbnb and other companies
innovation is needed from the hospitality sector to win back customers who don’t feel that the traditional providers cater for them (the rise of flashpacker design hostels is one example)

As a consumer, I want more transparency. I want to know the impact of my choices. I want to know if I’m booking a business listing or a primary residence. If the money is staying locally or going to foreign investors.

In the meantime, I have my own code of ethics I try to adhere to whilst travelling. Here are a few suggestions to help minimise your impact:

Avoid vacation rentals in over-touristed hotspots in favour of locally-owned B&Bs, hotels and hostels
Check with the local tourist board for a list of registered properties
Use Airbnb to book primary residences or private rooms only where possible
Be a considerate guest

In Mediterranean Europe, Airbnb is increasingly used as a booking engine by traditional pensions, domatia and family-run guesthouses. It can be a great way to surface these guesthouses who otherwise might not have much of an internet presence, particularly in remote areas.

AIRBNB AND DISCRIMINATION

One fundamental flaw of the default booking system in Airbnb – which requires approval from the host – is that it allows for discrimination. Studies have found POC and disabled users of the site are more likely to have a booking request rejected.

Airbnb’s most visible response has been to make hosts sign a Community Commitment, whilst it experiments with platform changes to reduce unconscious bias.

But is this enough? Airbnb seems reluctant to remove hosts accused of discrimination – what’s the point of an agreement if there is no recrimination for breaking it?

ALTERNATIVES TO AIRBNB

Has this discussion of Airbnb ethics prompted to you look for alternatives to Airbnb? Here’s a list of booking sites for apartments, rooms and homeshares, although bear in mind they might be subject to the same problems listed above.

“When mainstream companies don’t serve particular groups of consumers well enough, new enterprises very quickly muscle in on their territory.” – The Airbnb Bias Row . . . , The Guardian