Sounds in a pro unlessyou plan on partying or anything shady

I have a two unit building. I live upstairs and rent the downstairs apartment on Airbnb. The entrances are separate and around the corner from one another. My listing says that I live and work in the neighborhood so I’m available, but I don’t tell guests I live upstairs. I rarely see my guests. . My apartment is 95 percent booked and I maybe see a guest once or twice a month.

Anonymous wrote:Airbnb host here -- Lot of you seem to be doing things at Airbnbs that you don't want the hosts to know about.

I have an Airbnb that is about a mile from my house. My neighbors keep an eye on it for me. And I have texted guests about things my neighbors reported, like parking in the wrong place and making too much noise.

Not having the host nearby is not a blanket pass to disrespect the rules.

You sound like an annoying host who doesn’t get Airbnb. If a neighbor complains because it’s bothering them no problem but you just have them spying so you can chide them? I treat AirBnBs like my own home and have never had an issue but I don’t want to be spied on. You rent out your home. You asume some risk. Don’t lurk your paying guests. It’s weird.

Airbnb host here -- Lot of you seem to be doing things at Airbnbs that you don't want the hosts to know about.

I have an Airbnb that is about a mile from my house. My neighbors keep an eye on it for me. And I have texted guests about things my neighbors reported, like parking in the wrong place and making too much noise.

Not having the host nearby is not a blanket pass to disrespect the rules.

Con for me. I might consider it if the hosts lived nearby but not on property. I’d feel watched. And when I go away with my family I want to reduce external obligations and distractions. Last thing I want is when I’m tired after a drive or flight to have a host greeting me and trying to have small talk. I look for contactless check in and scour reviews to ensure this won’t be the case.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t consider it a pro. I don’t mind meeting the owner but I don’t want to interact with them every day.

One owner took us out on his boat and fed us crabs, which was great. Another airbnb owner would randomly stop by to do gardening or would text and ask us to turn off lights and in general she annoyed me.

OMG. I hope you noted that in your review!

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised they tell you they live next door.

I think there's a prompt for hosts to say something about their availability during the guest's stay.

I had a bad experience with this on a longer stay where the host’s mom and sister were in the other unit of the building. There were a lot of issues, and I felt watched by the end of it. On the other hand, I was glad the owner was in the unit across the landing on another longish stay for security and when I needed supplies and amenities that were listed. I often no longer consider Airbnbs, but I wouldn’t let a nearby host stop me from otherwise booking a shorter stay.

I don't mind if for long weekend, but not preference for longer stays - less interaction, the better.

I don’t consider it a pro. I don’t mind meeting the owner but I don’t want to interact with them every day.

One owner took us out on his boat and fed us crabs, which was great. Another airbnb owner would randomly stop by to do gardening or would text and ask us to turn off lights and in general she annoyed me.

I prefer it to the Airbnbs that are basically cheap rental businesses for real estate investors. Those have been more likely to be party houses or poorly stocked. I personally have never considered a "private room in a shared house" or whatever the airbnb category is, but apartments above separated garages, or cottages in the backyard, etc have been our most memorable stays. Well stocked, thoughtful, yet still private.

it worked out well for us when the lock wouldn't open. She walked across the street to let us in. It would only be an issue if you are breaking the rules.

We stayed in this setup in Faubourg Marigny when we eloped. The owners left us a bottle of champagne and later in the week had us over for wine and cheese. It was one of the most remarkable evenings out we’ve ever had—truly memorable 15+ years on. It’s a plus.

On balance I think it is a pro. I am tired of absentee AirBnB owners -- our last AirBnB (in London) had a owner living in Switzerland .... there was no toilet paper or soap in the flat when we arrived, and the cleaning crew was clearly not up to snuff (unwashed dishes in the dishwasher, travel crib still set up from the last visitor), and we needed to stay in one morning to let a repair person into the flat. One of those issues would have been fine. All of them together left me unhappy.

I have met a couple of overly-friendly owners, but overall I have had pleasant interactions with AirBnB owners and almost always learn something about the place we are staying -- an unexpected activity to do or a hidden gem to visit. And some of them have been very interesting people.