You plug in the word “landlord” to “Landlord uses his unit to offset …” and the outraged comments that “A landlord can’t DO that! Her can’t rent on AirBnB and not offer the unit for rental” but that is also what is happening.

Landlords, rather than renting out their units, are using them as hotel stays at a much more lucrative short-term stay than rent to YOU.

Tenants who “host” on AirBnB don’t care that the inconvenience of their “guests” who may party into the wee hours, leave doors wide open, commandeer the laundry area (it’s an “amenity” of guest’s stay, dontcha know) trample all over the safety, security and peaceful enjoyment the actual residents would like to have and deserve and pay for.

Hosts on AirBnB are selfish. It’s all about them. Many make much more than they pay in rent which in turn drives up rental prices even more. They’ll never leave that unit, especially with rent control. It’s their cottage business. They can make money, keep the rental off the market and lo and behold, inventory shrinks again and rents skyrocket (supply and demand).

And don’t even get me started that AirBnB, in addition to absorbing ZERO liability (wouldn’t my renter’s insurance carrier LOVE to know that muchless absorb the dollar damage) doesn’t pay any hotel tax. Nor do the “hosts.”

Where do you think those lost tax dollars come from? The people who LIVE here. Except a few of the resident AirBnB “hosts” might have some extra dollars in their pockets to pay for the lost tax revenue –

..likely while complaining the MUNI system has old, broken down busses and potholes in the streets.

Because the tax base has been raped by AirBnB, their “hosts” and their “guests.”

Think about it and decide whether you want to be part of the problem.. or part of the solution.

It’s not the “sharing” economy if most people get screwed. And the people who profit are breaking the law- while profiting getting their rent controlled!

Sickening. Please wake up.

My building of all rent-controlled units has become a virtual hotel filled with luggage-wheeling transients who don’t respect other tenants, completely tie up our small laundry – but “OH! WHAT’S THE HARM??”

Right?

Well, because our common areas are trashed, AirBNB refuses any liability, my safety is at risk because the only background check is will the “host” accept the payment he asks and the amenities the “host” lists mean that I, as a tenant, can’t access them and I actually LIVE here.

I won’t even get into the macro issue of removing rental stock desperately needed in SF, the billions of hotel tax lost that we residents will have to cough up, the fact that AirBnB has helped push Ellis evictions of seniors, disabled and low income residents 170% higher than it was 2 years ago.

Well, that is worth it because my AirBnB “host” made more money last month than he pays rent so he can fund his next vacation to Italy or a downpayment for a home or condo.

Gee, hope I don’t get raped by one of your AirBnB “guests” since AirBnB clearly states that they have zero liability. I think we’ve gone into pretty murky territory and clearly some pretty shady ethics on the part of both “host” and “guest” who uses AirBnB.

In my view, it’s a pretty crappy way to make a few bucks off other peoples’ backs and letting them absorb the liability and inconvenience, lack of apartment stock and skyrocketing rents – so the “host” can vacation in Italy.

Please. It’s so parasitic, it sickens me that “hosts” sugar-coat this as the “sharing economy.”

It’s anything BUT.

The above approach would be like a safety release valve that would help landlords avoid the temptation of quick money when the market prices have risen so dramatically.

I used to have a tenant, never again. I use the space as my office and for occasionally hosting family and friends instead.

Yes, I lose money each year, but not nearly as much it costs to get a bad tenant who can game the city’s punitive rent control laws.

And no, I am not wealthy. I do all right, but I still go to a desk job every day.

And no, I am not opposed to all rent control, but the SFs laws are just absurd.