Last Updated on June 16, 2023 by Rental Recon
A lot of people worry about being scammed online. As an online platform, Airbnb is subject to scrutiny by people who are worried about being scammed online. So, how can you know if an Airbnb host is legit?
How to Know if an Airbnb Host is Legit?
How can you tell if an Airbnb host is legitimate? Airbnb has mechanisms in place to ensure the identify of their 4-million hosts.
Airbnb acts as an intermediary between the host and the guests. Airbnb guarantees hosts are legitimate through their Know Your Customer policy, which requires hosts to verify their identities.
Airbnb guarantees properties are legitimate through their review process. Guests and hosts review each other at the end of each transaction. Hosts accumulate positive reviews as a testimonial to the quality of the experience they provide and the legitimacy of their business.
Can Airbnb Hosts be Fake?
No—an Airbnb host cannot fake their identity. Airbnb has a Know Your Customer policy that requires Airbnb to verify the identity of the hosts who are earning money on their platform. In a nutshell, if you do not verify your identity with Airbnb you cannot earn money on their platform.
Hosts verify their identify by uploading a copy of a government-issued identification card. Airbnb verifies the identity of the hosts on their platform, so user like you don’t have to worry about the legitimacy of the person you are renting from.
How do I Verify My Airbnb Host?
The best way to verify your Airbnb host is to ensure that you are communicating with your host via the Airbnb platform. You can either use the Airbnb app or you can log directly onto the Airbnb website. When you log into the website look for the Airbnb logo in the browser bar. Communicate with your hosts directly through the Airbnb platform because Airbnb will act as an intermediary on your behalf if any issues arise.
Can You Trust an Airbnb Superhost?
Yes, you can trust an Airbnb Superhost. The Superhost program exists to signify the top-ranked hosts on their platform. In order to become a Superhost—hosts must consistently receive high reviews from their guests.
If you are concerned about the quality of the experience you will receive on your Airbnb vacation, then booking with a Superhost is a good way to hedge your bets. Superhosts have demonstrated consistent quality in the amenities they provide, so booking with a Superhost is a good way to ensure that you will book a high-quality location.
What if I Feel Scammed by an Airbnb Host?
Airbnb takes steps to ensure the legitimacy of the hosts on their platform. Hosts must verify their identify in order to receive payments from Airbnb. Airbnb also has a review system where hosts accumulate reviews of their properties to further demonstrate the legitimacy of their businesses.
Despite all of the Airbnb safeguards a situation may arise where you feel dissatisfied with your Airbnb host or experience. If a disagreement arises you can use the Airbnb customer support services and Airbnb will act as an intermediary between you and the host. The third-party relationship between Airbnb hosts and guests provides a layer of protection for both the host and the renter.
How Can I Contact Airbnb?
As a longtime Airbnb host I can tell you that some people are just not comfortable with the Airbnb App. Some people will book on their home computers then find themselves unable to contact Airbnb because they choose not to use the app.
While I highly recommend that anyone who books an Airbnb download the app, is it possible to contact customer support via phone. If you are not comfortable using apps on your phone, then I highly recommend this article on contacting Airbnb directly.
Should I Rent from Hosts Without Reviews?
Reviews are a very important element of the Airbnb platform. If a host doesn’t have any reviews, it isn’t necessarily a red flag. Hosts need to start somewhere. It is possible that you are renting from a host who is new to the platform and has not yet accumulated any reviews.
If you are highly skeptical of the Airbnb process then it is advisable to avoid properties without reviews and stick with Superhosts until you feel more comfortable with the Airbnb process. If you would like to know more about hosts without reviews you can read this article on renting from hosts without reviews.
