Problems with midterm rentals on Airbnb

[Brook Simon]

Boy,

I have surely had a lot of questions about this platform in the last two weeks!  The Airbnb teams have been friendly and responsive but my communications have not helped me to understand the problems.  There are two primary topics

1. Airbnb has a policy that states that they do not discriminate against support animals (for disability or emotional support).  That is great but the rub is that I am listing a room in my house for mid-term rental and I cannot accept animals.  To paraphrase, the Airbnb team said: No problem!  As long as you do not accept the reservation (decline the reservation), there is no problem.  But, does this open me up to liability for discrimination??

2.  I accepted a reservation for the 30th of this month.  The reservation was made by a man in France who was reserving it for his fiancé.  Previous reviews for this man's account showed that he has used his account to make at least one reservation for this woman in the past and that the host was pleased with the outcome.  I accepted the reservation and she moved in (yes, moved in).  Her plan was to stay for the month and to extend her reservations until her future plans solidified.  AFTER she moved in, Airbnb called me and told me that they had CANCELED her reservation!  They cannot say why for privacy reasons.  They only say that I should not communicate with her.  The man either does not know why or is not telling me the actual reason they canceled the reservation.  The reservation was paid but I assume they will take that back once this issue is complete.   I do not want to kick her to the street (she says they have no money left to make new arrangements).  I do not want to get on the wrong side of this with Airbnb, I do not want to make her homeless and I cannot refuse to communicate with someone in my home.  I am stumped!

Does anyone have any experience with a situation similar to this or can anyone offer me some helpful advice or insight??

[Brett Deas]

Well as long as you find a reason to deny them besides the pet you have no problem. Just keep asking questions till you get a red flag. 

And NEVER accept a reservation request for "another person", happened to me once and never forgot it. It is a rule that I and many other Airbnb hosts now live by. It is your place, and depending on your refund policy you may not have to give away that money. I am in the camp of you are running a business and not a charity. Hard situations happen but you have to do what is best for you right now.