Dive Brief:
- College students seem to be taking advantage of the Airbnb platform, which allows them to rent out their dorm rooms or extra beds, to make money on the side.
- Fast Company reports while Airbnb encourages hosts to be in compliance with their rental agreements, it does not ask for proof before letting users post ads for their space, and housing offices on campuses in Berkeley and New York City have both had to deal with student renters.
- Managers of a residence hall in Brooklyn that was created with the City University of New York post rooms to Airbnb, advertising the space for local college students through the platform.
Dive Insight:
Airbnb has been in the news because of assaults or thefts undertaken by those who rent space out or those who pay to stay. It has also been criticized for letting private individuals basically operate hotels without paying proper taxes.
The safety and potential liability concerns are numerous for colleges and universities who maintain campus housing. College students cannot easily be prevented from having guests, but how campuses might restrict these guests is an open question.
Because the student renters featured in the Fast Company story did not seem to think what they were breaking rules, housing administrators might consider being more explicit with applicable prohibitions.