Airbnb links with Neighbourhood Watch to deter bad tenants

Airbnb has linked up with Neighbourhood Watch in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour in short lets this summer.

As part of a campaign to clamp down on unwanted behaviour Airbnb has issued summer safety packs to over 75,000 hosts in the UK, and says the packs are “equipping them with information and tools on how to be responsible and considerate neighbours.”

Neighbourhood Watch has created bespoke guides for both hosts and guests on how to behave appropriately. 

John Hayward-Cripps, the chief executive of Neighbourhood Watch, says: “Our research shows the positive impact tourism can have on local communities. But for everyone to benefit, it’s imperative that Hosts listen to their neighbours’ needs. We look forward to working with Airbnb’s fantastic host community to share our expertise in this area.”

Hosts can sign up for a free noise sensor which alerts them remotely if noise levels exceed a certain range while protecting guest privacy. In addition Airbnb’s neighbourhood support line, open 24 hours a day, allows local residents to contact a dedicated safety team directly with any concerns about a listing. 

A statement from Airbnb says: “Airbnb believes clear and modern rules for short-term lets can strengthen local communities, and recent research from Neighbourhood Watch reveals 54 per cent of adults in the UK say tourism helps drive investment into local infrastructure, public spaces and services. 

“Airbnb has long led calls for a national Host register, which will give authorities a clear picture of short-term letting activity in their area, allowing them to identify and take action towards antisocial behaviour and bad actors, and inform planning decisions around local housing.”

And Amanda Cupples, general manager of Airbnb in UK & Northern Europe, says: “Responsible travel is at the heart of Airbnb, and local communities are as important to us as our Hosts and guests. We are committed to ensuring the people who use our platform are good neighbours, and our new technology and neighbourhood safety measures - coupled with new rules for short-term lets - will help tackle local concerns where they exist.”

Earlier this week we reported that Airbnb was introducing so-called screening technology to weed out anti-social tenants this summer.

The screening technology looks at factors relating to the guest’s account and their booking that may indicate a higher risk for this type of incident. These factors include whether guest review history, the length of their trip, the distance to the listing, and if the booking is on a weekend or a weekday, among other considerations. 

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