If hotels can advertise +21 only, why not an airbnb?

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I was reading about a couple who went to a hotel advertising it was for folks only over 21, and wondered why it is not discriminatory at that hotel but IS at airbnb?

I recently removed my ‘we have guests over 25 only’ because it appeared to conflict with airbnb rules, but did I misunderstand?

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I just got this from airbnb Superhost support… comments?

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I’m wondering whether it’s something to do with the size of the business? In the UK, ages ago, I remember a fuss about some new legislation or other that meant that all companies with over X number of employees were obliged to employ one [enter type of employee here].

This was some sort of anti-discrimination ruling - I suspect it was wheelchair users or similar.

Could that be the case?

I have to say though, if I read ads for hotels that specify 21+ I tend to assume that the place is ‘clothing optional’ or related to some other ‘adult activity’.

Maybe that’s just my dirty mind…

:astonished:

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I am HOPING that when I asked the help person and told him it was in my own home that it was taken into consideration - that perhaps since I live in the property that it was applicable (as opposed to a standalone airbnb). How do I confirm what I was just told? Ask 5 other Help folks and create a collection? Is there a ‘carve out’ link to quote?

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Not a bad idea! :rofl:

But it’s well worth looking further into the legal differences between in-home hosting and remote rentals.

Here in South Florida, it used to be common to see small hotels advertising that they were male-only and that clothing was optional. Of course, these signs are no longer seen.

So I’m not up to date with the necessary legislation, especially as I haven’t hosted in-home in the US, only back in the UK. But that message from Airbnb seems clear enough, despite Airbnb’s policy regarding any discrimination being clearly otherwise.

I suppose it depends on one’s interpretation of the below from the Airbnb site. It seems like a grey area.

Airbnb hosts may:

  • Provide factually accurate information about their listing’s features (or lack of features) that could lead a guest to determine that the listing is unsuitable for guests of a certain age or guests with children or infants.
  • Note in their listings any applicable laws or regulations that prohibit guests of a particular age or guests with children or infants (for example, a listing that is part of a housing association that is restricted to only seniors).

Airbnb hosts may not:

  • Decide for guests that a listing does not meet the needs of guests of a certain age or guests with children or infants.
  • Impose different terms or conditions or decline a reservation because of a guest’s age or familial status, unless such restriction is required by applicable law or regulations.
    • This includes imposing rules like “no guests under 21,” charging more fees for guests of a certain age, or discouraging certain types of guest bookings because of age or familial status.
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My instant thought was, to wait a couple days and then call them up exactly 12 hours shifted from the time you just called to minimize the risk of getting the same rep.

When I call outside the French business hours, I get US reps which is quite a relief for me as I can handle better English (believe it or not) than French. :rofl:

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Notice in that CS message it says you can mention the age of the guests you prefer. It doesn’t say you can decline them based on their age.

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…and this is why your commentary is always excellent! Thank you for this - saying ‘what we prefer’ is not ‘what we decide’…

I’m still open to calling them over the next five days at various times to get a consensus…

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Wait, WAIT! Are you saying there are actually hours when we can be (somewhat) assured we’ll get a US customer service rep w/ Air? ‘Cause if that’s the case, I’m all over THAT!!!

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Hotels are considered public accommodations under U.S. law, and they can set certain age restrictions, usually 21+, because of things like legal liability (bars etc.) or “adults-only” branding. So they can usually get away with “21+ only” policies, though they have to be careful not to violate state-level laws that might be stricter.

Airbnb’s policy is stricter than general laws in some ways, and age is a gray area, you can’t make a blanket rule like “only guests over 25” because Airbnb treats age as a protected category under its commitment to inclusion. So saying “only 25+ allowed” in your listing can be interpreted as age discrimination under Airbnb policy, even if it’s legal locally.

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In our case (living in France) there is no 24 hour French CS line for hosts (no idea if they do have that for guests).

I happen to call a few times way before 7am or after 10pm and I ended up with US reps. I cannot tell you if this was a coincidence but that’s what happened to me.

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