Anyone ever used AirBnb in UK?

JamesJoanne · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:17

I am curious about how Airbnb works.

When I find a flat and I pay for it with a card or paypal do I simply turn up at the place and if so what happens there? Is there someone waiting for me to whom I have to give my ID? or AirBnb takes care of that bit?

andy_mk3 · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:26

Wife and I used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Got a room in Nottingham, about a week before we got an e-mail from the owner, saying the room would be available from 3pm onwards, the key would be in a key safe next to the door and the code for it. We turned up, got the key out the safe and in the room. Simple as that.

Others may have other ways, but they will basically just let you know.

JamesJoanne · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:36

what about your ID? you haven't had to use it at all?

Delvis · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:40

Stayed at one Friday night last week.

Requested the stay, they messaged and confirmed the stay and took payment.
They sent details of apartment and what the code was for the entrance and the code for the key lock.

Stayed, left and put key back in the key lock

Forgot to say, we booked it on the day literally hours before

JamesJoanne · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:45

OK, but you don't have to provide your ID to anyone other than airbnb?

Dis86 · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:46

What's your obsession with ID?

andy_mk3 · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:51

JamesJoanne said:
OK, but you don't have to provide your ID to anyone other than airbnb?

No ID no. Why?

cheesyboy · 22 Nov 2019 at 21:55

Listen bro, if this is part of some murder, or other high crime, plot then this sort of "I'd like a room with no ID" questioning doesn't look good in your search history.

Pawnless Endgame · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:09

andy_mk3 said:
Nottingham, about a week before we got an e-mail from the owner, saying the room would be available from 3pm onwards, the key would be in a key safe next to the door and the code for it. We turned up, got the key out the safe and in the room. Simple as that.

Similar to your post but in the Bastille area of Paris, France. It was in an apartment block and we were emailed a code for one of the lockers in the locker / mail room. Inside there was the key to get into the flat. The email of course also said which locker it was.

Thecaferacer · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:17

Use it constantly in Brighton and Edinburgh. Just like using booking.com. there are a few sketchy places up for rent but they're pretty obvious.

Mark M · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:26

JamesJoanne said:
OK, but you don't have to provide your ID to anyone other than airbnb?

Who you hiding from?

Feek · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:38

I had an enjoyable couple of nights in an AirBnB in Swansea. Effectively I house shared with the owner. She was perfectly polite and cooked me breakfast. I didn’t have to show any ID.

JamesJoanne · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:44

With all the hacks and stuff I don't fee comfortable having my ID being scanned away when the person whose doing that is probably not very "data protection act" minded. I am shocked that you walked into someone else property having to pass "no ID checks". I would never allow someone to use my place like that. I was considering put my place up on airbnb but having second thoughts. I thought airbnb verifies the customer?

wedrum · 22 Nov 2019 at 22:53

Get on tinder free night

secretspy · 22 Nov 2019 at 23:03

I've used it a couple of times. Same as the others, get told the code for the key safe etc. I'm sure when I first set it up you had to have a profile pic otherwise you couldn't book anywhere.

Does it not have an FAQ section for those wanting to put up a property? Or you could contact them to ask what checks, if any, are done.

As for not feeling comfortable about someone having your ID, are you referring to guests seeing some of your details or the actual info that Air bnb will hold? If the latter, than they would be following the GDPR policy so your ID would/should be safe.

VincentHanna · 23 Nov 2019 at 02:48

I use Airbnb a lot for holidays, but things like this are concerning:

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/airbnb-hidden-cameras-how-to-find_l_5cad177de4b01bf96007085c

squawkBOX · 23 Nov 2019 at 09:48

For Airbnb, when you book, you'll get information on the process.

So on the platform, you've the choice of different accomodation, such as a private room in someone's house to a full house.

I've stayed in lots of places - I always tend to go for whole flat/apartments. For those, someone will meet you at a preagreed time (usually at the apartment) or as others have detailed, some places do a self check-in using a code.

For shared rooms, it is typically more like a B&B setup, so you'll likely check-in with the owners as a normal B&B.

As for ID, it's all dealt by the platform. I think I provided either my driving licence or passport.

snips86x · 23 Nov 2019 at 09:53

I've been using in the UK and Europe for 4-5 years and never been asked for Id...

Efour · 23 Nov 2019 at 09:57

Guy is obviously.

Under 18
Having affair.
Having bum fun.

Delvis · 23 Nov 2019 at 10:48

JamesJoanne said:
With all the hacks and stuff I don't fee comfortable having my ID being scanned away when the person whose doing that is probably not very "data protection act" minded. I am shocked that you walked into someone else property having to pass "no ID checks". I would never allow someone to use my place like that. I was considering put my place up on airbnb but having second thoughts. I thought airbnb verifies the customer?

You can't just stay at an Air BnB willy nilly, the owner approves the stay, if you don't like their stay history or feedback, deny them. If you want to have an extra check for the air BnB (such as you being there to hand the key over) that's your choice (assumingly)