Owners of properties that are advertised for rent on the AirBnB platform have offered them to visitors in contravention of the current lockdown restrictions.
A Clare FM investigation which focussed on this county, and on other areas in the West and South of Ireland, found that 40% of hosts agreed to rent out their properties this month without even asking the reasons for the stay.
Earlier this week, after Cork Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard claimed that AirBnB properties were being used for parties and drinking binges during lockdown, the company was quick to defend itself.
It issued a statement insisting there was “no evidence” to back up the claims, and that it takes public health policies very seriously.
Clare FM has been putting that claim to the test.
An anonymous account setup by the station this week made enquiries to stay at over two dozen AirBnB properties in Clare, and in other nearby counties. The queries for Clare covered many different parts of the county and were not solely located in coastal areas.
The enquiries made no reference as to why the accommodation was sought, or where our fake customer was based, but made it clear that the property was to be booked for just the last weekend of February, when lockdown restrictions will still be in place.
60% of those who responded said they weren’t taking bookings, or that they were only doing so if there was proof of a need for essential travel, but the remaining 40% were happy to take our booking.
Of those ready to approve a booking, one host said they were “happy to have guests” and that their accommodation was “perfectly private and isolated”. Another said they were “totally Covid friendly” and a third was “looking forward to hosting” us.
This clearly shows that a significant portion of AirBnB hosts have been happy to indicate that they are willing to let out their properties without first checking if any COVID rules are being breached.
In a statement to Clare FM, AirBnB said they take these reports seriously and will investigate.
They say that their website includes clear warnings about government restrictions, that the vast majority of hosts follow the rules, and that they have removed over 2,500 listings across Europe as part of a recent crackdown against those who breach their terms of service, which include following local laws.
Statement from Air BnB
While no details have been shared with us, we take these reports very seriously and will investigate. With lockdowns in place across Ireland, stays on Airbnb are only available in limited circumstances, in line with government guidance. We share clear warnings about government restrictions and the vast majority of hosts follow the rules.”
