Long term rental property through Airbnb - should I be concerned?

sweet-rasmus · 17-12-2021 3:32pm #1

So, I've been searching for somewhere else to rent (within budget, that accepts dogs) for a while now. I found a cottage in Co. Wicklow on Daft and contacted the owner. They took it down from Daft and we have been corrsponding by email. They are abroad. And they want to let through Airbnb. I asked to view the property before making any payments, but their answer was that they are abroad and that Airbnb deal with it. I presume Airbnb won't be giving me an opportunity to view before paying?

Personally - I want to view before handing any money over. Otherwise it could just be a scam.

Also, long term (1 year +) via Airbnb seems odd. Do you know anyone renting this way? Do you do it? Does it work?

The last email correspondence I had with the landlord was being informed that it was through Airbnb and did I want to go ahead with it.

TheWonderLlama · 17-12-2021 3:37pm

The owner gets some sort of letting insurance by doing it through Airbnb, i think. Might be that.

L1011 · 17-12-2021 3:39pm

Owner abroad is often the opening part of a scam. Particularly if there's some mention of sending a deposit on somewhre

If legit, the owner may think this gets them out of Part 4 obligations.

sweet-rasmus · 17-12-2021 3:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118338139#Comment_118338139

Yeah. Plus I would hazard a guess they used to let it to tourists through Airbnb, but with COVID we have fewer tourists, so long term rental might just be a different option to continue receiving an income. I presume if this is the case their Airbnb account will have reviews. So once they send me the link I should learn more.

I made it clear I am looking for 1 year minimum rental, and they said they want at least 2 months, but ideally long term rental.

it just doesn’t feel ‘normal’. Then again, my current rental wants cash in hand and doesn’t want it on any official papers that I’m living here. I’ve been here with no contract, just over 2 years. I only expected a few months really. You take what you can get!

JoChervil · 17-12-2021 3:48pm

If you rented it in a normal way, you would have to pay taxes for your landlord, if he lives abroad. Why don't you rent it for the first day and pay for it in advance and if you like it, just take it for the year, but if situation change, so the price in a summer time might change as well. I doubt you would want to pay for the whole year in advance to secure the price.

sweet-rasmus · 17-12-2021 3:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118338156#Comment_118338156

Yes, that’s why I really want to see the inside (and that they have keys!) before making any payment. I mean, surely they have a local contact with a key! But they said no, it’s all done through Airbnb.

Mrs OBumble · 17-12-2021 4:22pm

Scammy McScamface, run rabbit run!

chicorytip · 17-12-2021 5:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118338212#Comment_118338212

"It's all done through Airbnb". This part makes no sense. Airbnb is not a letting agent, merely a facilitator. There has to be a locally based keyholder or caretaker of some sort or at least you would expect so particularly given the owners live abroad. The fact that they cannot give you that information is very odd indeed, in my opinion.

houseyhouse · 17-12-2021 6:29pm

Are they saying you can’t see it until you’ve paid two month’s rent? That’s very dodgy though I would think that if you go through Airbnb you works have some protections from them.

Ginger83 · 17-12-2021 6:50pm

Scam written all over this. Who in their right mind would hand over two months rent before seeing if it's suitable?

GalwayGaillimh · 18-12-2021 12:09am

Common enough scam dont fall for it

C3PO · 18-12-2021 11:17am

Ah here!!

rubberdungeon · 18-12-2021 11:32am

Has the property been listed in AirBnB?

Can you search and find it yourself in AirBnB?( not via a link sent to you)

Weepsie · 18-12-2021 11:37am

That was a fairly popular scam a couple of years ago..probably someone in the house unaware it's listed

Raichu · 18-12-2021 11:49am

OP - this is a scam a very common rental scam no less.

the owners abroad, can’t show you but trust me it’s great, trust me, air bnb also never show you properties or indeed manage them.

imagine they’d told you daft.ie will show you around? You’d rightly have alarm bells ringing.

you said something feels off about this OP and you’re correct and it’s time to stop engaging with this person. It’s a scam you WILL lose money. Do. Not. Engage.

endofrainbow · 18-12-2021 12:16pm

Trust your gut.

It's possible they have a local agent who maintains/cleans the property. I recently stayed in a place where this was the set-up (owner lived out of state). Any problems, I had to contact the agent who then contacted the owner who reverted to the agent. Most unsatisfactory.

Your first mistake was engaging with them away from the Airbnb portal. Disengage immediately.

Atlantic Dawn · 18-12-2021 12:27pm

Have you talked to them on the phone?

meijin · 18-12-2021 3:04pm

typical scam; I got it before... googled photos - they were from London 🙄! while the address in the email was in Dublin

the "airbnb" site is most likely hosted on google drive, or some other place, not official site

sweet-rasmus · 18-12-2021 8:51pm

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ve not heard from them since Thursday. I feel it’s most likely a scam. I promise, I won’t pay to rent anywhere without seeing it first.

….If anyone knows of anywhere in south Dublin or east Wicklow with decent rent that’ll accept a dog, do share! Oh, renting in Ireland 😭

AndrewJRenko · 18-12-2021 9:03pm

What's the feedback for the property like?

Could you book it just for one night to inspect it?

Caranica · 18-12-2021 9:14pm

The best way to find a place that will accept dogs is word of mouth. Network, neighbours, local shops, sports clubs, schools.

The problem in the current market is that demand outstrips supply and given the choice between a pet owner and a non pet owner, almost every landlord will pick the non pet owner.

Sham Squire · 19-01-2022 12:05pm

Resurrecting this thread as I've just been contacted with the same scam. Any way to get this bastard in trouble? I'm angry that they've tried to take advantage of desperate renters but I'd be furious if they managed to scam someone else.

JimmyMW · 19-01-2022 12:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118499293#Comment_118499293

if you have the time, wreck their heads with supposed incompetency, they will stick with it to the bitter end if they think there is money comming. Had a computer version of same spend 2 hours before trying to talk my 84 year old grandaunt through turning on the PC :)

Once they are out of state not much can be done id imagine, however speak to the guards

endofrainbow · 19-01-2022 6:08pm

had a similar issue with a crowd called rentberry - as they're out of state, nothing the guards can do :(

Long term rental property through Airbnb - should I be concerned?

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