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Airbnb’s statement is disingenuous. They state the rule clearly then claim surprise it’s being enforced: > hosts are required to register their listing and dis

Airbnb’s statement is disingenuous. They state the rule clearly then claim surprise it’s being enforced: > hosts are required to register their listing and display a license number on their listing page by June 15th in order to stay active on our platform... > Unfortunately, the Japanese government issued a sudden announcement on June 1st instructing any host without a license number to cancel upcoming reservations that were booked before June 15th–even though many of these hosts are actively engaged in the registration process or awaiting their license. From: https://press.atairbnb.com/supporting-travelers-in-japan-australia-and-new-zealand/ https://press.atairbnb.com/supporting-travelers-in-japan-aus...

icebraining 8y ago
How so? If the rule was applicable from June 15th, it is surprising that it's being enforced before that date, no?
- paulsutter 8y ago
  The authorities would know if a flood of license approvals about to happen before the 15th. But surely there’s not, and on the 15th these units become illegal. Two weeks notice seems much more fair to travelers than waiting till the 15th and cancelling. Rules are followed in Japan. Allowing a grace period for unlicensed rentals was really fair of them.
  - icebraining 8y ago
    Your opinion on the fairness of the new order is immaterial to whether Airbnb is feigning surprise the rule is being enforced. They are not.
    - paulsutter 8y ago
      Airbnb gambled that the rule wouldn’t really be enforced by accepting reservations past the 15th for unlicensed units, their gamble didn’t pay off, and now they’re pretending to be surprised. Yes that’s the aggressive stance when 80% if units are at stake, but it’s Airbnb who is inconsiderate of renters here. They accepted reservations that were bound to be cancelled.
      - mercutio2 8y ago
        [Edit]: I have just read AirBNB’s response, stating that they ARE cancelling reservations, in a rolling 10-days-out fashion. The linked [cntraveler.com] article is wrong. So, paulsutter is right, it is disingenuous for AirBNB to have allowed those bookings knowing the law would go into effect on June 15th. And I personally am screwed, crap. Leaving original for posterity [pre-Edit]: Huh? Did you read the article? They specifically say that existing reservations are not cancelled. Good thing for me, too, because I have three different existing AirBNBs booked in Japan after June 15th.

icebraining 8y ago

How so? If the rule was applicable from June 15th, it is surprising that it's being enforced before that date, no?

paulsutter 8y ago
The authorities would know if a flood of license approvals about to happen before the 15th. But surely there’s not, and on the 15th these units become illegal. Two weeks notice seems much more fair to travelers than waiting till the 15th and cancelling. Rules are followed in Japan. Allowing a grace period for unlicensed rentals was really fair of them.
- icebraining 8y ago
  Your opinion on the fairness of the new order is immaterial to whether Airbnb is feigning surprise the rule is being enforced. They are not.
  - paulsutter 8y ago
    Airbnb gambled that the rule wouldn’t really be enforced by accepting reservations past the 15th for unlicensed units, their gamble didn’t pay off, and now they’re pretending to be surprised. Yes that’s the aggressive stance when 80% if units are at stake, but it’s Airbnb who is inconsiderate of renters here. They accepted reservations that were bound to be cancelled.
    - mercutio2 8y ago
      [Edit]: I have just read AirBNB’s response, stating that they ARE cancelling reservations, in a rolling 10-days-out fashion. The linked [cntraveler.com] article is wrong. So, paulsutter is right, it is disingenuous for AirBNB to have allowed those bookings knowing the law would go into effect on June 15th. And I personally am screwed, crap. Leaving original for posterity [pre-Edit]: Huh? Did you read the article? They specifically say that existing reservations are not cancelled. Good thing for me, too, because I have three different existing AirBNBs booked in Japan after June 15th.