If you aren't comfortable renting your home to random people then don't use AirBNB, plain and simple. Buy a second home for commercial purposes and AirBNB rent it out instead (and if that gives you pause then maybe you should reconsider the whole idea of being a small-time landlord with AirBNB).

And if you are renting your home with AirBNB and _don't_ have some type of commercial rental insurance or coverage through your main policy you are skating on very thin ice. Even the nicest looking person in the world could ruin your place, or at the very least hurt themselves seriously in your home and bankrupt you with a massive liability lawsuit. If you aren't ready to be a landlord and abide by their rules, regulations, etc. then don't rent out with AirBNB.

> If you aren't comfortable renting your home to random people then don't use AirBNB, plain and simple.

Why? Says who? You're coming up with this strict concept of what AirBnB must be, but I see no reason to agree with you. It's as absurd as saying "if you aren't comfortable giving a ride to a hitchhiker with a rifle on his back and a blood-stained shirt, then don't give a ride to any hitchhiker."

AirBNB is claiming to be exactly that though - renting a spare place in someone's house. It doesn't claim to be renting commercial properties or a hotel. (As such it can't guarantee that the owners of houses won't be arseholes)

Look past the disruptive startup hype and read the fine print, AirBNB absolutely is warning you to abide by all local laws and regulations. If they didn't do that they would be open to big lawsuits. At the end of the day your insurance company, a judge, etc. isn't going to buy the excuse 'but AirBNB didn't tell me I couldn't rent without x, y, z...'

Airbnb has insurance and acts as an escrow for this very purpose. This is what part of their fee is for.

I also rent my home out on VRBO, a competing platform. It is very similar to Airbnb.

This is a transaction based on trust. Random people cannot stay at my house. They need reviews and need to be properly vetted.

College guys looking to party can go to a hotel instead.

this is why the whole business model of airbnb is flawed, their whole business model consists of doging regulations, quality and safety standards, and fair treatment requirements that any usual business is subject to. Same applies to uber.

Vacation Rentals have been around for a long time longer than Airbnb. In fact, there is nothing unique about Airbnb at all except it is more usable.

I do have regulations in my town, and they are a nightmare. The regulations only benefit hotels by discouraging people from renting out their houses or rooms.