Re:Airbnb (YC W09): The Rise of the One-Room Hotel
by wait on Saturday November 13, 2010 @03:02PM
(#1901557)
If you're talking about the bill that makes something like Airbnb illegal, their founder commented on it during StartUp School. If I remember correctly, he said that the bill was in response to people who would buy apartment buildings and use all the rooms to make them into an unlicensed hotel.
They talked with the sponsor of the bill and he said that they wanted to work with each other, or something to that effect. I haven't looked into it any more than watching his talk, so I could be wrong.
That's not to disagree with you, though. I find it a cowardly move, as well.
Yes, there are health and security concerns and yes, they can be addressed by some common sense procedures such as checking ratings before you go and sending a friend the address of where you're staying, and maybe let them check in on you by phone if you're that paranoid.
Furthermore, the "craigslist killer" was also suspected to have been involved in three cases of assault and murder in actual, major hotels: Westin, Mariott and Holiday Inn based on similar criminal characteristics. Prosecution was stopped when he committed suicide. Crime can happen anywhere. Also, have you never heard of bedbug cases in hotels?
Viva creative destruction.