London - Would you swap your hotel for a perfect stranger's bed? So-called social travel networks have seen a surge in popularity as people find new ways to cash in on their possessions, space and even time. Websites such as Airbnb, Wimdu and 9flats enable holidaymakers to bypass hotels and homeowners to make money renting out their pads for just a few weeks of the year - but there are risks.
The breadth of choice is impressive. Airbnb has listings in 33 000 cities, ranging from beachside apartments and mid-century bungalows to city lofts and country cottages.
A few minutes of browsing finds places to suit almost any budget and taste; a one-bedroom Berlin loft for £186 (about R3 000) a week, a three-floor cube house in Rotterdam for £574 a week, and even a luxury three-bedroom LA penthouse, complete with pool table, fire pit and hot tub, for £1,634 a week.
Some sites specialise in whole properties to rent (such as Housetrip), but others allow you to refine your search to find private rooms and shared rooms. Onefinestay takes things a step further, concentrating on rentals of upscale apartments and houses in London and New York, taking care of everything for owners including replacement linen, cleaning, insurance, storage of valuables and meeting guests.
Owners are often encouraged to share their insider knowledge and pass on top tips to the people staying in their home. Some hosts go beyond the call of duty, offering free bikes to use during your stay, pointing out the best restaurants and even taking you on a tour of the city.
So the benefits are clear, yet for both host and guest, cost and security are the priorities.
If you are tempted, be clear as to exactly what you will end up paying, looking out for extras such as cleaning fees and admin charges. Airbnb takes a 6-12 percent cut from guests and charges hosts three percent for complete bookings, while HouseTrip charges a service fee of 10-20 percent and an admin fee of three percent (for both guests and hosts). Cancellation fees will apply too, and may differ from one listing to another, although they usually work as a percentage refund depending on how late you leave it to cancel your booking.
When it comes to safety, self-regulation in the form of reviews is a huge part of how these markets work. A lack of decent photographs and incomplete descriptions are usually enough to put people off, but the community relies on every member to provide feedback and flag up issues.
Fraudsters can use these sites to advertise holiday villas or apartments that don't actually exist, so research the holiday firm and think twice before you pay an owner directly. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) offers some handy advice; check terms and conditions to confirm exactly what you are paying for, and don't be afraid to ask questions, as a legitimate company or owner should be able to answer your queries.
Avoid using a money transfer agent such as Western Union or Moneygram to pay for accommodation, as these are not intended for commercial payments and your money cannot be traced if you encounter a problem.
The sites should do their bit too. For example, Airbnb offers a free “host guarantee” in many countries, reimbursing hosts for damage to their property up to £600 000, although this protection is subject to various exclusions including jewellery and motor vehicles. Similarly, for guests, the better sites offer a 24-hour support team, and they wait for up to 48 hours after a guest's booked check-in date so that if there is anything wrong on arrival they can hold the money until a solution has been found. They should also provide emergency properties and last-minute changes so that your holiday isn't ruined.
Legal issues could also be a concern as homeowners in some cities have run into regulatory barriers. For example, many US cities ban rentals of fewer than 30 days if properties have not been licensed and inspected (although housesitting and home swaps are both possible). A judge in New York recently issued a $2 400 fine to an Airbnb host, and in Quebec, the government is also trying to crack down on rentals without permits.
Amsterdam has gone the other way, giving hosts the green light for short-term lets, albeit with the caveat that homes must not be rented out professionally (so they have to live in the property and cannot rent out their home continuously). In other cities this is a grey area, so it could set a precedent for others to follow suit. But for now, you'll need to swot up on the local rules for any given city.
“There is no single set of rules. Berlin is looking to ban all holiday rentals and is due to vote this week. Catalunya has a taxation and registration system while the Canaries ban them altogether,” says Ryan Levitt of HouseTrip. “We state that homeowners must accept our terms and conditions, which state they are working within the boundaries of local laws.”
David Brooke, 49, is a furniture consultant who first considered renting his four-bed home in Highbury for last year's Olympics.
“My partner Neil and I found the preparation work too difficult to fit into our lifestyles,” he says. “A friend recommended Onefinestay, who took away all the hassle. It's been a perfect partnership.”
David now rents the house whenever he is away, locking away valuables. David is a big advocate of social travel. “It's the perfect way for a family to relax more comfortably in the one space,” he says. “I think it also enables guests to experience different neighbourhoods in London.” - The Independent on Sunday