If you’re gearing up to host international revellers this silly season you’re probably rubbing your hands together, but it pays to be up to speed with all the latest laws.

Recently Airbnb has come under fire for bias and discrimination on the part of hosts and the guests they accept, and they launched an extensive investigation into just how widespread the problem was.

Now Airbnb have announced what they’re calling a Community Commitment, and failure to accept the terms of that commitment will result in not being able to take bookings.

Here, with the help of Traveller24, is what you need to know:

What is the Community Commitment, you may be wondering?

Airbnb states in a mailer sent out on Sunday 30 October, “You commit to treat everyone—regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age—with respect, and without judgement or bias.”

In September this year, Airbnb apologised for its slow response to accusations of racism and outlined new policies to combat the problem, including reducing the prominence of photos in the booking process. At the time the company said it plans to automatically block future reservations for dates where a host has told someone that a property was unavailable…

Numerous anecdotes on social media with the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack recounted incidents in which African-American guests were told listings were unavailable for the dates they wanted, only to see those same listings re-advertised later for the same dates.

How do I accept the commitment?

On and after November 1, you’ll be shown the Community Commitment when you log in to or open the Airbnb website, mobile or tablet app and you’ll automatically be asked to accept.

But can hosts decline the commitment?

Actually, no!

If you decline the commitment, you won’t be able to host or book using Airbnb, and you have the option to cancel your account, says Airbnb.

Once your account is cancelled, future booked trips will be cancelled, it says. You will still be able to browse Airbnb but you won’t be able to book any reservations or host any guests.

Get it? Got it? Good.

For those who prefer to have someone else handle their Airbnb business, from top to bottom, check out the lowdown on Homeslice HERE.

Let’s just be lekker over the summer months please, people.

[source:traveller24]