We all know that certain guests can be a bit of a nuisance when staying at an Airbnb property, hotel or even your spare room. But in a surprising turn of events, some Airbnb hosts are causing a stir as well.

In South Brisbane, a group of frustrated Queensland residents made headlines after publicly voicing their grievances with Airbnb hosts who've been attaching lockboxes to their private fences without permission. For those unfamiliar with key lockboxes, they're small safes that hosts use to store the keys for their rentals, allowing guests to check in by themselves using a combination code.

However, in this particular case, it seems these rogue hosts have been attaching the lockboxes to their neighbour's fences in an attempt to circumvent certain restrictions and regulations. This behaviour has understandably resulted in quite a bit of frustration for the affected homeowners.

The author of the note pledges to remove any remaining lock boxes that locals allege belongs to Airbnb hosts. Source: FantasticChange7018/Reddit

One exasperated homeowner took matters into their own hands by leaving a stern note addressed to the Airbnb hosts. 'This is to notify the owners of all padlocks, chains and key boxes/safes attached to this gate. You are trespassing on private property: you do not have permission to chain your key boxes/safes to this fence,' the note reads.

The frustrated homeowner goes on to set a strict deadline: 'We will be cutting them off and removing them from this fence on the 31st of May 2023.'

But why would hosts resort to such underhanded tactics in the first place? Fellow Australians have chimed in with their thoughts on the matter. 'The South Brisbane apartment complex I was in didn't allow short stays, so some Airbnb owners would do this to get around the by-laws,' explained one Reddit user.

Another user responded: 'I'd be willing to bet the owners probably don't have body corporate approval to host Airbnbs and are doing this to get away with it. You don't chain a bunch of key safes to some random post on someone else's property unless you're pulling a dodgy.'

While some on social media have tried to offer their own creative (albeit legally questionable) solutions to the problem, such as 'encasing the lot in hard-set expanding foam' or 'gluing the locks’, we believe in resolving issues through proper channels and communication.

Common Issues Experienced by Airbnb Hosts and Guests​

This sneaky behaviour has understandably resulted in a lot of frustration for those affected, who feel they are being taken advantage of. But this isn’t an isolated incident; both Airbnb hosts and guests experience common problems that can lead to conflict.

The most frequent complaints come from homeowners who are hosting Airbnb short-term rentals on their properties. Many residents find it difficult to obtain body corporate approval, and hosting without permission can lead to potential legal issues.

Regulations and restrictions vary from state to state, while other factors such as pricing, maintenance, and screening guests can put hosts in a difficult position.

On the other side of the equation, guests can also face several problems. Airbnbs are not always well-maintained, and lack of information from rental owners is a frequent source of complaint. Issues arise when guests don’t understand the host’s instructions and can range from cleanliness to flexibility on check-in and check-out times.

With more Australians turning to Airbnb for short-term accommodation, it is important for both hosts and guests to exercise consideration and respect. Understanding the responsibilities of both parties can help prevent common issues from arising and ensure a more pleasant experience for those involved.

Key Takeaways

• Queenslanders have called out Airbnb hosts over key lock boxes attached to a fence in South Brisbane, prompting the adjoining property's owners to leave a threatening note.
• The picture of the note was posted on Reddit, blaming Airbnb hosts for attaching lock boxes to their neighbour's fence.
• Redditors suggested that the lock boxes are placed on a neighbouring fence to avoid issues with management at nearby apartment buildings that do not permit holiday accommodation.
• Other Brisbane Reddit users offered creative but legally dubious solutions to the problem, such as encasing the lock boxes in hard-set expanding foam or gluing the locks.

Considering this isolated incident involving alleged lockboxes belonging to Airbnb hosts, it serves as a valuable reminder to prioritise respect for others' property and adhere to established rules and regulations.

What steps do you take as an Airbnb guest or host to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved? Share your tips and experiences that promote courtesy, open communication, and the maintenance of property boundaries.

 

[MariaG]

Duuuh. Hardly rocket science.
Why don't they attached a key lock near their front door.
We use one so that if I'm not home, my hubby's home care provider can enter without him having to struggle to get to the front door.
You only need to know when people are coming.
Also, if we need to change to pass code, we can.
Why attach something to the front gate?
As far as body corporate legalities go. Well, if you decide to supplement your income with an Air BnB, do so within the law, otherwise, it is what it is. I get why they rent these places out, but sometimes these kind of these tend to bite one in the bum.