PSA for people with Airbnb bookings in Korea

[twocupcakes]

Recently, the Korean government has been cracking down on illegal lodging businesses. And because most Airbnb hosts aren't registered as lodging businesses, it looks like a lot of them will be shut down. Also, some buildings are designated commercial property and can't legally operate as residential accommodation. This could affect 70% of Airbnb hosts in Korea.
There are further regulations about home-sharing that require the host to stay with the guest in the same house, so you likely won't be able to book whole apartments for yourself either.

Airbnb is cooperating with the government and is giving hosts until November 15 to register their properties with the government, or risk having their accounts deleted. If you have an Airbnb booking before that date, you probably won't have any problems. If you've booked a stay for after November 15, you might want to check with your host to see if this will affect you.

 

[gantz]

Thank you for sharing. Could you also provide the source?

 

[jnoseye]

twocupcakes said: ↑

Recently, the Korean government has been cracking down on illegal lodging businesses. And because most Airbnb hosts aren't registered as lodging businesses, it looks like a lot of them will be shut down. Also, some buildings are designated commercial property and can't legally operate as residential accommodation. This could affect 70% of Airbnb hosts in Korea.
There are further regulations about home-sharing that require the host to stay with the guest in the same house, so you likely won't be able to book whole apartments for yourself either.

Airbnb is cooperating with the government and is giving hosts until November 15 to register their properties with the government, or risk having their accounts deleted. If you have an Airbnb booking before that date, you probably won't have any problems. If you've booked a stay for after November 15, you might want to check with your host to see if this will affect you.

Click to expand...

What happen to them, who booked a stay for after November 15?

 

[twocupcakes]

Gantz said: ↑

Thank you for sharing. Could you also provide the source?

Click to expand...

Oh, the red text is a hyperlink! Or this will do~ http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3025231

jnoseye said: ↑

What happen to them, who booked a stay for after November 15?

Click to expand...

Not really sure. If the hosts have registered their properties before that date, then there should be no problem. Otherwise, Airbnb will cancel their accounts, and presumably also their bookings. It's probably best to check with the host directly.

 

[sunflower_16]

Thank you for alerting us about AirBnB taking down illegal listings. It's too bad this is happening... Looks like places near Gangnam are already being impacted as some listings are being modified probably to get around the government regulations like increasing the minimum stay to 3+ months. I also found Forbes article on this topic:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/elaineramirez/2016/10/24/airbnb-could-wipe-out-70-of-its-south-korea-listings-by-next-month/#6dd6f1ca6efb