You list amenities. Then the platform asks guests "does this listing have a stove, does it have a carbon monoxyde detector", etc. Then the platform query the host "guests have mentioned you have a stove, is it correct?". I just got such a confirmation request on our listing today.
> does this listing have a stove
Guest: Well yes but it doesn't work. Or, well yes but the flame shut off after 2 minutes
AirBnB: Sucks to be you but it has a stove so not a lie
> does this listing have wifi
Well yes but they say it's only got 1meg data so it will run out in probably 2 days and we booked the place for a month.
AirBnb: Sucks to be you but it has wifi so not a lie
> does this listing have 3 bedrooms
Well, it's got 3 rooms, a bedroom, a living room with a bed in it and a kitchen with a bed in it.
AirBnB: Bed in room = bedroom so yes it's got 3 bedrooms. Sucks to be you but not a lie
etc... The second 2 are actual AirBnB experiences.
There may be a few rare localities that require it, but it's not normally required.
Rather the definition requires a certain size of the room.
In Europe though, where armoires are a thing, and I actually can’t remember living in any home that had a closet in any room with a bed, I don’t see closet being in the definition.
I keep seeing rumors that there are localities that require a closet, but no one ever actually names them.
It may be a persistent rumor in your locality as well.
> Fittingly, property assessors will follow the same bedroom definition when determining the number of bedrooms in a given home—that is, it must have a door, a closet, and an egress window. It is in the interest of homeowners, sellers, and buyers to know the subtle bedroom definition differences between the safety/builder perspective and the real estate/home value perspective, and to know one’s state and local guidelines for determining what can and cannot be considered a bedroom.
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/406-what-makes-a-room-a-bed...
> room can be considered a bedroom if it contains a closet, alcove, indentation or wing wall which creates an area greater than 12 inches in depth.
https://www.sanbruno.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?...
> is capable of being used for sleeping quarters that contains a closet, or to which a closet could be added, may also be considered a bedroom.
In continental Europe, where armoires are a thing, I actually can’t remember living in any home that had a closet in any room with a bed, so I can’t see closet being in the definition of bedroom.
On the contrary, you were discussing Europe specifically, and, you didn’t italicize you think, you wrote certainly:
>> ”In many places (e.g. in Europe) there is no standard definition of bedroom at all.”
> “I would be very surprised if that was the case. It's certainly not in the US or UK.”
You’re defending your second sentence, but the assertion I’m replying to is your reaction on Europe in the first one.
Remember AirBnB is worldwide and most of the world’s homes are the continental armoire model not US/UK closet model.
Now courts are not stupid. In such cases 'bedroom' would take the meaning that is generally understood. A kitchen or living room with beds in them are not understood to be 'bedrooms' if you ask someone at random, and thus advertising "3 bedrooms" when in fact there is only one with beds in the kitchen and living room would most likely be deemed misleading and false advertising.
Here's some information on NY: https://www.hauseit.com/legal-bedroom-requirements-nyc/
> For a bedroom to be considered legal in NYC, it must satisfy the following requirements:
> Be a minimum of 80 square feet
> Have a minimum width of 8 feet in any dimension
> Have a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet
> At least one window measuring no less than twelve square feet
> There cannot be a need to pass through any other bedroom in order to access the bedroom
> Two means of egress, including a window and a door that can be opened from the inside
Though I did read in NY there is no storage requirements.
Likewise, stating that the property has a stove implies that it is in working order.
Now, I have no doubt that AirBnb might try to fob people off if they complain but that does not mean that they would be correct or even honest in doing so.
But your choices are either:
1 - pick a fight at 10pm, probably fuck around with AirBnB's shit customer support, maybe if lucky get to sleep at an alternate place by 1 or 2 am, then feel like utter garbage for the next 3 days;
2 - deal (with the implied: no more airbnb on business trips...)