Uh, it's not the amount of familiarity that is the factor here. The main factor to think about is the distance people are shitting from where they sleep. Your neighbors may be strangers, but they have more incentive to be on good terms with their landlord for many, many legal reasons that their subleasers do not. They also have personal reasons to not screw things up too much with their neighbors, reasons which are ephemeral for their renters.

Yes yes, you might say, that's why your neighbors have an incentive to only rent to the best. And I agree. Funny how things slip when third parties are involved though, best intentions be damned.

Note: I've only had good experiences with Airbnb (and Craigslist, for that matter)...I just think your reasoning doesn't quite address the issues here.