Is It Standard Practice to Give Airbnb Host your ID
The short answer your question is no. Most Airbnb hosts rely on Airbnb to provide a background check on their guests, but they do have the option to implement additional screening measures if they feel it's necessary. This is congruent with Airbnb's policies.
Why is the host requiring my ID?
The reason for this is because Airbnb cannot know for sure who is actually booking and staying in a Host's property. From the perspective of the host, it's prudent to know who is staying in our property for a number of reasons.
- What if the guest has a medical emergency? Knowing who they are can help coordinate with authorities.
- What if the person who booked the Airbnb isn't the person actually staying in the Airbnb? This has happened countless times. See this post here.
- What if the person damages the property? In case of any damage to our property or disputes over reservations, having a verified ID by the host can provide crucial evidence, especially if the booking was fraudulent to begin with.
- Depending on the city, some local regulations require hosts to collect and verify the identity of their guests. Being in compliance is important.
- Reducing potential scams hosts face. There are an enumerable amount of scams hosts face. Asking for an ID is the first line of defense a host can implement.
Should I provide my ID of find another host?
From a common-sense perspective, anyone inviting someone else into their home to stay is going to want to know how to track that person down if something is amiss. It's like letting a stranger borrow your favorite pair of shoes; you’d at least want to make sure they’re the right size and not about to go on a mud run in them.
So, should you provide your ID or find another host? That depends on how comfortable you are with the level of transparency required. If you're okay with sharing your ID and trust the host to handle it securely, then there's no harm in complying. After all, it’s a small price to pay for a safe and smooth stay.
However, if you’re uncomfortable or have concerns about privacy, you can always look for hosts who don’t require this additional step. Just be aware that you might find fewer options, as more hosts are leaning towards extra security measures in today’s world.