Airbnb Squatters: A Growing Risk for Hosts — What Visit Mundus Partners Need to Know

Table of content:

• What Is Airbnb Squatting?

• Why This Matters to Hosts

• Real-World Examples

• Why Platforms Don’t Always Help

• Prevention Strategies for Visit Mundus Hosts

• Final Thoughts

As short-term rentals continue to grow in popularity, a troubling phenomenon is emerging across global hospitality platforms: Airbnb squatters — guests who refuse to leave after their reservation ends and exploit legal loopholes to remain in the property.

While this issue first gained traction in the United States, it is now appearing in European markets, including Slovenia, where legal protections for hosts remain limited.

This article outlines the nature of the threat, its legal implications, and practical steps Visit Mundus partners can take to protect their properties, reputations, and revenue.

What Is Airbnb Squatters?

Airbnb squatting occurs when a guest stays beyond the agreed reservation period and refuses to vacate the property. In some jurisdictions, guests who stay longer than 30 days may acquire tenant rights, making eviction a complex and costly legal process.

Squatters may:

• Claim they are tenants under local housing laws

• Refuse to leave unless legally evicted

• Change locks or disable access

• Demand additional services or compensation

• Cause property damage or reputational harm

Why This Matters to Hosts

Although Slovenia has not yet seen widespread squatting cases, the legal framework is vulnerable:

• No clear legal distinction between short-term guests and tenants in extended stays

• Eviction procedures are slow and require court intervention

• New legislation (2025) introduces stricter controls on short-term rentals, but does not yet address squatting directly

  
  

Visit Mundus partners must be proactive — prevention is far more effective than legal recovery.

Real-World Examples

• In California, a guest booked a 30-day stay and refused to leave, citing tenant rights. The host spent 3 months and over $10,000 in legal fees to evict them.

• In Paris, a Booking.com guest extended their stay informally and later claimed tenancy, forcing the host into a legal dispute.

• In Croatia, a host reported a guest who refused to leave, citing “medical reasons” and demanding free accommodation — the platform declined to intervene.

These cases are no longer isolated. They reflect a growing pattern of platform-enabled abuse.

Why Platforms Don’t Always Help

Airbnb and Booking.com often do not intervene in squatting cases, citing:

• Their role as intermediaries, not legal enforcers

• Local laws that override platform policies

• Lack of formal rental contracts between host and guest

In most cases, hosts are advised to seek legal counsel, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Prevention Strategies for Visit Mundus Hosts

Here’s a strategic checklist to help partners protect their properties:

1. Limit Stay Duration

• Keep bookings under 28 days to avoid triggering tenant protections.

• For longer stays, use a separate rental agreement outside the platform.

2. Use a Legally Binding Agreement

• Draft a temporary accommodation contract for stays over 14 days.

• Include clauses on:

  • Duration and termination

  • No tenancy rights

  • Immediate removal upon breach

3. Verify Guest Identity

• Require government-issued ID before check-in.

• Use platforms that support identity verification (Airbnb offers this Booking.com does not by default).

4. Include Legal Notices in House Rules

To proactively prevent squatting and clarify the legal status of guests, Visit Mundus partners should include a clear legal clause in their house rules, booking confirmations, and any direct communication with guests.

🔒 Recommended Clause (English)

Legal Status of Stay   This accommodation is offered strictly as a short-term stay under hospitality terms. Guests do not acquire tenant rights under (your country law).

The reservation is valid only for the agreed period, and any unauthorized extension will be considered trespassing. The host reserves the right to deny access or request removal if the guest remains beyond the reservation without written consent.

Legal action may be taken in accordance with local regulations. This clause should be placed:

• In the house rules section of your listing

• In booking confirmation emails or messages

• On printed materials inside the property (e.g., welcome folder or QR code signage)

• In contracts for longer stays (14+ days)

5. Monitor Behavior During Stay

• Communicate proactively:

  • Confirm departure date mid-stay

  • Ask about onward travel plans

  • Flag unusual behavior (e.g., refusal to communicate)

6. Secure Your Property

• Use smart locks with remote access control

• Install security cameras in common areas (where legally permitted)

• Keep a local contact or property manager on standby

7. Insure Against Legal and Property Risks

• Consider landlord insurance that covers:

  • Legal fees

  • Property damage

  • Loss of income due to squatting

Final Thoughts

Squatting is a symptom of a larger issue: platforms that prioritize volume over host protection.

As a Visit Mundus partner, you’re part of a network that values trust, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

By implementing these strategies, you protect not only your property — but the integrity of your business.