Wanting to try Airbnb but . . .

Warren there's a huge discussion of this topic further down on the page . . .

Neither London nor Paris are countries but both are places where the airbnb rentals can be technically illegal, and where things can change creating unpleasant consequences to not in the know renters.

Warren, there is an effort in Paris and possibly/probably others on your list to get illegal rentals into compliance, no small task. There are a few objections, one being that they generally pay no transient occupancy taxes (TOT). In Paris, as an example, there are many, many illegal rentals, but the authorities have not actually "nailed" that many owners, relatively speaking. Due diligence is on you! You've got to do your homework for a successful rental. We have used AirBnB in the states, and like it very much, but never abroad. One of the keys is lots of good, strong, credible reviews. With AirBnB, owners review guests and vice versa, a strength of the system.

Some folks would not rent an apartment they know is an illegal rental, that's up to you. However it's worth noting that you, as the renter, would not be the one doing something unlawful, that would be the owner, and you are not going to get tossed out because of that.

And, Nigel makes a good point, and it takes a bit of work to not be that guy, but there's a good payoff to not being in a hotel, imo.

I have used AirBnb in both Italy and Germany. I like the inexpensive rooms and being with local people in their homes. I learn a lot about the town/country I am in, and have become friendly with some hosts.
It is nice to sit down and have dinner/drinks with your hosts, if this is what you wish. Have never had a bad experience.

You do have to do your research and make sure they have good reviews and check for extra costs such as cleaning fees, before signing on. When you sign on, they take your credit card info, but do not charge until you actually show up. It is all handled through AirBnb website. If you have a problem, you can deal with the website, not the host.

I know there have been some issues reported on the internet, but these seem to be high end, expensive places, that are simply rented out. I stay cheap, with the people!!

They seem to be looking more at the short term apartment rentals where the owner is NOT present rather than someone who is renting out a bedroom and is present when you are there.

My husband and I tend to stay in ones where the people are present (as the above poster does). Rates are cheaper, and you may get the chance to interact with a 'local'. Our interactions have run the gamut from...here is your room, see ya later (Boston)...to one who cooked us supper and took us for a drive to a little village (in Villefranche sur Mer)) and one who picked us up at the train station and dropped us off (in Bath) and one we talked with for about 3 hours in Coarsegold (near Yosemite) after our plans got kinda scuttled because of the gov't shutdown back in 2013. Last year we did 3 that were apartments as my mom was with us and we needed to have separate sleeping arrangements (in Italy).

We've done 11 in Europe and the US, and have 3 more booked so far for this year's vacation, so you can say we are fans.

We are also couchsurfing hosts since 2007 and have stayed with couchsurfers on our travels, so we are comfortable with meeting and staying with strangers, whereas other people...not so much.

I'm sort of particular and sort of like privacy and comfort. That doesn't rule out AirBnB. Understand that AirBnB is sort of like Craigs List, it doesn't own anything and while it does provide some safeguards but it doesn't set standards for quality. To round out some of the inconsistencies I would only rent Managed Properties. I don't want to do business with Gertrude, I want to do business with a company that establishes standards, runs a real business, and lives or dies by its reputation. Many, many apartments on AirBnB are Managed. You just have to do a little research. Also know that if an apartment is on AirBnB its probably on a half dozen other listing agencies. If you aren't worried about the financial guarantees that AirBnB provides then you might get the room a little cheaper directly from the Management Company. Again, a little research will guide you there. How do I know? I am sort of in the business.

I read a lot of really positive statements here about AirBnB and the other listing agencies, but there are no bench marks so I view them accordingly. Bench marks? If hotels had no stars then a person looking for the equivalent of a 1 star would be thrilled by a bad 5 star. I wouldn't. So when Benny is thrilled with Gertrude's apartment, I have to ask myself; what was he expecting and how did it match his expectations?