AirBnB question in Florence

Did you book through the Airbnb website? I have 4 upcoming reservations through the Airbnb site, my first time booking through them. I have not been asked to sign any contracts. I did only choose those properties with free cancellation policies, did you as well?

Yes, I booked directly on Airbnb website. Apparently the property is managed by a company called Easy BB and that is who sent me the contract. I also only book properties that I'm able to cancel.

I'll add that the contract is pretty generic with nothing "fishy" that I see. But maybe the whole contract thing is fishy?

I’ve rented almost 35 vacation apartments, mostly in Italy, and have never been asked to sign any type of contract ever, whether it be beforehand, or on arrival.
If you are registered with Airbnb, having had them vet your ID, that should be enough I would think.
Perhaps find a different place.
It’s best to find a place where the owner or his rep will actually be there when you arrive, to give you keys and show you around.

What are the terms of the contract? Is IT cancelable up to mid October? When are you required to make your first payment? What do the reviews say about the place? I believe we signed a rental agreement when we got to our apt in Trastevere back in November.

Aren't all AirBnBs managed by a third party, whether an individual owner/host or a management company?

Not all AirBnbs are managed by a third party, but for the ones that are, it has not been unusual for us to have to sign a contract.

Have AirBnb verify this seller.

Not unusual for bed & breakfast/small hotel operators to utilize home share sites like AirBnb, Bookings.com, VRBO as another customer stream. Not sure why you're having to sign anything additional other than the agreement you have with AirBnB.

I too have stayed in dozens of Air BnBs in the last ten years (Florence included) and never have had to sign a contract but I tend to choose properties managed by actual host people as opposed to a management company.
I too would be wary. Are Air BnBs provisions not enough?

Thanks for the thoughts. I've used AirBnb many times but only in the US. That's why I asked in case was different in Europe. I have cancelled and will move on.

Since your AirBnB experience is all domestic, keep in mind when in Italy, upon arrival your host will request payment of the Occupancy/Accommodation Tax in cash, make sure they provide a receipt. In other countries this tax is separate line item in your itemized bill, however in Italy for certain municipalities, they want it collected the old school way.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2287#:~:text=Tourist%20Tax%3A%203.00%20%2D%207.00%20€,the%20Municipality%20of%20Rome%20website.

Contract? No.

Third-party management? In my world , it can be better to have a place run by professionals as opposed to Ed renting out his inheritance from dead Aunt Ethel. No guarantee either way. Read the reviews.

In case anyone is interested, this is the airbnb that I had booked, then sent me an additional lease agreement. They do in fact state in the description that you will need to sign a lease/contract prior to arrival. Anyway, I've cancelled and moved on. I have a hotel booked..... Relais Piazza Signora so all is well.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/588117597754147915?c=.pi80.pkYm9va2luZy92Ml9taWdyYXRpb24vcmVzZXJ2YXRpb25fZ3Vlc3RfY29uZmlybWF0aW9u&euid=97fa7bac-7bf2-ed18-26f9-c0d5e7b0351f&source_impression_id=p3_1707772377_dHP1HwQRTRX5prts

Ginger, I'm glad you resolved this and moved on. For those interested, there is an FAQ answer for this on the Airbnb website:

If a Host asks you to sign a contract
Some Hosts ask guests to sign contracts or rental agreements. This is so the Host can legally enforce certain rules protecting themselves and their property.
You should be made aware of this requirement before you book. The Host must prominently disclose the actual terms in their listing description. If you have questions about the contract, you can discuss it with the Host. You’re not obliged to sign anything.
If a Host tells you about an additional contract after you’ve made a booking request, you should review the contract within 48 hours of receipt of the full terms. If you are not comfortable with it, you can decline to sign it and ask your Host to cancel your reservation without a cancellation penalty.

In this case the Airbnb hosts do kind of address this under House Rules:

Additional rules
- MANDATORY TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS BEFORE ACCESSING THE HOUSE
- THE SIGNING ON THE CONTRACT IS REQUIRED BEFORE ACCESSING THE HOUSE

But, I think you made the right call moving on. We've used Airbnb for years and have never seen this; however, we also always check the host tab and do not rent from companies with multiple listings. It seems to cut down on a lot of nonsense like this (so far; knock on wood!)

That apartment looks lovely….but there is no living room!…despite the description.
You’d have to sit on the bed or a dining chair to relax in the evenings.
Good call not booking it.
It’s also on a really busy street and if you are a light sleeper….forget it.
The bells from the Dome would be nice though if you don’t mind them being so close.

That Air BnB does look lovely, no doubt, but there are nonstop crowds around the Duomo. I was in Florence last January and I was shocked at how many tourists were in the city, and it was packed around the Duomo. In January!

S J - oh my gosh how did I miss that?

Kayla.p - I'm not a big crowd person so good to know.

Now I'm rethinking my AirBnb in Bologna!