|
Post by High Priestess on Nov 29, 2016 17:50:01 GMT
See the story: www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/29/airbnb-denies-liability-after-guests-plunge-two-storeys-from-balconyI can't blame Airbnb for denying responsibility. I don't see this as their responsibility. Airbnb can't possibly take responsibility for everything that happens at millions of listings around the world. This kind of incident is what insurance is for. I can see Airbnb taking responsibility for malicious or negligent acts of a guest (eg a criminal guest) or a host, or taking responsibility in the form of giving a refund for a stay that didn't work out. But no, Airbnb is not responsible for any particular building or balcony being structurally sound -- and as far as that goes, even generally structurally sound buildings can have balcony issues. This is known to the city of Berkeley after a tragic balcony collapse in that city. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_balcony_collapse
|
|
|
Post by helgaparis on Nov 30, 2016 18:35:40 GMT
A balcony falls if there are too many people, if they are rhythmically stomping or jumping or if the building is flawed. The insurances will sort that out. We had such a case recently in France, pretty new building, huge terraces and smaller balconies. A student's' party, maybe house warming, the 3rd floor terrace broke off and cut the two underneath straight off. They had deads there. It looked like structural damage by water infiltration and the metal support beams too slim and not far enough into the wall. The balcony seemed like an afterthought, glued onto the wall like a bird's nest. It may take years to sort that out. I don't see either how airbnb could be liable. At the end, it may be the architect's fault or the builder used cheaper material and will file for bankruptcy when the bill is presented. The landlords probably did not hang a balcony under their window during the night, (my husband did that once) but trusted a company, got permits etc. There is no intent and probably no negligence between the contract parties of the trip. A horror experience for the guests, but like a rail catastrophe, unpredictable.
|
|