Lawsuit Accuses Airbnb of Cheating Hosts, Guests in Wake of COVID-19 Cancellations

SAN FRANCISCO — A Texas man has filed a putative class action against Airbnb, accusing the online vacation property rental company of refusing to issue guests refunds for COVID-19-related cancellations, and denying compensation to hosts for such cancellations.

In a Nov. 11 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California plaintiff Anthony Farmer, who had been a host with Airbnb for three years, says the company owes him $655 from canceled reservations. He says the company has changed its Terms of Service to authorize similar conduct in the future.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the …