How Do I Handle a Porno Shoot in My Airbnb?

One of the hosts on our Facebook group ran into a particularly sticky issue: his guests were shooting a porno in his Airbnb.

Naturally, he asked the group for advice, and the group delivered.

In this article, we’re going to review their advice on exactly what you should do in case your guest asks you if they can film a porno, a music video, a commercial, or whatever in your home.

It’s actually more common than you might think. Not all of your guests are recording pornos, of course, but if you’ve been hosting for a while, chances are you’re going to run into someone who wants to use your Airbnb as a movie set.

Before that happens, you should know your options… and your rights.

Is Someone Filming in Your Airbnb? Kick Them Out

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of someone filming a porno in your Airbnb, or filming anything, for that matter there’s a simple solution: kick them out.

According to Airbnb’s own policy, if your guests didn’t ask for permission to film, they simply aren’t allowed. Airbnb has explicitly stated in the past that “Listings should never be used for commercial purposes without a host’s permission.”

Location rates for commercial filming are invariably much, much higher than nightly stay rates for Airbnbs. That’s for a good reason. There’s equipment on every available surface. Tons of people cram into small spaces. The crew will rearrange furniture and remove curtains to play around with the set and lighting. The chances of property damage are way higher than a simple Airbnb stay, so the cost is, naturally, going to be way higher.

But, if you’re okay with someone filming in your Airbnb, even shooting a porno in your Airbnb, then here are some things you need to do.

Are You Okay With It? Then Charge Extra

If someone is going to shoot a film in your Airbnb, it should cost them a little bit more than usual, even if they don’t want to spend the night.

For the same reasons stated above, location rates for filming are higher than nightly rates. According to one film company in South Carolina, the average location fee ranges from $500 to $1k per day. That’s much higher than the average $160 price tag for a one-night stay at an Airbnb.

In order to make up for this, you should talk with the crew beforehand about the necessary paperwork and insurance, and make sure you charge them what you’re accommodation is worth.

In some cases, you might learn that someone used your Airbnb for commercial filming after it happened. Here’s what you can do.

Too Late? Keep It Under Wraps

If you find out someone shot a porno in your Airbnb after the fact, then try to keep it from getting in the newspaper.

You don’t want to become known as “that Airbnb where someone shot a porno.” No family is ever going to stay there, no matter how cheap it is.

Damage? Consider a Lawsuit

If there’s any property damage whatsoever, remember that Airbnb’s official policy is that your rental can’t be used for commercial filming. If the guests damaged your apartment in any way, not only do you have the option to try to follow up with them through Airbnb’s own reporting policies, you also can consider suing them outright.

Ultimately, if someone used your rental property as a film set without doing the proper paperwork beforehand, they’re stealing from you. They used the property for something it wasn’t meant for; against Airbnb’s official policy.

And, as we mentioned above, your city’s local ordinance likely requires pornographers to acquire a permit before filming, at the bare minimum. There’s a significantly increased risk of property damage, so you’re entitled to a significantly higher rate.

Conclusion

If someone is shooting a porno in your Airbnb, or anything else, without your permission, it’s against Airbnb’s official policy… and it’s probably illegal.

If you’re okay with it, make sure to charge extra and fill out all necessary paperwork.

If you’re not, then not only can you kick those people out of your Airbnb, but you could also sue them, based on your local ordinance.