While some travelers prefer to use platforms like Airbnb that offer a big range of accommodation options, interpersonal connection and cultural immersion, there can be issues that impact the experience. Airbnb offers many benefits to travelers who want to have flexible accommodation options. However, there can be complications to stays that are booked through Airbnb, like the situation that occurred with Elizabeth Hirschhorn.
The infamous Airbnb squatter, Elizabeth Hirschhorn, set the precedent for a Airbnb host’s nightmare guest. The Los Angeles guesthouse that Hirschhorn squatted in is located in Brentwood, California and is undoubtedly a California paradise. The 3.8 million dollar mansion is a 2,954 square foot home with two bedrooms and four bedrooms, which Hirschhorn stayed in for over a year.
Here are the details of the difficult Airbnb experience, which turned into an intense legal dispute.
The Airbnb Controversy
The Airbnb tenant, Hirschhorn, moved into the property as of September 2021. But upon the tenant agreement being debated, she refused to leave the property. The initial agreement was a long term lease of six months with a $105 nightly rental fee, but it was agreed upon outside of the Airbnb platform. So, in February of 2022, when the landlord (Sascha Jovanovic) discovered water damage on the property, an issue began.
Hirschhorn refused to allow the landlord in the property to make repairs, so he resolved to extend her stay through April. At this point, she stopped paying the rent at the property and said that health complications (and tenant rights) were to blame. After the landlord offered Hirschhorn a two-week free stay extension to acquire different lodging, she just never left. She had not paid rent there in over a year, obviously against her landlord’s wishes.
Due to the tenant and landlords agreement off of Airbnb’s platform, the legal battle was considered a third party matter which extended the difficult proceedings. But after probing from the long legal battle between Hirschhorn and the landlord, she finally left the property on November 3rd, 2023 after 575 days in the luxury Airbnb rental.
Who is Elizabeth Hirschhorn?
Elizabeth Hirschhorn is a serial squatter and writer. She wrote for some reality television sitcoms, but most of her footprint is full of court cases similar to the Brentwood property. In fact, just two months before her move into the Brentwood home, she lived in a high-end ($2.6 million) Oakland property for more than a year rent-free. She refused to pay and utilized COVID health regulations and concerns to justify her staying. So, as it seems, Hirschhorn has time and time again abused accommodation agreements.
Airbnb’s Policies
Airbnb offers some forms of protection against potential squatters, although guests who refuse to leave are pretty rare. The host guarantee and protection policies are in place as corporate support. However, because the agreement occurred off of Airbnb’s platform, not much could be done to resolve the issue simply. Potential hosts and guests should ensure they book any stays on the Airbnb platform. It is also advisable that guests keep communication on the platform, where they can access and reference the messages between them and the host.