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Terry_1
Guest
What is the morality of Catholics using their home as an Air B&B? My husband would like to do this, but I would appreciate some advice.
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TK421
Guest
Run an honest business. Dont violate privacy. The basic stuff.
What specifically was concerning you?
What specifically was concerning you?
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Rhubarb
Guest
I think if it’s your own home, shouldn’t be a problem.
My only ethical beef with AirBnB is when it drives up housing costs due to people buying property
My only ethical beef with AirBnB is when it drives up housing costs due to people buying property
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Terry_1
Guest
Thank you Rhubarb. My concern is we have no control over who will be using the house, and it will be used by unmarried couples etc.
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Rhubarb
Guest
That will likely be the case. And refusing them is a good way to get your AirBnB status removed. Or potentially worse.
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EZweber
Guest
Don’t think that would work either. There are a lot of Catholics who don’t submit to the Church’s authority. For example, Andrew Cuomo.
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Wozza
Guest
Good point. I think Terry should give it a miss.Wozza:
Don’t think that would work either. There are a lot of Catholics who don’t submit to the Church’s authority. For example, Andrew Cuomo.
blackforest
Well-known member
This thread reminds me of an episode of Fawlty Towers, when the innkeeper, Basil Fawlty, gets so obsessed with policing a unmarried couple’s morals that he comes up with pretenses to break into their room at random times . . . each time failing with hilarious results.
Every profession is going to have to deal with non-Catholics and non-Catholic morals, even (perhaps especially) a Catholic priest! Unless you’re planning to screen everybody with an application, (“What payment method will you be using? How many nights are you staying? Do you uphold all of the teachings of the Magisterium?”), you’re going to have to let go a little . . .
Every profession is going to have to deal with non-Catholics and non-Catholic morals, even (perhaps especially) a Catholic priest! Unless you’re planning to screen everybody with an application, (“What payment method will you be using? How many nights are you staying? Do you uphold all of the teachings of the Magisterium?”), you’re going to have to let go a little . . .
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meltzerboy2
Guest
Maybe you would need a sign that says “Practicing Catholic in EVERY Detail.” Of course that would drastically cut down on customers, besides being a rather long message on a sign, and giving the impression the B&B is more of a church.
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Wesrock
Guest
As an innkeeper, there’s only so much you can do. It’s not like you’re marketing it as a brothel or for premarital couples.
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Wozza
Guest
Pontiffs only?
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Daisy
Guest
It is not part of your business to know the personal actions of your clients, nor is it morally required of you to find it out. THerefore, unless it is blatantly told to you that they will be carrying on with a sinful action with the use of your bed, then you do not have any culpability. If it is blatantly expressed to you, then I think you do have a moral responsibility not to aid in the sin by providing them with a bed. And you have every right to express and practice your personal beliefs, so be prepared for this. I think it might be good to have a priest bless the space and put a crucifix in the house or room, and perhaps an image of Mary somewhere.
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Wozza
Guest
This is not an exorcism. The person wants to rent a room for heaven’s sake. Really, what is the problem?
This is no different from asking about the type of hotels you might book yourself. Or which printer you might use. Or what take-away pizza company you should consider.
Going through life worrying about every interaction that you have with society will drive you insane.
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Daisy
Guest
My goodness! Blessing a room is a simple practice that does no harm to the people that use the room, let’s not go overboard, here! I don’t understand if I had a problem? Did you read the beginning of my post?
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1ke
Guest
Why do you believe this is a moral issue at all?
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phil19034
Guest
If you don’t want people committing sexual sins in your house, then don’t run an AirBnB. Now, if this is a house you really don’t live in (except a few weeks a year) and it’s more of an investment property, then I don’t really think you are guilty when people use a room to commit sin.
However, if this the house you live in or you spend a significant amount of time in, I could understand why you wouldn’t want sexual sin.
However, if you do rent it out, you could alway bring sprinkle holy water every time you go there.
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phil19034
Guest
I like this!
@Terry_1 if you really are concerned about sexual sin in your home, one other thing you could do is “Catholic up” the house and advertise it as a great escape destination for practicing Catholics.
If you did that, I’m sure you could find Catholic Homeschool groups, parishes, etc that you could advertise with. Esp. if you home is in a very desirable location.
God bless
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ZMystiCat
Guest
I’m actually wondering if there is much Airbnb can do about this.
They could limit the number of homes you have up within a certain geographic region, but that doesn’t address those who have a home and buy a second one for renting out. For that, though, they could treat your home address as one of the properties, whether listed or not, but I can see people just labelling the rental as their home property and not reporting their actual residence.
There could be a regulation on how long one needs to own a home before putting it up on Airbnb, but if the Bay Area is any indication, there are people who are willing to put millions of dollars down on a home that they then leave vacant for an indefinite amount of time. It’s possible investors may not be deterred.
They could of course remove allowing people to rent out houses and only allow rooms, but that removes some of the appeal, especially for families with younger children.
I’m absolutely positive that this would go against Airbnb’s terms.
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Annie
Guest
Are you concerned about your culpability if people rent your home and sin in it?
You would not be responsible for that. You are making a fair exchange: money for use of your home for a certain amount of time. What they do there, as long as they don’t destroy anything, is up to them.
You would not be responsible for that. You are making a fair exchange: money for use of your home for a certain amount of time. What they do there, as long as they don’t destroy anything, is up to them.
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