When unforeseen and exceptional circumstances arise, travelers or Airbnb hosts may be faced with situations that require them to cancel a reservation. In such cases, the "force majeure" clause can be invoked to allow cancellations without financial penalties. In this article, we'll explore what "force majeure" is on Airbnb, the situations that can be considered force majeure, and the rights and responsibilities of travelers and hosts when faced with such situations.
- Understanding the "Force Majeure" clause on Airbnb
Force majeure" is a legal clause that releases the parties to a contract from their obligations in the event of exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances beyond their control. On Airbnb, this clause allows travelers or hosts to cancel a reservation without incurring cancellation fees due to extraordinary circumstances.
- Situations that may be considered force majeure
Situations that may be considered force majeure on Airbnb include, but are not limited to:
- Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.
- Political events or armed conflicts leading to travel restrictions.
- Pandemics or serious epidemics, as we saw with COVID-19.
- Massive strikes or social movements affecting transport or security.
- Death or serious illness of a traveler or guest.
It is essential to note that "force majeure" does not generally apply to foreseeable situations or cancellations resulting from the personal choices of travelers or hosts.
- The rights of travellers and guests in the event of "force majeure
When a "force majeure" situation occurs, travelers and guests have specific rights:
- Travelers: Travelers may cancel their reservations without incurring cancellation fees if the situation preventing them from traveling is considered "force majeure". They may be eligible for a full or partial refund of the reservation fee, depending on the circumstances.
- Hosts: If a host is faced with a "force majeure" situation that prevents it from receiving travelers, it may cancel reservations without financial penalties. Airbnb recommends that hosts and travelers communicate directly to find an alternative solution in such cases.
- Taking precautions to deal with cases of "force majeure
To deal with cases of "force majeure", travelers and hosts can take precautions such as purchasing travel insurance or Airbnb host insurance that covers cancellations for specific reasons.
The "force majeure" clause on Airbnb offers protection to travelers and hosts when faced with unforeseeable and exceptional circumstances that prevent them from fulfilling their contractual obligations. Understanding your rights and responsibilities in the event of "force majeure" is essential to navigating difficult situations fairly and transparently. Airbnb encourages open communication between travelers and hosts to find mutually satisfactory solutions when cases of "force majeure" arise.
