apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like the idea of it if I had a spare room, but I'm just full of questions. what about liability? what if they break something? what if they steal something (seems like a great resource for burglars)? what if they hurt themselves? what if they're creepy or really dirty? do you take some sort of 'security deposit' since you can't take their credit card number?

I'd love to just be able to meet some interesting people, but I think I'd be really nervous? has anyone done this?

I live in UT and think this would be a great idea during SunDance (film festival season) for making a few extra bucks. But I wouldn't want to leave keys with a stranger.

what if's will suck away all your hopes and dreams.

No, never. I am happy to travel around the world on my own and have done so (I've lived in a dozen countries at last count) but there is no way I would rent out a room to a total stranger or stay in a total stranger's home. I like the freedom of a hotel room.

And, no, I don't feel that I need to stay with someone to get a feel for what the locals do or so that I can regale my friends with tales of visiting places off the tourist track and how I got a feel for the 'real' city / country.

What a dangerous idea. How desperate is anyone for money to take a total stranger into their homes like that, unless one has the opportunity to pre-screen and check references.

It seems like an interesting idea...but I doubt most would trust keys to strangers. I would leave our place open for anyone I know or friends of friends - but not to a total stranger. It's not about what-ifs - it's about my safety.

I don't think there is any desperation involved in renting out a room in one's home... People all over Europe have been doing this for years and on a recent trip to Berlin I had the privilege to stay at a wonderful flat for 25 euro a night, had access to her kitchen to cook and the laundry facilities as well. A lot of people in bigger European cities are doing this kind of thing, especially home owners who are trying to pay off their mortgages as quickly as possible. Of course this is not for everyone, but I think if you are motivated to do it why not. Cutting the ridiculous costs of traveling in half by offering a nice place to sleep not only helps individuals economically but makes the traveling experience fun and invent as opposed to a rip off.

Wow, I just spent the last 30 mins browsing through listings. Personally I would rather host someone through a service like this who pays ahead of time with their credit card than someone who shows up with cash or check from craigslist (or nothing at all, ala couchsurfing).

At least that way things are tracked along with reviewed profiles of people. Price wise, I'm amazed by the cheap options in a city as expensive as New York. I usually default to a hotel, however I'm now more open to money saving ideas such as renting a spare bedroom.

It's clearly not for everybody, but it's for somebody. The global locations are all over the map - http://airbedandbreakfast.com/home/coverage

I prefer to travel this way (as opposed to hotels). I think I would be open to hosting a traveler or swapping vacation spots.

as a budget-traveler I looove this idea! I used a similar service when vacationing in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Had an entire 1-bedroom apt by the beach to ourselves for a fraction of what a hotel room in that area would have cost us. I would ABSOLUTELY do this next time I travel!

I guess I get it if the person was renting out the whole place (like a second home or something) - but some of these people take people in like roommates for the night. I would sleep with a knife under my pillow in this situation. You have to be insane to trust some stranger with a key to your place - how don't you know they won't hand it out to the first person they see in a bar?