Why has my Airbnb Host Given a different address than what is listed?

Well here are 3 possible reasons

So should be worried?

If the host has good or great reviews and you confirm the cross streets or a nearby landmark that works for your trip, you’ll be fine. Just make sure you receive the check-in details but here is three reasons and how to keep safe.

Local Restrictions

Some municipalities don’t take kindly to Airbnb hosts using there additional homes as Short Term Rentals due to housing shortages or because they’ve run out of permits for new operators. Sometimes, if a property is close enough to an area that doesn’t require permits or have an Airbnb ban, hosts may list it using an address that technically falls outside of the restricted zone or may not fully exist within it. If the host has five-star reviews, there’s usually some mention of the address being different in the reviews. In those cases, just ask for the nearest cross streets or how far the property is (in terms of travel time) from where you want to stay and it'll be fine, obviously if they have more the one terrible review move on and find another host that has good reviews it wont be very hard.

Privacy Reasons

Hosts can be nervous about strangers staying in their homes, go figure. Many are already on the fence about renting out their personal residences or even their additional properties. Because of this, some may use a different address or simply list the property in a general area. As a rule of thumb, if they have good or great reviews, you’re likely going to be fine staying.

Scam Risk

If a host has an account with no listings and no reviews or worse, just one listing with terrible reviews about guests being sent to seedy motels instead of the property in the photos that’s a huge red flag, and you’ll want to avoid that listing at all costs, its not a home owner or company trying to offer legitimate short term housing who is being secretive about the address for the reasons listed above (Privacy - Avoiding Local Restrictions), its someone being dishonest maliciously.

On the other hand, if you see they have one listing with one or two five-star reviews, you can take a chance and see if it works out. Worst-case scenario, you can call Airbnb, and they’ll refund you right away and sometimes even help you find another place to stay.