Chief Operating Officer, Ian Dunn, has provided an update on University colleagues’ use of Airbnb:
“There has been quite a bit of communication in the last few months concerning the allowable use of Airbnb or other unregulated accommodation on University business. I thought it might be helpful to clarify our position.
The University absolutely supports the very positive intent of all staff to spend money wisely, and the use of Airbnb could be seen as a real demonstration of this.
Unfortunately, there are two very serious implications of staff using unregulated accommodation. Firstly, there is a significant potential health and safety risk of injury – or worse – through being in a building with, potentially, poor or non-existent fire safety precautions, unsafe construction, or with physical security defects. Secondly, the University’s travel insurance does not cover staff use of unregulated accommodation on University business. We do consider the duty of care we have for staff very seriously and safety, well-being, financial and legal exposure, as a consequence of unregulated travel arrangements, clearly falls within this duty of care.
Staff safety and well-being is our prime concern, but the issue of no liability insurance cover for use of unregulated accommodation is also very serious. This means that, whilst in such accommodation, if you are injured, or you injure another person (however inadvertently) or if damage is caused to the property (or reported as having happened and charged for), you – the individual – are likely to be held personally liable for possible damages, costs and legal defence charges. In the event of significant injury or major property damage such penalties and legal costs could be financially crippling.
It therefore remains the University’s position that we cannot support the use of unregulated accommodation; and, with the exception given below, it cannot be signed off by line management as part of a risk assessment. Use of Airbnb or other similar unregulated accommodation channels/providers will not be reimbursed by the University under any normal circumstances however paid for, and from whatever funding source.
This does not include situations where individuals might pay for accommodation from their personal resources and will not be claiming back costs from the University or University funders, even if on University related business. In such cases, which are rare, the risk assessment sign-off by line management must demonstrate that the individual has undertaken a risk assessment of their accommodation and also independently purchased appropriate insurance cover for their accommodation type. If there is any element of University funding or insurance requirement covering such a self-funded business trip (or trip extensions for example) then use of unregulated accommodation is again not supported for the reasons given above.
I give you my assurance we will continue to have discussions with our insurers on renewal. This is a fast growing sector and it is probable that over time either the nature of insurance cover may change, or indeed as we are seeing in some cities, the extent of regulation will increase. I can report however, based on our conversations across the sector, that there appears to be a progressive ‘hardening’ of insurance positions and most other institutions are taking the same approach as us.
For the avoidance of doubt therefore and until advised otherwise, use of Airbnb by University staff or students, or when using any funds that flow through University finances on behalf of others, is not permitted.”
