Airbnb is refusing to respond to me on this matter. Apparently short term rentals are illegal in Berlin after May 1st. I just learnt this last week. My calendar is full for May, June, July and I have bookings up till October. These are people's vacations. If I cancel, their vacation might be ruined (I'm guessing other hosts will cancel). And Airbnb penalize hosts who cancel.
I'm caught in an impossible conundrum. To let the innocent people who've booked from me continue with their bookings and risk a huge fine? Or cancel them and lose not just my livelihood (and that of my Berlin caretaker, who has a little boy too look after) but also be penalized for it?
Why is Airbnb being so obtuse about this? Why aren't they offering appropriate support?
This truly feels like the 'wild west' of unregulated, decentralized commerce: nobody in charge, nobody accountable.