A significant vacationer vacation spot in Malaysia simply banned Airbnb. After a cockroach-infested expertise I had there, I'm not unhappy to see it go.

• I lately stayed in a cockroach-infested Airbnb in Penang, a state in northern Malaysia.
• In Might, the state banned short-term leases, together with ones listed on Airbnb.
• “Housing areas are for residents. In case you are holidaying, go to a lodge,” a neighborhood authorities official mentioned.

After a horrible expertise at an Airbnb in Penang, a state in northern Malaysia, I vowed to by no means ebook on the homestay rental platform once more. Now, Penang has referred to as it quits with Airbnb too — and has banned short-term leases altogether, in response to a report by Free Malaysia In the present day, citing the Penang Island Metropolis Council.

In February, my pals and I booked an condo in Penang that was listed on a number of platforms, together with Airbnb and Reserving.com. It price simply 1,010 Malaysian ringgit or $220 for 2 nights and appeared gorgeous within the marketed photographs on-line, with a beautiful view of the ocean.

However we by no means acquired to see it in individual. An hour after we have been scheduled to test in, the host relocated us to a different rental in a unique a part of city. We ended up spending our weekend in an eerie condo that is positioned proper subsequent to a hospital. The nail within the coffin was the cockroaches we noticed scurrying across the place. Fortunately, we acquired a refund.

Simply 4 months later, on Might 25, Penang banned short-term lets, together with ones listed on-line on Airbnb, Agoda, and Reserving.com — however on this case, cockroaches weren’t the pests. The state authorities mentioned it is on account of vacationers inflicting an excessive amount of hassle in residential areas, which has led to dozens of complaints from locals.

“Whether or not folks prefer it or not, we will likely be agency on this. Housing areas are for residents. In case you are holidaying, go to a lodge,” Jagdeep Singh Deo, a member of Penang’s State Govt Council, advised Free Malaysia In the present day in April. Singh didn’t instantly reply to Insider’s request for remark.

Now, short-term leases are restricted to serviced residences and particular business areas. Company are allowed to lease a government-approved unit for a most of three days at a time and for less than 180 days a 12 months. And if you happen to flout these guidelines, you may get fined 200 ringgit or $44 — a slap on the wrist for a lot of holidayers, actually.

Airbnb is pushing again in opposition to the ban, and argues on its web site that these guidelines will “closely prohibit the flexibility of Malaysians to share their dwelling in strata buildings, and scale back the number of inexpensive lodging choices for home and worldwide vacationers.” Airbnb didn’t instantly reply to Insider’s request for remark.

Whereas many Airbnb hosts say that the ban is “extraordinarily painful,” some native residents are rejoicing. 

“There have been occasions when at the very least 20 folks have stayed, their vehicles blocking our driveway. They have been impolite, throwing balls over the fence, loud,” Tatiana Breger, who lives in Penang, advised The South China Morning Put up, including that she agrees with the federal government’s ban.

Whereas some vacationers would possibly lament the ban, I am not one in every of them — I am glad to return to reserving resorts the place I am assured to get the room I paid for.