Airbnbs aren’t what they used to be. The neighborly places to stay of old have been replaced by profit machines jam-packed with hidden fees, and wealthy multi-property owners crashing the rental market. Therefore, I see no problem with guests bending an Airbnb’s rules every now and then, within reason. But maybe don’t brag about it on social media?


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That’s what Julia Chesson and her friends did when their original reservation of six people ballooned with some last-second additions. “When the Airbnb asks if there are still only six people at your reservation,” the video’s caption says before 14 young people dance through the shot. The video blew up and now sits at 35.5 million views on TikTok.



A few days later, Basicsuburbanmom made a video claiming to be the property owner, responding to Julia’s clip. “You didn’t think I was going to see this did you?” she said. “Well, I see everything. I’ve got that place covered in ring cameras ok?” Between the two videos, viewers were split on who’s side to take.


“Exactly why people aren't using air bnb anymore,” one person said. “Literally, my biggest fear of using Airbnb is having the host watch me the entire weekend.” But others were critical of the guests’ infractions. “That was more than double the number of people that were supposed to be there,” one person remarked. “Why are people getting so mad, it’s her home, her rules.”





Basicsuburban’s mom is a TikTok comedian named Julia with almost 500 thousand followers and is not really the owner of the Airbnb. Despite her sarcastic tone, many people were unable to pick up on the purpose of her videos and continued to criticize her hosting skills. “Holy ef… do you guys know she’s being satirical?” one viewer commented. Eventually, Julia Chesson was forced to make a follow-up video exposing the bit.



“I feel silly having to reply to this TikTok,” she said. “I get it, you’re trying to make a funny TikTok, but please don’t lie to your half a million followers like that about a person you don’t even know.” She goes on to say that she understands the backlash, and is sorry. “I learned my lesson. I know there were too many people because we ran out of toilet paper.”


Airbnb has a clause that says cameras are allowed in all common areas. This includes essentially anything that isn’t a private bedroom or bathroom.


Holy ef… do you guys know she’s being satirical?