Airbnb opens up a complaint center for neighbors to report problem guests

Airbnb is beloved by many travelers for providing low-cost lodging in neighborhoods around the world — and is hated by many neighbors for creating disturbances next door. In a move toward improving its standing in some of those neighborhoods, Airbnb today announced Airbnb Neighbors — a place for people who live near Airbnb listings to report noise and other disturbances caused by guests.

Starting today, neighbors can visit airbnb.com/neighbors and choose from one of four categories in which to file a report: noise and parties; an issue with a common space, such as parking or trash; personal safety or criminal activity; or general concerns with the listing. "We'll treat each case seriously and ensure that we give hosts and their neighbors the opportunity to resolve concerns themselves, whenever possible," the company said in a blog post. "Hosting is a big responsibility and those who repeatedly fail to meet our standards and expectations will be subject to suspension or removal from the Airbnb community."

For those who have been complaining to the city for years about the Airbnb listing next door, the news may come as cold comfort. But for Airbnb, which needs to maintain good relationships with the cities in which it operates, it's a welcome — and necessary — step forward.