Annoyed neighbors in Las Condes: they rented an apartment for sex trade

In the early hours of Monday, June 24, The screams and the sound of blows woke the neighbors . Those who asked for help were two Brazilian escorts who had rented an apartment via Airbnb on the seventh floor of a building —located on Las Condes Avenue— to provide their services.

However, four Venezuelans who were on the property began to beat them. Once the attackers knew the police were on their way, They decided to escape by “going down” to the bottom. according to what the witnesses say The last news . When they reached the second floor, They threatened the resident with a firearm.

Neighbors said they felt fear and insecurity after the incident. And in the building, There are various properties that are rented out by the day through “hospitality” apps such as Airbnb.

“This is the first time something like this has happened. “We no longer feel safe, especially after it became clear that neither the cameras, nor the alarms, nor the concierge served to prevent this intrusion where there were even firearms.” Juan Pablo Perez, a local resident, told the same media outlet.

What can neighbors do? Are there any rules prohibiting the use of Airbnb for these purposes?

According to the page of Airbnb Chile , Using the app to “visit or date someone for the purpose of sex work” and “pimp and obtain sexual services” is completely prohibited.

However, the same resident of the building who reported problems due to two escorts who were renting the apartment for these purposes, said that “In case of theft, attacks or destruction of the building, the application does not respond.”

The man’s complaint is that, even though it is not for the purpose of sexual commerce, The platform allows the coming and going of different people who would put the residents living in the apartments at risk in the long term.

“It is unfair that some owners occupy their apartments for requests, because “They are putting the rest of the neighbors at risk, those of us who chose this place to live, not to do business.” did he declare.

However, Lawyer Adela Gómez of the Catholic University assured the same media that “The person who should be answerable to the building community is the owner of the unit that caused the problem, because Airbnb is just a platform for renters to meet owners.”

The expert explained that The best thing neighbors can do when they have problems with a tenant or landlord is to “band together to change the condominium rules, prohibit this practice and allow the management committee to directly apply fines.

However, in practice it is not so simple: to establish an agreement, according to the Co-ownership Act 21 442 an extraordinary meeting with an absolute majority must be convened and the amendments must be approved by more than half of the owners.

This must then be registered before a notary and a property registrar.