I have no problem with people renting out their own private space while away on vacation or a weekend or their spare bedroom, if they prefer to live alone most of the time. This has helped some people I know afford rent and mortgages and kept them housed.

It’s also helpful to travelers or temp workers who can’t afford Boston hotel prices.

But I agree totally on the type of Airbnb type rental that reduces housing stock. I imagine Beacon Hill is full of it.

They are also used by real

By dd808 on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 1:38pm.

They are also used by real estate agents, dog walkers and house cleaners.

OH?

By Boston_res on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 2:01pm.

In that case, "Boohoo...".

Really? Why?

By Jeff F on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 2:47pm.

I’m honestly confused as to why this is even a thing.

If you placed a lock on your door and gave the temp code to any of the servicepersons that were mentioned, why would they not simply leave the temp lock inside, then lock and shut the door behind themselves, upon completing their task at your house?

For that matter, why wouldn’t short term renters do the same?

Recurrence.

By blues_lead on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 9:19am.

Dogs need to be walked every day. Why not give the dog walker a key? Because people have sick days and vacation days, so a different person will need to walk the dog.

Cleaners come regularly too, as do real estate agents in the period the unit is being shown.

Or for when ….

By Lee on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 9:11pm.

… you won’t be home when your guests arrive.

One of those is a Kryptonite bicycle U-lock

By Ron Newman on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 5:12pm.

but I don't know why someone would leave their lock on the railing after riding their bike away.

Sadly

By BostonDog on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 5:56pm.

People make the mistake of locking up something on the bike that can be cut or removed. (Spokes, seatpost, etc.) Once the bike is stolen, the owner no longer cares about the lock.

Also possible the bike was abandoned and someone just cut the bike off entirely to get it out of the way.

But maybe the U-Lock owner saw all the other locks and just wanted to fit in.

I used to do that when I only needed to lock up ..

By Lee on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 9:09pm.

… at one spot. It was a spare and kept my load light.

So we solved the dog piss on everything problem?

By Friartuck on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 6:45pm.

Then this will be a breeze.

There are still Master Locks

By Frelmont on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 6:48pm.

There are still Master Locks out there I see. I don’t trust them.

Bike thieves can cut through…

By Lee on Tue, 10/15/2024 - 9:13pm.

…. a Ulock in seconds. When will burglars start cutting through these?

And so can you

By perruptor on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 7:17am.

For under $100. Cordless angle grinder - $34. Battery charger is another $34. Battery is $30.

Thanks.

By Lee on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 9:43am.

I’m not thinking of changing my line of work though. Even for such an affordable investment.

And then what?

By eddie on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 7:34am.

So you take a risk and cut the box off. Then what? Try to break into the box to get key? Then what? Try the key in every lock in every building in the area? I don't think so.

You’d make for a not very clever burglar.

By Lee on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 9:42am.

Observation of who uses which one.
Sometimes the lock is right there attached to garden level apartment’s front grill or window grill.
Sometimes just getting inside the main front door is good enough when they have a crow bar or other tools. One of those programable key pads or in areas that allow, a hidden key is still a better defense. But this system works now for people apparently. Until it doesn’t.

It's been working...

By eddie on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 1:12pm.

for decades. We're talking about keys in a common area around a tree on sidewalk....not your other scenarios. I'll also wager that the area is under video surveillance. No security measure provides complete protection but the numbers are the numbers. Common criminals like easy targets.

I lived on Myrtle for a few years.

By Lee on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 1:27pm.

The worst crimes there were perpetrated by rent gauging slumlords and sleazy realtors. But they all have their own keys.

realtors

By cybah on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 3:14pm.

If you saw how some realty companies do key management.. you'd be very afraid.. very afraid.

Once I figured it out, I paid the 50 buck fee to have every unit I rented, re-keyed.

I used to leave my bikes out at night. But no more.

311 complaint of the day: Too many locks on Beacon Hill

Comments

Getting rid of Airbnb wouldn

The crack down on Airbnb as big business ..