Press & History

The shenanigans of the broker to belittle owner gains

Since it is no longer feasible for brokers to collect 30 percent commission from the guest, they resort to methods that affect landlords in the accommodation market.

Until then, many companies, such as shared housing agencies, had been able to charge tenants or guests commissions of 30 percent and more. The legislature put a stop to this procedure. As a first countermeasure, many brokers scaled down their services and shifted more work onto the landlord. Numerous accommodation intermediaries also changed their conditions so that the booking was no longer made directly with the owner but through the broker, including payment. This created a commercial collection process that could have consequences for the landlord. Another disadvantage of this approach was that it could become difficult or even impossible for landlords to claim their rent directly.

Choosing a reputable accommodation intermediary

ND Bed Breakfast had already relied on partnership with Bed & Breakfast hosts and landlords in the accommodation market since 1996. Necessary preparatory work such as viewings and contract negotiations was not left to the landlord. The customer could see the total price directly online, without hidden costs such as final cleaning. Well informed, the guest moved into the furnished room and paid directly to the Bed & Breakfast host — either in advance by bank transfer or in cash at check-in. Additional services such as Wi-Fi or breakfast could be arranged directly between owner and guest and were not part of the mediation fee. This fee applied only to the accommodation costs, which made the process transparent.

Executive summary

The article described a changing legal and market environment and argued for a transparent, partnership-based form of accommodation mediation. It highlighted direct payment, clear conditions and the role of a reputable intermediary in the market for furnished rooms and apartments.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast described itself as a Switzerland-based company that had been mediating furnished guest rooms, apartments and holiday apartments as an alternative to hotels since 1996. Historical company names, numbers and market descriptions reflect the respective publication date.

Confidence building: Ask your broker for his qualification

The call for appropriate qualification in the accommodation market was getting louder: holiday-home providers and Bed & Breakfast intermediaries under review.

For decades, calls from the real estate industry for stronger regulation of the profession had often been overlooked. The permission to work as a broker under § 34c GewO was comparatively easy to obtain, while specific qualification for the accommodation market did not have to be demonstrated. Against this background, the article asked why so many property owners were willing to entrust their property to intermediaries with little or no specific qualification in this segment.

Claudia and Markus Urban, who had been active with ND Bed Breakfast since 1996, emphasized the importance of qualification, experience and responsible handling of property. The article described their different professional perspectives — one with a stronger real-estate and valuation background, the other with a strong understanding of the guest side and event organization.

The article argued that reliable mediation should bring hosts and guests together on equal footing and that transparent, fair agreements were central to trust in the accommodation market.

Executive summary

The press release focused on trust, qualification and responsible mediation. It positioned experience and personal consultation as important factors in a market where property owners were handing over valuable assets to intermediaries.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast described itself as a company mediating furnished guest rooms and apartments as an alternative to hotels since 1996. Historical figures and market statements reflect the time of publication.

Secure attractive income with little effort by subletting rooms

Renting furnished apartments and subletting rooms promised additional income with manageable effort — if the right partner was at one’s side.

The article explained that private accommodation providers could benefit from the know-how of an experienced provider in this segment. ND Bed Breakfast, based in Switzerland, had specialized in Bed & Breakfast rentals since 1996 and offered connected hosts a range of advantages.

One of the advantages described was the possibility to list a room or furnished apartment without fixed upfront costs. Hosts remained independent and free to work with other providers. They could decide themselves when to make rooms or apartments available — for example only during the week, only on weekends or for individually selected periods.

The article also emphasized direct payment at arrival and the flexibility of private hosts. Breakfast or additional services could be arranged directly between host and guest.

Executive summary

This historical article focused on the flexibility of private hosts, furnished rooms and temporary accommodation. It described how furnished rooms and apartments could be offered with comparatively low organizational effort.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast described itself as an experienced intermediary for furnished guest rooms, apartments and holiday apartments. Historical statements reflect the publication date.

From 2015 owners pay brokers up to 29.75 percent — but for what?

The article discussed alternatives for owners who were concerned about high brokerage fees and the workload left to the landlord.

In the context of legal changes planned at the time, the article discussed the broker’s role and the question of whether high commissions were justified if many tasks remained with the landlord. These tasks included viewings, selection of interested tenants and contract negotiations.

The article contrasted this with the model used by ND Bed Breakfast, where guests were presented as ready to check in and where the host did not have to handle all steps of the process alone. It emphasized transparency, flexibility and the option for hosts to define minimum and maximum rental periods.

The article also described the flexibility of making accommodation available only at certain times and highlighted the possibility of working with more than one provider.

Executive summary

The press release discussed brokerage fees, host workload and alternatives in private furnished accommodation mediation. It presented transparency and flexibility as key advantages for hosts.

Historical facts

Statements about commissions, legislation and market providers reflect the situation described at the time of publication.

Target group women: a win-win situation for guests and hosts

Especially female Bed & Breakfast hosts often preferred renting to women.

Women had long been an important target group in tourism. The share of women travelling alone, as well as female business travellers, was increasing. Hotels were already responding with offers designed specifically for women, and the article placed Bed & Breakfast for women within this wider trend.

In the Bed & Breakfast for women segment, the preferences of both guests and hosts played a role. Many female hosts preferred to receive female guests, especially when the accommodation was located within their own personal living environment.

The article described the possibility to offer rooms specifically for women and emphasized flexibility, transparency and direct arrangements between host and guest for additional services.

Executive summary

This historical article looked at women as a specific target group in private accommodation. It highlighted trust, personal comfort and host preferences as important parts of the accommodation experience.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast described itself as a provider of furnished guest rooms and apartments. Historical market descriptions reflect the publication date.

Alternative online booking

The B&B online booking portal ND Bed & Breakfast was taking new steps.

The article described how, unlike many traditional agencies, Bed & Breakfast offers could be booked online. For business travellers in particular, simplicity in the booking process was described as essential. They wanted to book accommodation quickly, without repeated phone calls, availability requests by email and long waiting times for confirmation.

ND Bed Breakfast offered accommodation in cities such as Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Berlin. Guests could select city, district, type of accommodation, travel period and desired features such as washing machine, internet connection, balcony or proximity to trade fairs.

The article emphasized online bookability and flexibility. It also noted that the arrival day could be selected freely, which was seen as an advantage compared to many holiday-region offers.

This press release was originally published on ptext.ch.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast described itself as a provider of furnished guest rooms, apartments and holiday apartments as an alternative to hotels.

Bed Breakfast is going green

The Bed Breakfast agency for Stuttgart and Berlin changed its company vehicle to an e-bike — and not just any e-bike, but a cargo e-bike.

In cooperation with urban-e.com from Berlin, Markus Urban used an electric cargo bike for business appointments from August 2012 onwards. The article described the bike as a practical and sustainable mobility solution for urban business travel.

The cargo e-bike was presented as versatile, cost-effective and suitable for replacing car trips. It could carry documents, overnight items and equipment, and could be combined with train travel for appointments in different cities.

The article also described the broader Bed & Breakfast concept as an alternative to hotels, especially in urban areas where hotel costs could be high and where private accommodation provided more space and flexibility.

Executive summary

This historical press release connected accommodation mediation with sustainability and urban mobility. It showed an early interest in more flexible and environmentally conscious business practices.

Historical facts

At the time, ND Bed Breakfast presented itself as a Bed & Breakfast agency active in cities such as Stuttgart and Berlin. Historical figures and statements reflect the time of publication.

Renting out a furnished apartment

When it can make sense to rent out property including furniture.

More and more people needed to be mobile for work and spent time in a city other than their main place of residence. They needed apartments — and often furnished ones.

Markus Urban, then co-managing director of Urbanbetten, was often asked when it made sense to rent out an apartment or house furnished. The article explained that many guests were professionally mobile, involved in temporary projects, relocating from abroad, waiting for renovation or new construction to be completed, or still in a probationary period.

Who was interested in furnished apartments?

Many people had to commute for professional reasons or change residence because of a company assignment. Some had temporary projects, others came from abroad. There were also customers waiting for renovation or new construction to be completed, or those who did not yet want to rent or buy permanently.

What should owners consider when furnishing an apartment?

The article recommended looking at location, layout and features and creating a price calculation for each apartment. A good renovation condition was described as important, especially for bathroom and kitchen. Furnishing should be bright, friendly and not worn out.

What were the advantages compared with permanent renting?

The article described furnished temporary renting as a way to remain more flexible, for example if the owner wanted to use the apartment occasionally, sell the property later or avoid long-term occupation. It also described professional guests as a relevant target group for furnished housing.

What about vacancy between tenants?

The article stated that many customers stayed between two and five months and that shorter stays could sometimes bridge gaps between longer bookings. Historical occupancy figures mentioned in the original article reflect the publication date.

Historical facts

At the time, Urbanbetten and ND Bed Breakfast were part of the earlier brand history that later led toward today’s urbanbnb positioning.

ND Bed Breakfast Urban offers new guest rooms only for women

According to tourism organizations in Baden-Württemberg and Berlin at the time, target-group accommodation was becoming more popular. ND Bed Breakfast Urban offered private guest rooms for women travelling alone, provided by women for women.

Claudia Urban described such guest rooms as a niche for both female hosts and female guests. For women, the threshold of staying in private accommodation could be higher, and the women-only concept was intended to reduce this barrier.

The concept was also intended for hostesses who had previously decided against Bed & Breakfast rental because they did not want to accommodate male guests. The rooms for women could be booked online, similar to a hotel room.

Historical facts

The article belongs to the earlier Bed & Breakfast phase of the company’s history and reflects the market language of the time.

B&B in trend — often just “bed”

Bed and Breakfast and furnished housing: affordable accommodation in Stuttgart was gaining popularity.

Celebrities, craftspeople on assignment, interns, career starters and business people were increasingly using furnished rooms or furnished apartments instead of expensive hotels for the duration of their stay.

The original article referred to a full newspaper article in “Immobilien & Wohnen” about Bed & Breakfast and furnished housing in Stuttgart.

Explore the magic of Zurich affordably with ND Bed & Breakfast

Anyone who had visited Zurich knew that the city had a special charm. Especially during the Christmas season, Zurich appeared in a sea of lights and offered visitors a different kind of urban experience. The city’s location by Lake Zurich, between Uetliberg and Zürichberg, made it attractive for visitors.

At the same time, Zurich was associated with high living costs, and hotel accommodation could take up a large part of a travel budget. ND Bed & Breakfast positioned private guest rooms as a more affordable alternative to hotels.

The article described private accommodation as attractive for both guests and hosts. Guests could stay for a few days or for longer temporary periods, while hosts could decide when to make their property available.

High demand for accommodation in Zurich

The article reported that ND Bed & Breakfast had added new properties in the Zurich region and that direct online booking was becoming increasingly important. Historical figures and market descriptions reflect the publication date.

Historical facts

This article belongs to the earlier Swiss and Bed & Breakfast phase of the company’s history.

Affordable accommodation in trend

Bed and Breakfast as an alternative to hotels.

The article described the Bed and Breakfast trend as originating in Great Britain and gaining ground in Germany. More business travellers and tourists were using Bed & Breakfast offers as an alternative to hotel rooms. The lower cost and the more personal form of accommodation were presented as key reasons.

Guests stayed in furnished rooms or apartments, which could be especially suitable for longer stays. The mediation agency ND Bed & Breakfast had recognized this development and offered accommodation through an online booking portal.

The article stated that demand for affordable accommodation was increasing, especially from companies that needed temporary housing for employees. Furnished apartments with self-catering options were described as practical for business travellers and families.

Historical facts

Statements about prices, cities and availability reflect the market situation described at the time of publication.

Football fans staying in private rooms

The Bed and Breakfast sector experienced a boom during the World Cup.

During the Football World Cup, many people in Stuttgart offered their apartments as private accommodation. Agencies that mediated private rooms benefited from the high demand and the special atmosphere of the event.

The article described hosts who welcomed international guests and football fans into private rooms. Some hosts had previous experience with guests, while others were curious about how guests from abroad would behave during the World Cup period.

Markus Urban, owner of the mediation agency Night and Day at the time, had already placed numerous World Cup guests in private accommodation. The article described guests from countries such as Australia, Croatia, France and Switzerland and reflected the early days of private-room mediation in Stuttgart.

Historical facts

This is one of the earliest press references in the archive and shows the roots of the later urbanbnb history in private accommodation and temporary stays.