Airbnb’s popular home rental model has spawned a wave of spin-off start-ups, from cleaning services to listings managers. Among them is Flatbook, which covers its users’ rent while they are away to make subletting easy. How’s its hotel-like service become a hit with students, families and landlords?

“Sharing is caring,” states a TV spot from holiday home rental company HomeAway. “Or at least that’s what they told us.” Actually, the spot highlights the uglier side of sharing holiday amenities like pools or bathrooms. But can HomeAway dethrone Airbnb by undermining the sharing economy?

Airbnb is bigger than the world's top five hotel brands put together, but most people who browse never book accommodation through the platform. It’s now trying to cater to a wider audience by allowing hotels – which were previously banned from the site – to list their rooms.

For wheelchair users, finding suitable travel accommodation can prove a frustrating experience. Airbnb is making it easier for people in wheelchairs to find listings that better meet their needs, and is an example of a brand becoming conscious of the need to be more inclusive.