This forum is dedicated to connecting hosts with other hosts. Sign up to get the latest updates and news just for AirBnb hosts! Note that we are not affiliated with Airbnb - we are just passionate hosts!
I had a couple email me -new with no reviews. for a 2 day stay. my minimum…With a one sentence request. I’m still learning how to ask for more info without sounding rude. I asked them if it was for just 2 guests, they replied yes. I agreed to book them, as the couple prior, also new, no reviews were good. I happened to drive by on my way to a hike and noticed they snuck in a kid about 7 getting out of their car… I have a no kid policy… I don’t have the time or energy to clean up after young kids, my place is not equipped for young kids. I have very nice stuff that took me a long time to acquire- affordable at antique shops, thrift stores- irreplaceable, to buy new… i have white leather chairs that were scuffed, an off white chair cover stained, bed spreads stained, 2 beds to clean instead of one, and they also used 5 sets of blankets instead of one set- so alot of extra cleaning. not to mention sticky stuff on walls to clean. And the lock on my outer screen door is now broken (which I can’t 99% pin on them, but pretty sure)… I felt uneasy about them from the start not sure why… Lack of communication? Once i hit accept- never heard from them again. It feels gross when you have people in your place - that lied to get in…
Can I put in a request for a 3rd person (kid) fee? I can’t recall but was there a rule at one time that you had to accept a young child, is this still true? They don’t know I saw them with the child and I haven’t contacted them A bit stumped on what to do or how to review them…or my rights.
The only thing reason why I didn’t write a review yet is because they said it was their honeymoon and part of me doesn’t want to ruin their memory… with a bad review or calling them out as dishonest… Even though I don’t like being lied to.
Do you have it in your listing or house rules that there is an extra per head charge for guests? If not, I don’t think you can ask for it after the fact.
You are new and want good reviews so I would not mention the child to the guests directly.
What I would do is review them and state, unemotionally and in a very matter of fact manner, that you would not host these guests again due to them breaking your house rules (or occupancy limit, if that’s the case) and bringing more guests than listed in the reservation. You also should mention the extra mess/work/damage/stains. Rate them accordingly. I’d give them only 3 stars but other hosts might rate them higher or lower.
They can not see your review until they leave one, or until the review period is up, so they can’t leave you a retaliatory review.
I would not worry about it being their honeymoon. First of all, I kind of doubt it was their honeymoon because who brings the seven-year-old child on their honeymoon? Secondly, whether it was our honeymoon or anniversary or whatever is beside the point. They did not treat your house rules or property with respect.
Your review should be clear and to the point. You asked how many guests and they said two.
The place was left in an unacceptable state.
Use this experience to be clear about what you expect from guests- your rules. Have a booklet in your place regarding this, plus helpful info about your wifi, local points of interest, restaurants, supermarkets , maps etc etc.
Don’t have anything in your airbnb that you dont want to lose, or get broken etc.
This is the forum to get lots of excellent helpful advice and tips galore!!
Sorry if I sound blunt - I’m writing on my mobile in a very small box!!
This is a tricky one. Because you said nothing to the guests when you saw the child there, and because you don’t have cameras, (I’m assuming?) it’s up to you to prove that the kid was actually there and staying with the couple.
They could say that he/she is the child of a friend who lives locally and they were just babysitting for a couple of hours. Going forward, it’s best if you speak to guests about any problems you might have during their stay.
It’s really best to ‘guest proof’ your rental and not have anything that you’d hate to lose or be damaged. And don’t keep stuff around if you don’t want it to be used. (The 5 blanket sets.)
Please do review them - be honest but factual. Don’t mention anything that you can’t be 100% sure about (like the screen door lock). Leave emotion out of the review.
Please be assured though that we all get the rough with the smooth. some guests will be great and others, not so great. That’s the business we’re in.
I learned this lesson after one couple used multiple bath and hand towels each day. I have storage cubbies in each bedroom, which was wear I stored extra towels. I liked the way it looked and it was easier for me. My turnover person talked me into her method - two wash cloths, hand towels and bath towels per person with a sign instructing them to ask if they need more.
I thought of mentioning it the first night, but since they were one night left, I thought it would only bring more aggro- cause they purposely lied and said 2 people… so nothing i could say then would change things or help. do you think i should not mention an extra person- cause they could lie about it? there were 2 beds slept in… etc… … its pretty obvious but have no camera proof…
I have a lot of couples who use both beds in the suite, so even that isn’t “proof” because they could say one couldn’t sleep and used the other bed.
Even though you have stuff you can’t replace, you will end up replacing things so if you don’t have a damage deposit you collect, or work with an insurance company and add damage protection, it might be something to consider. I don’t believe people intentionally break stuff, it just happens – new environment, not fully aware of all the issues.
I wouldn’t mention the kid unless you have it in your house rules, not just the radio button of “not suitable.” Guests often miss rules and nuances so it has to be crystal clear in multiple places. But it doesn’t have to be harsh.
I very much doubt they brought a 7 year old on a honeymoon. But then again, I brought 6 New Zealand relatives on mine (we road tripped from San Diego to the Grand Canyon and back in 2 cars…).
Go through the resolution center and catalog the damage and the costs to clean. Write a review - “Said reservation was for 2, snuck in a child and my listing is NO CHILDREN due to unsafe environment for children. Damaged walls (sticky!), white furniture has marks, screen door lock broken. Would not host again.”
I might avoid the term “snuck in”. The guests can always deny they intended to do anything sneaky- they might claim they thought kids didn’t count as far as how many guests there would be.
How about "Guests confirmed there would only be 2 of them when I asked, but arrived with a child (approx. 7 years old).
I have a no child policy specifically for the reason- too much work and too destructive which is exactly what happened. And I specifically asked them if it was 2 guests and they said yes they’re on their honeymoon, So it was an out and out lie.
Thanks yea… They will be shocked to hear I even knew they snuck in a kid. But I saw him so will mention it. in an unemotional way as suggested.
I won’t bother trying to get money … I can’t prove it was them with the lock and if they lie about the kid/no guests, I’m sure they’d lie about the lock.
so doesn’t seem worth the trouble…
that’s the problem with same day turnarounds, between guests…a little hard to identify all the little details til later…
I think I might write it off as wear and tear… the problem with the stains and stuff, they cheapen the overall vibe, they are kinda miniscule… so can’t really claim them… but they just kinda make a pristine place a little worn…
I had a couple who brought 2 kids to my 2 person max listing one time. I saw them getting out of the car on camera and messaged them that I see there are four people and NOT to check in. They proceeded to let themselves in so I went and knocked on the door and told them they would have to leave. They promised me they would have someone pick up the kids soon and apologized. About 3 hours later they left for a few hours and returned without the kids.
In the few hours they were there they managed to completly cover my TV with snotty fingerprints and left a huge mess overall. I gave them the review they deserved. No regrets at all for confronting them the minute I saw what was going on, then knocking when they ignored my message and let themselves in.
WOW. That is great. Yes the destruction can be crazy… and very disrespectful.
I am still unsure of the rules (in Canada) if you want to tell someone to leave. I doubt the police would bother coming to kick someone out over an airbnb violation? Not sure…
I don’t know that the ‘rules’ really count.
At least where I live, my STR license is for a maximum of two people per apartment. So is my STR insurance,
So it’s pretty plain that I can ask additional people to leave.
I’ve told people to leave, but never called the cops. I suppose that had I been confronted with a dozen huge blokes with guns then I would have done.
But I have had no problem telling a ‘normal’ couple to vacate - without the cops.
If they refuse I would call the sheriff, and once they were here I would show them my STR license and remind them I pay transient occupancy tax and the guests are subject to the same laws as a hotel would be. I would be front loading my position to the cops that this is not a civil matter that they can walk away (cop out of) from.
Thankfully I have not had to test this in real life.
