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Many guests have not filled out their ‘fun facts’ and have not filled in their ‘born in the xxx decade’. This is a simple way to find out if a guest is too young for your listing - if they are too young for your usual folks (our listing is private rooms on my house) we can mention that in their booking comment and we can possibly deter teens from booking in our very ‘older folks’ airbnb.
Does this booking requirement seem like it is going to be ‘out of bounds’ and discriminatory? I’m hooping it comes across as an if/then request rather than something like ‘confirm your age’:
“Confirm that you are ‘born in the 1990s’ or earlier (if your profile description mentions this) and can provide proof upon our request.”
I’ve never had any age restrictions but I have wondered how this affects the discrimination issue.
For example, many hostels in Europe have an upper age limit (which tends to be 40) and I’ve wondered if it’s legal. (So many of the hostels look to be great places to stay and I’m definitely out of the age range ).
Although I fully understand why hosts prefer an older age group rather than teenagers, especially in-home hosts, I’ve never had a problem with young guests … just sticking up for you teenage guys.
How far Airbnb allows hosts to specify the guests that are a good fit for them is an interesting subject though.
I actually ask the guests their name, address, phone (sometimes their account has an old phone number) and age. Since my space is for only 2 people, I don’t mind 18 years olds but I mostly need the age because I have an old house with code-regulation stairs but I often get complaints for people over 65. (I show a photo of the steps in the list and say that folks who have trouble climbing stairs would not want to book this) but as we all know, folks don’t read so when I get someone older, I actually send them back a link to the stairs to confirm that they are ok.
But my point is that I disclose the info I will request when they book, I tell them it’s separate from the info given to airbnb and that I need it for my insurance and that if they don’t want to provide the info, please don’t book. I also have them respond within 24 hours so that I can cancel without penalty if they refuse.
Airbnb doesn’t seem to have an issue with me requesingt this info since I disclose it prior to booking, so I think you could do something similar.
Sadly, age is a protected class and I am not sure that asking it ANY time in the booking process is correct… according to airbnb published policy:
Age and Familial Status
Airbnb hosts may:
Provide factually accurate information about their listing’s features (or lack of features) that could lead a guest to determine that the listing is unsuitable for guests of a certain age or guests with children or infants.
Note in their listings any applicable laws or regulations that prohibit guests of a particular age or guests with children or infants (for example, a listing that is part of a housing association that is restricted to only seniors).
" Airbnb hosts may not:*
** Decide for guests that a listing does not meet the needs of guests of a certain age or guests with children or infants.*
** Impose different terms or conditions or decline a reservation because of a guest’s age or familial status, unless such restriction is required by applicable law or regulations.*
This includes imposing rules like “no guests under 21,” charging more fees for guests of a certain age, or discouraging certain types of guest bookings because of age or familial status."*
Asking something - anything - is not prohibited; anyone is free to decline answering. The approach used by @Lynick4442 is kind, polite, and does not suggest any refusal on the host’s part. If the host has valid reasons, such as insurance requirements, the potential guest can choose to respond honestly, make up something, joke in return, or even decide not to book.
In several European countries it is a legal requirement to collect personal information of foreign guests who stay in hotels, STRs etc. - sometimes this information is directly transmitted to the authorities, sometimes the host just keeps the records for a period of time (mostly 3 to 6 months) and then can delete it if it is not requested by the authorities.
It also varies which guests are affected. In Switzerland even Swiss citizens may have to show their passport when checking in.
We had several instances where a person books for someone else and we only find out about it by the time of check-in. For us, the same procedure applies as @Lynick4442 - within 24 hours they have to provide their info or the booking will be cancelled. Too many clowns out there, just making sure we don’t get them. Plus, we luckily are obligated to register all personal information which filters out a huge amount of loony guests.
As the guests have to show their ID when they check-in - we might as well ask for that information at the time the reservation is made. There is nothing to hide (all that info is published in our listing, before they book IF THEY DECIDE TO READ!). This ensures any age related problems, sames as @Lynick4442 mentioned as we also have stairs and some guests might have a really hard time with that.
I understand you’d prefer to be mostly booked by guests over 35. Totally agre; many in that age group still aren’t exactly adults and often need someone to educate them, which isn’t what you’re being paid for. You’re not their parent.
Of course, you can’t refuse guests based on age. That would be considered discriminatory. But you can discourage certain types of guests in a tactful way that doesn’t amount to directly rejecting a booking. That’s the point I was trying to make, and I think @Lynick4442 explained a great way of doing this gracefully.
If you’re after something even more effective (and a bit tongue-in-cheek), you could name your property something like “35+” - just like an anti-aging face cream. And if any anti-discrimination authority ever questions it, you can always say it’s just branding, and hey, you even offer your guests samples of anti-aging products!
I don’t see any problem with describing your ideal guests in your listing. Or indeed, explaining issues that might deter the sort of guests you want.
For example, I say things like “quiet and peaceful area”, “I live in the apartment opposite so I’m always on hand to help you” (the latter absolutely deters many would-be less than perfect guests), “perfect for those wanting to relax and recharge” … etc.
The I-live-there thing sounds like a great benefit to the guest, “so I’m on hand to help”, but also means “behave, I’m spying on you”.
So I don’t see why “if you are looking for peace and tranquility and an on-the-spot host who is on hand to help you, then consider booking with us and please message if you have any questions” couldn’t be helpful?
Describing the type of guest best suited to the property is, in fact, one of the best ways to ensure getting those types of guests. I have observed over the years that the hosts who post about getting bad guests usually have listings which read like generic real estate ads, extolling all of the virtues of their properties and none of the warts (and all properties have what various guests might consider negatives, whether it’s traffic noise, a 20 minute drive to the nearest grocery store, spotty Wifi, a long flight of stairs to walk up, etc.) Nor do they mention the demographic of guests that would be the best fit for their properties.
A guest’s age has much less to do with whether they will be a good fit for what a host offers, than the type of person they are. I advertise my place as suitable for those who want a quiet tropical vacation, close enough to town and the beach to take advantage of those things, but far enough away to get an undisturbed night’s sleep, and hang out in a quiet, peaceful area when home.
I have had many guests in their 20’s-early 30’s- some are homebodies who like to hang out and read, or do art, or write, some do like to go out at night. The difference that results in my advertising it like I do is that even the ones who like to go out and party don’t bring that energy home- I may go to bed hours before they come home, but I never hear them come in- they are quiet. If I didn’t advertise the quiet nature of my place, I would probably get young guests who just were attracted to my price point, but came home noisy and drunk. In other words, I seem to attract guests, even young ones, who have no problem being respectful and quiet, even if they might be the life of the party when they are out and about enjoying themselves.
Recently i was asked by a 16 year old if they could book but i said no as airbnb doesnt allow under 18 to book. Otherwise never restricted booking on age.
In the US (and, I suspect, in most countries), a contract can only be enforced against someone who is at least 18 years old. Therefore, if you rent to someone under 18, they don’t have to follow any of your rules and you cannot do a thing about it (except, perhaps, to sue the parents of that person). That’s why AirBnB doesn’t allow anyone under 18 to book a place.
I don’t mind what age my guests are as long as they respect my place. The majority of any age group have done so. Ive filled in the original ’About me and my husband’ info and sometimes read theirs. It is a good idea to do that as I’ve found out interesting things about my guests and vice versa. i don’t fill in the new info thats been posted though.
Im not after a penpal, just a pleasant respectful guest that i may become friends with.
Reviews of one’s place will also be a clue for those who are thinking to book.
My place is a 10 mins walk to the centre of town. Occasionally, it’s considered too far. Ive noted the distance in the description of my place.
We’re listing distance as well as walking times, but I must say two things:
While we have seasoned traveller guests who consider our “location conveniently located in the center of the city”, millenials tend to struggle with a 5 minute walk to the next bus stop.
Listing “distances” in minutes is a double edged sword. While a healthy person might walk a specific distance in 10 minutes, someone who suffers from hip or knee problems might take 2 to 3 times a long.
That makes me laugh - shall I list for every ability? Not laughing at you, but the idea of trying to be clear for all abilities. Here’s a go:
•Walkers- the walk to the town centre is a doddle 5 mins or less
•History buffs -go straight down past the old Goal 15 mins
•Going to the hospital - 5 mins straight down then go left 5 mins
•Millennials- call a taxi
Now you’ve got me thinking. Perhaps if i know where they’re from , i can put the distance in a context they may understand.For example, I obviously don’t come from your neck of the woods- DodgeRams? Is this a sporting term?
This has turned out to be a fun, even educational topic!!
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