I’m a single host, with a shared space listing. I live mainly alone, with the exception of my college age daughter who is home on occasion (currently here on break). I hosted a single man twice; just prior to Christmas (four nights) and for the long New Year’s weekend (three nights). His last check out was Jan 1 when he indicated he’d like to stay longer. I informed him I had guests checking in that day and would not be able to accommodate him. I ran into him that evening at a local restaurant while I was dining solo. The guest indicated he had rented a room at a local inn in town for a bit. He ended up very drunk, and actually fell over in the bar on his back after knocking over some bar chairs. Messy. The bartender took his keys, and returned him and his car to the inn and left the keys with the owners. He had asked me to drive him back and I declined - not putting myself into a situation!
Here’s where it gets crazy. At 5 am this morning my dog was barking furiously downstairs. My daughter was in her basement room sleeping, and I had two, first time, brand new to Airbnb guests in my guest room. I attempted to get my dog upstairs as I thought she was barking at the snow plow trucks going by. When she didn’t stop barking, I put on my robe and partially descended my staircase to find a man in my kitchen/dining area. I said “hello?” . . . and when the man looked up I realized it was this previous guest from eight days prior (from Pennsylvania, and I am in New Hampshire!). He had used the previous keypad code to enter - no knocking! I asked what he was doing here. He said he didn’t know anyone in the area and needed a place “to crash.” This man is over 65 years old and just happened to be in the area, during a huge snow storm, a days drive from home?? I told him he can not be here and needed to leave immediately. He did leave, but texted me later to apologize. I did not respond.
I called the local police department after the incident and planned to go to the station to file a report in the afternoon after work. I declined an officer coming to my house as I didn’t want to further disrupt my guests who were attempting to sleep. This guest later showed up at my Main Street business just prior to noon. I put my hand up and instructed him to leave. He attempted to apologize. I asked numerous times for him to leave and then threatened calling the police, which prompted him to finally leave. I went outside to see where he went but he seemed to disappear. There was a state police officer in his car out front, getting ready to go to the diner next door for lunch. I spoke with him about the situation, and he summoned an officer from the local police department. They found my previous guest in the diner - right next to my shop, getting a meal, and interviewed him and took his information.
Long story short, I provided a statement and a no trespass notice for my home and business to the police department. I am pressing criminal trespass charges and they are currently working on a warrant for his arrest. They indicated that from their interview with him that he’s checking into a stay in a neighboring town today, and staying until Friday (I believe at another Airbnb).
I did call Airbnb after the police this morning, and have been in contact via message today about the updates. I am urging them to suspend this man’s account as I feel he is unstable and may be stalking me, and worry for other women he may target. I also urged them to compensate my poor guests who dealt with this during their very first Airbnb stay. They did issue a credit toward their next stay, which I thought was very kind.
I will, needless to say, be changing my door code often, if not for each and every guest! I’m slightly worried about a bad review from my guests, but think they were very understanding (fingers crossed). What I’m more worried about is that this man may be targeting women to stay with, and I wish I could find out who is currently hosting him! Has anyone had anything like this happen, or have heard of this happening? This man has at least eight Airbnb reviews, so is not new to the program . . .