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What was the outcome? Did they leave a bad review? To what extent is it helpful to preemptively reach out to host support “to document it”? Wouldn’t CS consult the chat anyways if something happened that needs to be addressed at that moment?
I’ve had good experience with support when I got an uneasy feeling about a guest BEFORE booking (trip request). They were always understanding and (at least) told me that I won’t be punished for declining if I felt that there was something wrong with that guest. No idea, if this was because I phoned them or if in general there are no wrist slaps for declining like this?!
Not sure what you mean by no wrist slap for declining a request. You don’t have to talk to Airbnb about declining a request- you just decline. All that does is lower your acceptance rate, which really doesn’t affect anything. Only if you decline a lot would Airbnb send you warnings.
And reporting guest unacceptable behavior at the time it happens (not piddly things, but big ones like invading a host’s privacy, being aggressive or threatening, continuing to ignore house rules after already being reminded of them) would seem much more believable to Airbnb if the guest lodges some bogus complaint after they check out, than if the host waits until after check-out, whivh could make it seem like the host is just coming up with something to counter the guest’s report.
I had a guest cancel a few hours before check-in, after her 1 week booking blocking my calendar for 2 months and having been a big pain in the butt through messaging over something she felt she was entitled to, which I had never promised. She had also called Airbnb saying she wanted a full refund (which I did not agree to).
I saw that she had rushed to leave a review as soon as she got the review notice. As I was sure it was going to be a bad review, I messaged Airbnb, pointing out that she had cancelled at 4am the day of check-in, never set foot here, and therefore had nothing to base a review on. Airbnb agreed and her review never appeared.
I’m sure if I had waited until her review was published, and then tried to get Airbnb to remove it, it would have been a battle, and probably a losing one.
That’s why I asked - just because something “would be more believable to Airbnb” means that Airbnb actually cares and acts upon such notifications from the host’s side. Your expertise is appreciated. Good to know that Airbnb has an open ear in such situations.
We’ve only gone through a handful of declines over almost 2 years, some even being obvious scammers. Now we do not worry about reaching out to CS anymore when declining. I used to be under the impression that it’s “better” to contact them over the phone and have a personal reassurance instead of some canned response via the support chat.
I wouldn’t say Airbnb “actually cares”- more like you have to deal with them strategically in order to get their cooperation. If a guest is making a host feel uncomfortable in their own home, it would seem more believable if the host reported it at the time it happened, rather than waiting until the guest has made their own report, or left a bad review.
In my case, I did report the guest to Airbnb and sent messages to the guests when the violations happened. The rep assured me everything will be ok if the guest left a retaliatory review and even compensated me for the damages done by the guest. But when the guest put in a discrimination complaint my outcomes were reversed.
I’m afraid that this even becomes fashionable and some type of guests just ruthlessly call support after a stay and make a discrimination claim just to get fully reimbursed for a stay.
I agree and the crazy part is Airbnb will not disclose their findings and evidence for the grounds of discrimination… This is irresponsible and dangerous because the future guests may try the same tactics. There are no cameras in shared areas which is also dangerous and irresponsible. Thank goodness, I also do direct bookings.
I didn’t like how the guest used the wrong pronouns for you or called you aggressive. If AirBnB had any genuine cultural competency, they’d delete the review on the grounds of how the guest spoke about you, but I am pessimistic that you’ll be able to get anywhere with the CS agents. At least the guest comes off as unhinged.
Not flushing paper is very common in places like Bali.
Anyone who has rural property on a septic system is aware of the costs and damage caused by people flushing wipes, etc. Not to mention other nasties… I am careful to have signs posted in each bathroom. But I still have the odd guest who hasn’t a clue. Unfortunately, it’s the cost of doing business. Another reason I meet and greet ALL guests and do a walkthrough. My property is unique and has a lot of quirks…
My issue is not flushing toilet paper but food and water grease down my bathroom drains. I do have sign posted in the bathroom and listed on my house rules. My problem is guest booking my room space then try to not comply to my rules because I am a woman and try to challenge my stance on social justice and other causes my decor represent. If a guest cannot abide by a host house rules why book it in the first place! They are only trying to cause trouble. My house my rules!
Sadly, the current political crisis happening now will only make these things more common. I cry every day for the people who are being hurt because the orange f**k thinks that diversity is bad, that equality is wrong, and that inclusion is hurtful.
What is your food/eating arrangement for guests? You haven’t explained that. You mentioned something about usually keeping your kitchen door locked. Where can guests eat or prepare food and wash dishes? Where are they supposed to throw leftovers? Is it possible that you are just expecting your guests to eat all their meals out and not have any food or eat in your home? If so, that isn’t very practical.
My homeshare guests have full use of my kitchen, so I have never had issues with guests throwing food down bathroom drains, or washing greasy things in the bathroom.
The guests know I do not offer kitchen use. I have it listed in my house rules and description. I also mention it in my self checkin instructions twice. Each bedroom have a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, bottle waters and toaster. There is a table to eat on in the shared livingroom and a desk in each room. Each bedroom and livingroom have a trash can. However this is not the issue the issue is guests not following my rules. If If they wanted kitchen use they should’ve booked a place that do. I am also a guest and I have stayed at room spaces where the kitchen cannot be used and I never flushed or poured food/ grease down their drains or complained about no use. Some people are just entitled.
Thanks for clarifying. I don’t know how you state your house rules regarding not putting food remnants or grease down the bathroom sink, but if you don’t already, maybe instead of telling them what not to do, try telling them what to do- i.e. “Please scrape all leftover food off plates and containers, into the garbage can, not the sink.”
And maybe you need a little framed instruction next to the bathroom sink.
Unfortunately i reside in upstate NY and we are targets because of my Black pride decor and social justice stance. I have to limit my in person presence to my guests. I believe I get many right wing guests. I was effected by the “go woke go broke” clientele a few years ago. One of the owners of Airbnb is now supporting the right wing agendas.
