I have been doing VRBO for about 18 mos and am only now getting in to Airbnb so I guess I have the opposite problem! (getting used to Airbnb).
I -do- have a contract on file with VRBO and my guests must acknowledge it. This can be done thru the VRBO system … My contract spells out $$ penalties if guests don’t follow the rules.
on VRBO I choose not to do the instant booking/confo option … if someone wants to reserve my home I have 24 hours to accept or it automatically declines. The minute I receive an inquiry or reservation request I respond to the guest with several questions that give me some insight into their maturity, experience and motivation for choosing my home … I also state “in case you didn’t see this on my listing” and then provide facts about the property (quiet hours, etc) that I want to be sure the guest acknowledges before I accept their business. I offer a phone contact if email isn’t convenient. If they don’t respond or its not a good fit I decline the booking. So far, so good. My home is in an area with “3 strikes” rules on vacation rentals, so I’m highly motivated to keep my neighbors happy and my permit in force.
I do like the fact that I receive the VRBO’s client’s $$ when they pay it (according to what I set up) and don’t have to wait until their arrival to get paid.