I have had a few requests in the past, and one recently, for the address to our Airbnb prior to their arrival. This booking is a week from now, which was booked on July 18th. Is there any reason why I wouldn’t give out our address early? I know Airbnb gives out the address once the cancellation deadline has past. I usually give out check in details the day before guests arrival, with door code, address, photos of entrance ect.
For my own personal security, I don’t release my address until right before the booking. I will give them an approximate address and for me the map of the location where I’m located on Airbnb is pretty accurate.
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In my case, guests would be hard pressed to find my house by the address, so it’s a moot point.
But when I travel, I like to have all my ducks in a row ahead of time, and I imagine some other travelers feel the same way. I have never been an Airbnb guest, but I would not book a place where the host only gave out the address shortly before check-in- there are too many ways that could end up being a problem, from a phone being out of charge, to losing the phone, or not having a connection.
However, in this case, it seems the free cancellation period isn’t up yet? I wouldn’t give out the address before that.
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I give out complete address and other details about 24 hrs in advance. Why wouldnt you give it out before the cancelation period. There always seems to be something i dont think of…like using guest phone number as code to the door because delivery guys ect would be on to it. Just want to know the reason why not give it out. What safety issues are a concern? Thanks
Well, I don’t think it’s very likely, but someone could come by before their check-in date, scope the place out, decide they didn’t like the neighborhood or something, then cancel. Or, if the host lives onsite, come and try to make a side deal with you, that they cancel the Airbnb booking and pay you directly.
If they really had nefarious intent, they could just scope out Airbnb listings, looking for ones with expensive stuff in it, check the calendars to find out when they have an available, unbooked day, and go break into the place and steal stuff.
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Neither would I. Even if we are only staying somewhere for a few days, I still wouldn’t book somewhere without knowing its exact location.
Even for short stays, I still want to go to Google Maps and check the place out. I want to know if there are restaurants and cafes nearby and that there isn’t an abattoir or something gross next door.
To be honest, it really surprises me that people will book without knowing exactly where they’re going.
When a guest books, they dont know the exact location. Airbnb gives an approximate location.
I don’t look at my settings often but when I first started using Airbnb, the host had the choice - show the approximate location or an accurate one.
I chose the latter and have never been worried about people knowing my location. Has this now changed?
It seems strange to me to have a business and not include its location in its advertising.
I cannot remember what i checked when we first listed with Airbnb. I will need to check that out
But most businesses are different from running an Airbnb. They have walk-in businesses open to the public, not access to a private home.
I checked that my address would only be shown as approximate until a booking was confirmed. But as I mentioned, basically no one could find my house from the address- they need either an exact Google location pin or my hand-drawn map.
There have been cases of guests asking for the exact address and then showing up to look it over–before their booking and when other guests were already in residence. There have also been cases of guests showing up on the wrong day and entering the AirBnB only to find guests already in residence.
This is where having a unique code that only activates when a guest’s stay actually starts can save you!
We had people walk onto our property to inquire about a direct booking because they didn’t want to pay the commission to BDC (BDC shows the address on the listing page).
Hosts who use their exact location should be prepared to have visitors doing something similar.
I used to use the last 4 digits of the guest’s phone number, but now I use a 4 digit computer generated code that is activated 1/2 hour before checking in time, and deactivated 1/2 hour after check out time. There is never a risk of a guest entering the suite while another guest is in the suite. I do not have many ask for the exact address of our Airbnb days or weeks prior to their booking, but wanted to know what other long time hosts do if asked.
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Some guests want to know exactly where they’re staying, so they can map it and see if there is something like a meatpacking plant or whatever next door. I’ll give it to any guest who asks with a short explanation why they want the address. I don’t see any security concerns. This is a message coming through AirBnb.
A few years back friends and i were booked in an AIRBNB in Toronto. I asked for the exact address prior to our check in date and the host gave my a reply that Airbnb will send out the exact address 24 prior to our arrival. I dont really have an issue wirh giving out the address…just wanted to know any safety issues ect.Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
I agree, they should. I have this about once a month and often people ask to see inside one of the apartments. I always tell them that I’d love to oblige but there are guests in there that I don’t want to disturb.
With some of these people, it’s exactly what you say and they are trying to avoid fees. Most though just want to take a good look at the location. Often, they are local people who have friends coming into town needing accommodation.
I agree. Of course Airbnb wants to discourage hosts from giving guests their address - and thus encourage them to book off-platform.
We got this situation “under control” by fully fencing in our property. So our family and guests enjoy a secure and tranquil environment.
We simply cannot have strangers just waltzing onto our property for a look-see. I find that very disrespectful.
Our place is very open and each apartment is individually owned so any fencing would be decided by, arranged and paid for by the HOA. (So I don’t see any fencing in our near future).
People on this pretty laid-back street wander in and out of properties fairly casually. What I don’t like about that is when it’s dog walkers - and I’ve been known to go out and yell at dog owners who are letting their pet cock its leg (or worse) on the property. That’s totally disrespectful - like saying ‘I don’t give a 
’.
So an occasional adult wanting to take a look at the apartments is welcome - as long as they don’t bring a dog. 
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I’ve had guests request the full address early, but usually with a given reason at the same time - they are looking to book taxis in advance if they are coming for wedding, or wanting to organise a supermarket delivery. I take that to indicate they are unlikely to cancel and that has proven correct each time.
So I’ve never had an issue. When guests book direct they get all the details quite early on so I don’t really see Airbnb as very different to that.