House damage by guest advice please

[Aileen158]

Hi, we had our third guests leave today.  Broken glasses in kitchen and rubbish strewn around house.  Worse still they left iron on and when I got there the ironing board was nearly in flames and badly burnt, 1 hour later and our holiday let and three other adjoining houses would have been burning.  What should I do? I feel like reporting to police as these people should not be allowed in a holiday let again.  They had a 4 star prior host review!  So disheartening.  First two guests loved the house and were amazing.  I’m afraid to let again.  Thanks for any advice.  

[Marie8425]

@Aileen158 

Frustrating  but don't  call police nothing illegal about being  an idiot.

I know it takes some time  to know costs'..

Warn the  guest  and you   also  get an initial reaction if they are going to  argue.

Be polite and professional.

No  guesses at cost.

There was significant unexpected costs  extra cleaning service,  above normal  breakage of glasses aaaaand damage from  an iron left on.

Don't be to detailed.  They know what  they did  and you might  not know it all yet.

Just remember you  are not  dealing  with someone who had respect for you..

[Kia272]

@Aileen158  One 4 star review is not a good record. I would likely have declined these guests. You're new to hosting, so this was a lesson. I'm sorry it happened, but don't let it ruin your hosting gig. You'll learn as you go. And it could have been much, much worse. 

[Shelley159]

@Aileen158 

The vast majority of guests are like your first 2 guests. Every now and again (in your case, unfortunately your 3rd guest!) someone will break glasses and leave garbage. This part you should accept - it doesn't happen too often and you can absorb small losses in your regular price (a bigger challenge may be to buy matching glasses!). The hot iron is a problem and quite scary, but all you can do is ask yourself what you can control. Check or install fire/smoke alarms and fire blankets/extinguishers. Check/upgrade the iron to a reliable model with maximum safety features. Relax knowing you did what you could, and it is unlikely to recur!

[Paula]

Hello @Aileen158,  I'm sorry you had to deal with this situation.

Our experienced Hosts have shared their opinions. Have you had the chance to read them? What did you decide to do in the end?

Please keep us posted 🙏