Anyone else notice Airbnb has removed the NO CHILDREN feature from host settings?

[Kelly65]

I discovered today that Airbnb have removed the feature that enables hosts to state they don't accommodate children 12yrs and under. They did so without my consent or knowledge and to date I have received no written advice of this change. Fortunately I do not use instant book and this is yet another reason why I never will. I find Airbnb's conduct to be sneaky, dishonest and disrespectful of hosts policies that they set for their own properties. I state in household rules that we accommodate adults 18yrs and over only and guests must agree to this when submitting a booking request and advise the number of guests, ages and purpose of their trip for our consideration. 

[Sudsrung0]

@Kelly65 

Yep, we have loads of local fruit most guest enjoy I always send them down to the markets,

We did put a blender in the apartment that gets used a lot,

[Christina163]

would love to know what other sites you like. I have VRBO, Trip Advisor. I use Zillow. I won't use booking.com bc everything on there is instant.

[Debra300]

@Christina163,

Like Trip Advisor, on Booking and Expedia hosts have the ability to communicate with guests before the payment is processed because they can handle the transaction directly, which saves 5% in fees that the platform charges for payment process.  This also allows hosts to have the guests' credit/debit card number.  Which provides incentive for guests to be more conscientious about their behavior during the stay and use of the rental.  Additionally, these platforms don't override your chosen cancellation policy or interfere with hosts collecting for damages or house rule breaches.

@Kelly65,

I think my use of the word "argue" may have been misinterpreted.  What I meant is that some adult guest's may try to reduce the relevance of the safety matters, and say that they are not applicable to their children because of whatever reason they give.  

[Christina163]

I didn’t know you’re allowed to ask someone on vrbo for their credit card. 

[Debra300]

@Christina163,

I don't think you can ask a Vrbo guest for their credit card.  I said hosts can handle the payments on TripAdvisor, Booking and Expedia.  I use Square and Stripe to for card processing.

[Christina163]

I just signed back on for booking.com 

they are not making hosts accept instant bookings anymore. 
they are syndicated on Google as well.

[Kelly65]

I use Trip Advisor, Home Away Stayz, Booking.com, Aura and I created my own website and take bookings direct. Booking.com is the platform I get the highest nightly rate on, which is just as well given they take 15% comms... but I've rarely ever had a difficult guest via that platform and I almost never have them via my own website.

[Gillian166]

@Kelly65  interesting you say that, because I had a bad experience with BDC. in fact, all 6 bookings range from meh to a nasty bogan couple who stole about $200 worth of stuff. I find ABB to be pretty diverse in its customer base. 

[Huma0]

@Debra300 

Thanks for this information. I was aware that Airbnb had moved the not suitable for children bit to the health and safety, which I think is a sneaky move. How many guests are going to see that now? If they are going to do this, it should at least be in the top three points that display at the bottom of the landing page, not in the section you have to click on to see the rest.

I was also made aware recently (by Susan) that having that box checked did not mean that guests were shown this in searches and that they could still request to book with children regardless. I wasn't very happy to hear that.

What I did not realise was that this was already the case. That would explain why I kept getting guests with kids attempting to book with me in the past (less so now that I only do long stays). 

Also, this is off topic, but I just noticed other changes to how the house rules are displayed. The smoking policy used to be on the list on the landing page, rather than in the 'read more' section. That to me is REALLY important. Why have they hidden that now too?

[Flavia202]

Thanks for sharing, @Debra300 .  

[Sudsrung0]

@Kelly65 

I also dont allow kids and infants, we as host dont consider to be a safe, we have floor to ceiling windows.

I got some abuse a while ago from a guest because I refused him and 1 year old,

I dont need airbnb telling me what I should do, If I say no kids then I mean it,

On top of that the washing machine going all day

[Kelly65]

Completely agree! I had a booking request once from a woman with three kids. I accommodate 1-3 guests max and adults only. Declined it on that basis, then not less than 10 minutes later, she booked via my property website direct. Recognising the name I cancelled it, refunded her and reiterated that we don't accommodate children. I had to tell her if she tried to book again and disregarded the policy, any refund for cancellation would exclude credit card processing fees. Some people are just so dishonest and have zero respect or shame. She even initially tried to feign lack of awareness as though she thought I didn't realise she was the same person I'd just spoken to on Airbnb. Hosting is a reminder of the ugly element that exists in some people and it is scarey to think who could be coming into your home.

[Gillian166]

I've just hosted a woman who booked our couple's suite for her anniversary, she then moved the date, and turned up with her 10yo daughter instead. Looking at her reviews, she does this a lot apparently, so I'll be sure to mention it in my review as well. It wasn't a big deal, but we specifically created that space for couples only, and I'm not sure why people need to be dishonest like that. @Kelly65 

[Kelly65]

It's disappointing when guests do this, but very intentional. it comes down to a lack of respect. I dislike the Airbnb review system in this regard, as guests know they have hosts over a barrel and can exploit them... once your reputation and listing have been maliciously and falsely trashed, it's too late to just leave a review in response.

Is your couples suite in your home? That too me makes her move all the move shocking if it is, as they know you will be aware they have violated the booking conditions and clearly are unafraid of consequences.

Ahhhh... sometimes, I just block my calendar and it is nice to have a night here and there with NO guests here. Silence and no stress. I have a returning Airbnb guest coming tomorrow night for 5 nights and he was soooooo incredibly quiet last time, so I am looking forward to that one.

[Gillian166]

@Sudsrung0  we had a group of 4 mums, with 2 kids stay for 1 night, and they used the washing machine! we found a toddler sock in it. honestly, an overnight stay and they had to wash something!