Need advice

[Kyle1201]

Hello,

My partner and I are new Airbnb hosts and we were really excited for our first booking this past weekend of 3 people for 2 nights. It was a young couple and to make a long story short they had some friends over (3 additional total of 6 people) who stayed and had a small party, a few of them ended up throwing up on the bedding, in the bathroom sinks outside etc, there was some minor damaged due to the partying, ie small pot outside, some paint from the cabinets is damaged but nothing to serious. I am looking for advice on what to do. Should we note these things and charge them for the damage and for having to now clean the bedding with vomit on them or should we just chalk it up to hosting?

[Snehal1]

Welcome to hosting! I am so sorry your very first booking turned into a nightmare, but please do not just "chalk it up to hosting." You absolutely need to hold these guests accountable.

As a fellow host, here is my biggest piece of advice to protect your space going forward and resolve this specific issue:    Check Your House Rules First: Look closely at what is currently mentioned in your House Rules. Do you explicitly state "No parties" or "No unregistered extra guests"? If you haven’t explicitly stated these limitations yet, make these rules immediately for all future bookings so you have legal backing from Airbnb. Document the Extra Guests: If you have exterior camera footage or written proof showing 6 people stayed instead of the booked 3, submit that to Airbnb Support as well. You can charge an extra-guest fee if that is part of your pricing structure.    Charge for the Damages & Extra Cleaning: Do not absorb the cost of cleaning up vomit or repairing paint. Take clear, timestamped photos of all the damage, the ruined bedding, and the mess. Get professional cleaning or replacement receipts, and file a claim through the Airbnb Resolution Centre (AirCover) immediately. You must do this before your next guest checks in.    Do not let bad guests discourage you! Set strict house rules moving forward, use AirCover to get paid for the damages, and leave an honest review to warn other hosts. 

[Greystone0]

Hi @Kyle1201  - sorry to hear about this result, how frustrating. Here's some general thoughts on such a situation:

- over occupancy / more than reserved amount - this happens A LOT via this platform and so suggest that you firm up how you vet each reservation along with heavier communication on this idea. Just based on your description it seems like the guest was within your occupancy limits but failed to include these guests in the reservation. It is on the host shoulders to distinguish these occupancy ideas from each other. If you aren't already, you should get written confirmation that what they reserved is accurate - and do this multiple times on our end and almost every time, something is off or under represented. 

- your listing doesn't mention exterior security cameras? I would suggest installing and then disclose of course and add that these are used for monitoring occupancy alsong with the safety of the home. 

- minor damage - just based on what you mentioned here, this wouldn't be something I would charge for. And the damage mentioned seems like it could come from just regular guests doing nothing special. It happens.

- vomit on linens - in theory, this should be treatable and since bed linens are washed anyway, not outside of a normal turnaround. This may take extra effort, but instead of vomit could be food or sauce or blood, or dirt or oil or sap or 100 other things. Stain fighiting needs to be one of your new super powers!

- you can review the guest and just add the facts - mention they had more than reserved amount and left vomit smelling stains behind and that you wouldn't host again. 

- and not part of your question, but respectfully, I would re-consider your occupancy of "6"  to something less. I would not use the blow up mattress to add two more people. I would stick to the beds you have in bedrooms.

Hopefully that is some food for thought.

Good luck with hosting! 

[Shelley159]

I agree with @Greystone0 @Kyle1201 

I wouldn't waste energy trying to charge the guests, although you have grounds to do so.

I'd rather focus exclusively on attracting better guests. Don't enable them to overfill the space, and consider a 3-night minimum over weekends. I know that may be a fantasy in the off season, but one can try until close to the time and reduce the minimum if necessary to get booked. Be careful with discounts over weekends.