Another My First Negative Review and a Devious Idea

[Clay29]

Hi Hosts,

I have to leave my first negative review and I am not feeling bad about it but the guest is most certainly not entitled to do the same and I want to try to prevent it. My review will be simple and true:

"Substances were smoked in the apartment in violation of the rules and I found a cigarette lighter on the floor. The apartment was left straigt but there were out of place stains on furniture and pillows not consistent with normal use."

As to why the above, there is a nearly impermeable thick, syrupy odor in the unit that I can smell from outside and downstairs with the windows open. Despite saying she would be clean, there's food left on the floor, under the bed, mud stains on pillows and the back of the couch that's against the wall - a complete nightmare. Under the sharing concept, I've split the cost of cleaning and they only pay $30 dollars but this guest has done more damage than they've paid in total to stay. I intend to charge them; However, I know with respect to the way I present the unit, answer questions and the lack of addressable issues brought to me, they have zero real complaints.

I've brought this to the attention of Airbnb but have not filed a resolution. Now that I've done that, is the guest contacted ? Second, I have delayed my review which I normally do immediately after checkout as I find the I tend to get more guest reviews. I don't care if she ignores the review, but in case she doesn't,  I've considered messaging her in advance:

"Sorry X but I was caught up in work and did not have time to complete your review but have now. Thank you for choosing me and I hope you enjoyed your stay."

There's nothing untrue about the above or anything to suggest I would welcome them back but it may be devious enough to assuage them into thinking they got away with it and not leave a retaliatory review. I've never had a bad review but given Airbnb's practical policy of smoking doesn't matter even though it's one of the most damaging things a guest can do, I doubt I'll have any luck getting it expunged.

Is this a bad way to go about it ?

Clay

[Sarah977]

@Clay29  In the future- review comments like "I found a lighter on the floor" aren't relevant.  There is nothing illegal nor against anyone's house rules for a guest to possess a lighter, nor to leave it behind. Keep comments general unless there is good reason to go into detail. "Extensive evidence of smoking indoors" is all other hosts need to know. 

[Brian2036]

@Clay29 

Just for future reference, I recently purchased an inexpensive ozone generator from Amazon and I am extremely impressed with it.

 I put it in the musty, dusty basement of the chalet (where guests are not supposed to go anyway,) set the timer for two hours, and when we went back the next day the basement smelled as fresh as all outdoors.

 The entire house was deodorized as well, because apparently ozone is lighter than air. The upstairs windows were open so there was probably some chimney effect.

Anyway, I think it would probably eliminate smoky, doggy, or odd cooking odors in short order.

I’ve come to the conclusion that people are going to smoke tobacco and other substances in the house, particularly in foul weather, no matter what I say, and with wood heat it’s not much of an issue anyway.

Some people feel that the faint woodsmoke odor enhances the experience, but whenever it becomes excessive I’ll stay out for 24 hours and light off the ozone machine.

[Clay29]

I got one too last night on Amazon prime. Impatient, I went out and rented another this morning and it could be working. I am out of the unit but checking it smells like Febreze and swimming pool but at least that's better than before.  

My next guest is due in 3 days. As it appears now, I will just have to eat all the costs or surely risk a bad review going through the resolution center which I can only do up to the next guest. I probably would get nowhere anyway. 

In truth I liked her but it was one of those young boyfriend/girlfriend situations where you ask why is she with that guy. I don't know who was most responsible but she was gone by day working while the blinds stayed closed and he stayed home. You know what I guess. It's a shame it wasn't under his account but there may already be a good reason it was not.

[Clay29]

I got the review and it was positive. Then,  I got a note from her and she was upset at my review which I understand. I do feel bad having to do it but I would also feel bad not letting other hosts know. The clean up costs are significant but I will let them go. I really didn't want to go through this at all. I will make a much stronger effort in the future to point out the rules before the guest arrives in hope that this won't happen again. 

[Brian2036]

@Clay29 

I’m glad it worked out well for you and I hope you don’t waste too much pity on the guests.

They disrespected your home and they deserve much worse than they got.

There’s only so much you can do to prevent future abuse, but your review should help to put future guests from ignoring your rules.