Are there legal implications to giving keys to the friend of a guest?

[Monique677]

My guest will arrive late and has asked me to give the key to a friend of hers who lives in the city, who will then pick her up from the airport. I assume I may not have a leg to stand on legally if something happens to my home, but I can't prove that the confirmed guest was the one given the keys

[Cathie19]

Firstly @Monique677 , did this conversation take place on the Airbnb message board?

Technically, if the space is said to be dirty, or anything is damaged, the guest can say it happened before they took over the key. Not their problem! 

- Are you handing your key over to a local? Not something I would do....

- Make sure check in time is NOT prior to the listed time.

- Take time stamped photos of the space and contents (open cupboards as well) to show the space is exactly as you left it, before handing over the key.

Do this without anyone present, but state that you always take photo documentation prior to each checkin, if there are disputes.

Essentially, you are handing your key to a stranger who you have no details or recourse to.

Can you not meet the guest on arrival? You will be reviewed on your friendliness and ease of check in.

The only time I would be willing to do this is when it has been an adult child of the booking guest. I would take a copy of their drivers license and everything recorded on the message board.