@Paul75 If he's paid for the first night he wasn't there, then you're quids in! So I wouldn't stress too much! (So long as he doesn't want a free or extra night at the end instead!)
- I do understand tho' that it's worrying when guests don't communicate their intentions as we'd like, I've been there! I too am greatly reassured when a guest tells me exactly when they will arrive, & sticks to it. But like Inna22 said, we don't all think the same!
I get headaches with guests who are night workers, checking in at 8am after a shift at the hospital. The good ones ask beforehand if that's OK, the not so good ones just tell me! And some night workers book the wrong date; for me, night workers need to book the night BEFORE 8am arrival, but many book the evening after, wrongly. Usually the ones who fail to ask & negotiate appropriately are new to Airbnb & don't understand how private homes differ from hotels.
When I get a guest who arrives having done everything wrong at the communication stage, I often engineer an informal, casual chat, asking them if they understand the difference between Airbnb & other types of accommodation. - NOT a confrontational telling off, not a reading of the riot act, but a "Did-you-know-it-all started-with-3-airbeds-in-someone's-living-room?" chat.. (Hopefully they then see our modest offerings are luxury in comparison!) - I also then say that home share is not a 'normal' British B&B, it's more like being a short-term lodger, or visiting family, it's not serviced, & clearing up after yourself is the norm. - I've hoped to avert many a negative review this way!
I read your reviews Paul, most of which are excellent. I'm sorry you got about 4 stinkers from people who clearly had unrealistic expectations of home share, & of whom that grand airbnb review phrase "better suited to a hotel" applies! We all get those once in a while! As time has gone on, I've added more & more disclaimers to my listing description, that my place is 'lived in', to ward off the fussy!
Be encouraged, you're doing great!
