I have been a host for many years and I recently experienced a disturbing exchange with a potential guest.

[LeighAnn2]

I had a booking request from a potential guest with 0 reviews. His request contained no information. Now, with Airbnb, there is no info about guests...no photos, no name, etc. it’s all blind. I have to go solely on the communication exchange. I asked the guest for clarification regarding their stay. I received a two word response so, basically, no response. I then declined the reservation stating that I did not gave enough info. About the stay. 

I gave a polite explanation to the potential guest. He proceeded to threaten me. I immediately reported him to Airbnb. I gave had no response. Nothing. I am thankful that I trusted my instincts, however, it’s evident that Airbnb is not screening members. You are very much in your own so be aware snd do not take reservations without information. Ask questions. Be comfortable!

[Emiel1]

@LeighAnn2 

I noticed there is an strong increase in requests from guests having (new) accounts without any information. I would suggest such guests can not make booking requests (only inquiries). Then after some unsatisfying communication no decline is needed and acceptance rate of the host is not affected by turning away these anonymous and unresponsive people.

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@LeighAnn2 @Emiel1 

I have long enjoyed hosting newbies to the platform. I only take requests, and when one comes to my thread without anything on their profile page I thank them, welcome them, and politely request that they complete their profile and photo. I also ask their goals and plans for the stay and the visit here. It works, and it makes friends. 

[LeighAnn2]

I agree. I declined..thankfully. Subsequent correspondence turned out this guy was a creep. I trusted my instincts. 
My advice to others is to trust your instincts. I welcome new people repeatedly, but if a guest can not offer the basic courtesies at introduction, you need to run. 

I am terribly disappointed the lac standards at Airbnb. I immediately reported the threat. I received a threat. No response. 

I am a super host for many many years. Sadly, once I received this threat, I decided it’s best not to use Sirbnb anymore. 

[Brian2036]

@LeighAnn2 

Good call, and it’s nice that the guest instantly backed up your instinctive reaction by proving himself to be a jerk. Crisis averted.

@Emiel1 : excellent suggestion. I would definitely be in favor of that and it would help out CS as well by reducing calls from uneasy hosts.

[Colleen253]

@Brian2036 @LeighAnn2 Yes, it's always a relief, and so helpful, when the guest starts waving their red flags right off the bat. I recently had a request from someone with one review that mentioned smoking, a mess, and late checkout. I declined and mentioned the review as my concern. They answered back 'oh, that was friends I had over at that apartment. It wasn't my fault.' Thank you for cementing my doubts about you, dear. The next day I had another request, and then an inquiry, for the same dates, clearly from associates of this person, still trying to book. Ugh. 

[Brian2036]

@LeighAnn2 @Colleen253 @Kitty-and-Creek0 @Emiel1 

I really have to wonder what kind of ignoranus thinks that threatening a host is going to get them something they want.

Can’t they think of other options?

[Laura2592]

@LeighAnn2 go back through this forum and read some of my Threads about guests I've declined on inquiry. There are some really squirrely folks out there! I've been threatened a few times or had the guest demand more information on why I declined.  I always just say "I can't provide any more information at this time. I wish you the best on finding a great place to stay that suits your needs. "

Some people do not handle rejection well. But always remember...its your property.  You have an obligation to protect your investment.  Never feel badly about a declination especially when the person is rude. Never an excuse for rudeness,  ever. 

[Linda108]

Time and time again, there are posts from seasoned hosts that support the gut reaction is to be trusted.  Like several of you, I enjoy hosting people new to Air BNB.  When I respond to a sparse communication and profile, I preface my request for information with "providing the information I request may make it easier for future hosts to easily approve your requests, as you become a valued member of the guest community."  It seems to work in reducing some of the defensiveness that might come with a decline.

[Hazem17]

It would be nice if there was an option provided by AirBnB to request a "Renters Application" be filled out. Host can then pay AirBnB a small fee to process a soft credit check on the applicant before accepting. The application with all the renter's information would then be supplied to the host for an additional fee if the booking is not confirmed, or for no additional fee if confirmed.

[Laura2592]

@Hazem17 that's called being a landlord.  You are much better off doing that without "help" from Airbnb.  This platform is based on the short term model (ie what hotels do) rather than the long term model despite their urgency to make everyone host longer stays. Hotels don't require a credit check so it's very unlikely Airbnb would either. 

[Ryan2352]

So one thing I do is I never decline an inquiry.  If someone gives me a BS two word response or I don't feel comfortable renting to them, I just let the request expire.  The only aspect AB&B looks at for the "Responds within" metric is your initial reply.  If you decline, you have a chance for the person to come back and be angry.  If you let it expire, that generally will end the conversation.

I have one property that allows instant bookings, but I activated every one of AB&B's "hoops" for them to jump through.  While not extensive, it at least weeds out the new account scammers.  I'll still engage the guest after booking and I've never gotten to the inbox to ask the reason for the stay faster than the guest has gotten there to tell me why they're coming to town.

[Sarah977]

@Ryan2352  Bad strategy. That is not the way to handle inquiries from guests you don't want. Never let an Inquiry or Request expire, it lowers your response rate.

There is no need to either pre-approve nor decline an Inquiry. You only have to message the  guest back within 24 hours to fulfill your obligations and receive no penalties or lowering of stats.

For a Request, you must accept or decline within 24 hours. If the Request is inappropriate and you would decline it, first try to encourage the guest to withdraw it, as you can't accommodate them.

Letting a request expire counts as a decline and lowers your acceptance rate.

[Ryan2352]

Hi @Sarah977,

Thanks Sarah, however I think I was not clear in my response and I apologize for that.  I always respond to the applicant, it's just that I tell them it won't be a good fit through the message thread and not the decline feature.  I don't leave them guessing or wondering.  Now if they only give me a one or two word response to my questions (or don't respond at all) and don't respond to follow-up questions, or if they "ghost me" then I'm happy to let the conversation mutually expire.

I have always had a 100% response rate, even when I regularly used this tactic.  Now I almost exclusively get good inquiries and booking requests, so I seldom have to do this anymore.

When I first started, I had a LOT of bad requests that I did decline through the system.  It got to where AB&B displayed a warning metric on my dashboard.  This method seemed to fix the issue.

[Sarah977]

@Ryan2352  Sorry I misunderstood. When a host talks about letting an inquiry or request expire, that generally means they haven't answered at all. 

I have never declined an inquiry either. In fact, I've never declined a request either. I've been really lucky in that I have never gotten an inappropriate or red flag request ( and I have never used IB). Everyone who has sent a request seems to have been the type of guest who actually reads all the listing info. If their initial message isn't informative, I'll prompt them by messaging back " Hi XX,  thanks for the request. Just want to make sure you're aware that____ (something buried in my listing info or something that could be a deal breaker, like my having a dog).

That has always elicited a more informative response.

I've certainly had some clueless inquiries ("So is it really just for 1 person?" - my listing title includes "For solo travelers") but it's not hard to get those folks to go away 🙂