New host and guest reveiws

[Kate1995]

Hello we are new to hosting and just listed our guesthouse.  Can some one please advise the process if we receive a booking request and after reading the guest reviews do not wish to proceed with the request.  Do we simply select Decline?

[Sarah977]

@Kate1995  If the guest has bad reviews, yes, decline. If a guest asks you to accommodate things you don't, like to bring a dog to a no pets listing, exceed your max guest count, etc. just message back explaining that you can't  accommodate that and to please withdraw the request so they can find a place that is suitable for them. If you can get them to withdraw it before the 24 hr.  deadline runs out, you can avoid declining.

And are you aware of the difference between an Inquiry and a Request? If it's an inquiry, all you have to do is message back, you don't have to either pre-approve or decline.

[Kate1995]

Thank you so much for this information, it is greatly appreciated 

[Helen3]

Why not set up your listing so you only accept bookings for guests with positive reviews.

Do have a look at Airbnb Help it's a great resource for new hosts to help you familiarise yourself with the basics of how Airbnb works @Kate1995 

There are also tutorials and guides on this community centre for new hosts. 

[Sarah977]

@Helen3  You can only do that if you use Instant Book. And then if the guest doesn't qualify to IB, they will still send a booking request.