Renting office space versus staying in an Airbnb

[Gordon0]

Most recent guest asks before booking if I have decent wifi. Didn’t think much of it.

On checking in he tells me he’s here as he doesn’t have decent wifi at home and it’s cheaper than renting office space. He’s working with a business halfway round the world, which means his Zoom calls begin at 4am. He’s on calls until 4pm.

I’ve got unlimited bandwidth, thankfully, as he’s maxing it out.

My question is, would you mention any of this in your review if you had a guest like this? 

[John2406]

Hi @Gordon0 

I would ask of you, whether you promote the facilities you have for business Guests, for if you have one such Guest who wants to benefit from your great WiFi, then there may be many more who would like to gain the same!?!

I certainly would highlight in your review of the Guest  you were really pleased that he'd discovered one of the great benefits of your place to businesses.

Ok, so maybe it isn't something you'd wish to highlight, but on the positive side, you do have a service that many business-people would find most attractive, over and above everything else you provide!

Highlighting the positives of what your Guest found extremely useful for his needs, could well turn out to be more lucrative for you and for future Guests - just make certain that the Ts&C's of your "unlimited" Contract don't have any 

little caveats hidden within them!

[Sarah977]

@Gordon0  If he's disturbing you with his 4 am Zoom calls, for sure I'd mention that in the review. Has he actually been sleeping and showering at your place, or is he just there to work and goes home? I would maybe mention whatever is factual in the review. "Not a typical stay, XX booked to use as office space, as Wifi was poor at his home. Heavy user of bandwidth, so good thing we have unlimited service. Otherwise an unobtrusive, self-sufficient guest who didn't make any mess, as the space was used for business purposes."

Something like that, whatever is true. 

[Gordon0]

Yup, he's been staying here too, and because of the time he's working, he's taking showers at odd times., @Sarah977. Haven't experienced this sort of guest before, so a little perplexed.

[Colleen253]

@Gordon0 Zoom calls through the wee hours could definitely impact the host and other guests in a home share set up, and for some hosts, the heavy bandwidth usage could be an issue. So yes, mention it. This guest would perhaps be better suited to an entire place listing. 

[Anonymous]

@Gordon0   None of what this guest did would seem particularly out of line if he'd gotten the green light from you before booking.  But it's really not cool that he only announced at check-in that he intended to use your home for off-label purposes, especially ones that require extra-heavy use of your amenities. That's a bait-and-switch as far as I'm concerned.

And if this person is that inconsiderate, I doubt he'd be any more desirable in an Entire Home property.  This guest would definitely merit a thumbs-down to prevent him from instant booking with selective hosts, and in your written review you might alert hosts to verify the purpose and requirements for his stay before confirming a booking. 

[Gordon0]

Yep, @Anonymous, it's deffo the "you're cheaper than renting an office space" that jarred as he walked though my door. So cocky with it too.  

[Brian2036]

@Gordon0 

Well, that’s something I wouldn’t have expected.

I guess, if he’s not disturbing or inconveniencing you, my only concern would be that there is something illegal going on.

It seems odd that he couldn’t upgrade his wifi at home a whole lot cheaper than the rental cost.

[Anonymous]

@Brian2036   "The Mafia having a Zoom meeting" is an improv sketch just waiting to happen.

[Gordon0]

Love this, @Anonymous. Patent that idea. 

[Gordon0]

He lives in the countryside, @Brian2036, and some parts of the UK do suffer with rubbish broadband. It was weird tho waking up at 4am (for a pee - I'm 55!) to hear him rattling away on a call.

[Brian2036]

@Gordon0 

Most of the US has crappy WiFi although that might be about to change.

 I really don’t know how fast “fast” is but I could, theoretically, increase the quality of my satellite service if I wanted to pay a lot more.

 I don’t. It probably wouldn’t be nearly as fast as yours no matter how much I pay.

[Lawrene0]

I cannot upgrade my home wifi at any price, @Brian2036 . Nothing better is available. But the villages on either side of me, at 2 km and 5 km away, have unlimited fiber optics. 

There are no Airbnbs in those villages, but if there were, I suppose I would consider renting one if I had 12 hours of important meetings per day. 

I would definitely inquire first to tell the host what was up and see whether they minded me letting myself in at 4 am to overuse an amenity all day. 

I would mention it in the review, @Gordon0 , but in the way @John2406 and @Sarah977 suggest, making it sound a positive while giving future hosts a heads up that they may want to ask a few questions. 

[Laura2592]

@Gordon0 wow, I would be annoyed if I shared a home with this guest. I would say something like:

"So and so was a business professional who was polite and friendly. We did not expect that his work hours were pre-dawn to late afternoon, so fellow hosts may want to check in before booking to ensure a home share situation will work and that you have adequate connectivity. Overall a neat and pleasant guest (if true)." 

[Gordon0]

I think this one pretty much nails it, @Laura2592. Thanks.