A guest refused to provide ID however Airbnb intervened on request and the guest sent ID via the site. On the day of the booking 16 August the guest rang to make check in arrangements. He offered to arrive with ID to be photographed but also threatened that Airbnb said that he didnt have to. I pointed out that he had already sent ID and it was left that he was on his way. I did ask my partner to talk to him on the phone re the checkin time. The guest was rude and said he would only talk to me. My partner is sure his accent did not match the ID and his no show is suspicious. The guest rang at 12 noon and by the evening he was a no show despite enquiries re whereabouts via the site and text. I also called him multiple times. The reservation was left by Airbnb for 2 days and they marked it cancelled by host. Ive lost a months booking which is still blocked. Ive written, called and waited but am told this is with a specialised team. On Sunday I called again as this is ruining my business in a peak month. I was told the agent on the phone couldnt help but she would make sure that they did by 10pm that night. They didnt return the call. Im wondering why Airbnb so actively sided with a guest who initially refused to provide ID and why asking for ID made a host so unsuitable they lost a months booking especially as the guest was cooperating.
I always ID guests no one has refused and its Met Police's advice to not host a stranger in your home. I now add it to my website as a policy.
As well as the fine, this has increased my cancellation rate for super host and blocked 30 days. Airbnb clearly made a mistake that they could have resolved by talking to the host or even reading the messages on the site. There is so much you should expect from Airbnb to keep hosts and their guests safe as well as a minimum standard in support Airbnb has failed us.
