Guest ID

[Charles1116]

Hi all

We're new to hosting and are wondering what our normal expectations should be for guest ID?

For example, we've had a new enquiry from a guest (Chinese) whose profile only shows that he has logged a phone number with Airbnb - ie no identity, no email address and no profile photo.

Is this normal and should we be concerned?

Thanks for any advice!

Charles

[Emiel1]

@Charles1116 

A profile photo and an ID verified are not mandatory:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1170/what-are-the-requirements-to-book-on-airbnb

But you can ask he guest to verify ID before proceeding with a booking request.

On Instant Book you can also set some requirements.

About the ID:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1237/how-does-it-work-when-airbnb-verifies-your-identity

[Charles1116]

Thanks @Emiel1 , much appreciated. 

Do you ever accept guests without ID verification and a photo?

[Anonymous]

@Charles1116  Even without Instant Book, you can still stipulate in your House Rules that you only accept requests from guests with Verified ID, and/or that all guests must present an ID upon arrival for registration at check-in in order to access the home. I wouldn't put too much trust in Verified ID as a safeguard; at best, the added friction may be a filter against some of the laziest scammers.

[Charles1116]

@Anonymous , thanks for the helpful and realistic reply 🙂

[Colleen253]

I know first hand that verified id really means nothing. I require it only as it adds another layer to the guest selection process. Airbnb required me to jump through certain hoops to host on the platform, so to me it's only fair that anyone I host has to jump through the same hoops. And, if someone doesn't want to go through the process of verifying their id, then I probably don't want them as a guest.

Here is how you can automatically require guests to be verified.

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/272/can-i-require-guests-to-be-verified-before-booking

@Charles1116 

[Charles1116]

@Colleen253  that's a good point well made - thanks!