Our Guests are smoking!

[Elizabeth4092]

We have a strict No Smoking policy, neither in the apartment nor anywhere on the property.  I can see on our outdoor security cameras that they are smoking on the patio with the apartment door open. 

They arrived on Wednesday night and are scheduled to leave on Friday morning. 

I want them out now. 

What do I do?

[Helen3]

Hi @Elizabeth4092 

Appreciate it's frustrating when guests break your house rules .

did you remind guests there was no smoking outside as well as in as part of your check in process. (Many guests just don't read house rules). 

airbnb won't allow you to just evict the guests penalty free unless you first give them an opportunity to correct their behaviour.

send the guests a polite message to remind them no smoking applies to both outside as well as inside the property )as mentioned in your house rules. Asked them to acknowledge your house rule and confirm they won't be continuing to smoke outside .

them if they continue you can get Airbnb to cancel so you can evict them. 

[Greystone0 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Elizabeth4092  - 

I would leave it alone, I would not say anything. It's a two night reservation and they are outside. Often, unless you spell it out, guests may assume outside is ok for smoking.

Since you only have 5 reviews, it would be difficult for anything less than 5 stars to be absorbed by your ratings.

I would keep the footage of the smokers saved so that if you need evidence of smoking on your property you have it handy. If the property 'smells' or if there is some sort of damage from a cigarette you then have the proof you need.

However, there is every chance that you will find nothing wrong. Just rude guests, which happens. 

And then you should be proactive for future:

- add an update to your initial message process like "no smoking premises, includes outdoor areas, so if you have a smoker in your group we wouldn't be a good match" or some such thing. 

- add a no smoking sign to this exterior area, and so on

- add more clarification to your house rules that it is a no smoking premises and includes outdoor XXX areas, and so on.

- and if you review the guest you can make a factual comment like, smokers not welcome here so unfortunately we wouldn't host again.

Good luck

[Elizabeth4092]

Excellent advice @Greystone0 .  I appreciate it. Thank you.