Theft

[Andrea139]

What if a guest steals something in the hosts home?

[Clare0]

 AGGH! @Andrea139 You don't have a security deposti!  How 'come?  What was stolen? Normally, the host would ask the guest about the item.  It's really hard to prove that a guest stole something.  Most hosts don't leave anything of significant value out where guests have access to it. 

Do you have homeowner's insurance that covers vacation rentals?

Here are some help files that I think you should read:

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/Adding-a-Security-Deposit-a-Community-Help-Guide/m-p/533...

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/General-Hosting/The-Resolution-Center-A-Community-Help-Guide-Request...

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/Contact-Airbnb-A-Community-Help-Guide/m-p/16165/highligh...

I would also encourage you to set a minimum stay of 2 nights on your listing.  Why?  Because you don't want somebody renting your place on a Saturday night as a venue for a party.  It happens all the time.  

Sorry about your loss. 

[Wren2]

Hi Andrea. I'm sorry to hear youve has trouble. I've recently had a family of four walk off with the towels (big bathsheets), who've promised for the past two weeks to post them back and haven't. It's not a major cost to replace, but inconvenient as im only just starting on Airbnb.  When youre inviting people into your own home, you dont expect theft. My mistake ( i guess) was allowing someone with no review history to come and stay.

What can i do to recover them? I've reminded them by text several times over the past two weeks and today my threat to post a bad review and report them to Airbnb, got me very abusive responses. What else can a host do??  

Kind regards, Wren 

[Donna15]

@Wren2, if you intend to write a bad review, you had better do it quickly, as there's a 14-day limit within which you can post it. 

You should report them to AirBnB in any case. It's unlikely you'll get the towels back. You can do this by flagging their profile.

Or try the Resolutions Center.

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/General-Hosting/The-Resolution-Center-A-Community-Help-Guide-Request...

[Wren2]

Thanks Donna, good idea! 

[Robert151]

Housekeeping reported "at least 5 wash sloths missing" and noted on carpet blue Play-Doh stains which they cannot remove. Another argument for insisting on a security deposit, I suppose.

[Sean-Robert0]

Potential guest was given time in a home to Check it all out and  ended up stealing over $400 in bedding and linens. I've reached out to him and his director and silence.  Is there any recourse?  

[David126]

@Sean-Robert0

Have you reported the Theft to the Police?

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

@Sean-Robert0 No recourse through Airbnb as this was only a potential guest. This is why Airbnb insists you NEVER give potential guests your address or show the listing prior to reservation. You’ll need to contact the police and go through normal means of theft Resolution.