AirBNBers have no experience as landlords and don't know anything about tenant's rights, squatter's rights, scams, etc. There really should be a guidebook for first time hosts with basic templates on what to do in X situation: Theft, destruction of property, loud music, harassment, refusing to leave, lack of payment, contacting you outside of AirBNB, etc.
1. Get an Kwikset automatic door lock for $100 and set a temporary code. Do not give keys.
2. Make rule on listing for only 1 persons sleeping overnight, no parties or large gatherings of more than three people.
3. Have a security deposit of $600 and the AirBNB contact form ready to go. You have 14 days to file a complaint with AirBNB to recover some of that money.
4. Get a $45 Foscam camera (https://www.amazon.com/Foscam-Storage-Dialogue-Connection-Security/dp/B07DJ5RSTM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1...) and set it up in main area (you cannot in bedroom, bathroom, etc) to see how many people in house.
5. Download Foscam app on your smart phone, scan the QR code on back of camera to link it up. Login and view.
6. Have them present their driver's license. Tell them that you must know if it is them or not. If they cannot produce an ID, they cannot enter.
7. Take a picture of the license or ID with your smart phone for your records (and to give to police).
8. Don't let them stay 30 consecutive days, they then will get tenant's rights.
9. Don't let them make a deal with you outside of AirBNB to stay longer and pay rent for the month (see above).
10. Change the door lock code after checkout immediately and check for damage and theft. Contact AirBNB immediately with any issues.
If you make a mistake and they are there after 30 days, do the following:
1. Go to google and type "State Marshall's near me".
2. Take $60 and go see him and fill out a "Notice to Quit" form, and write in the name of the person and write "nonpayment of rent and termination of lease by lapse of time". State Marshall will serve them the form and you will go back to pick up the receipt when he is through and gives you a phone call.
3. Wait 3 days after the Airbnber got served the notice to quit form, then go down to the Clerk's Office at the State Government Building near you. Take the Notice to Quit receipt the State Marshall gave you.
4. Fill out a "Summons and Complaint" form
https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/hm032.pdf
or
https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/hm020.pdf
You must personally return to the court with your completed Summons and Complaint for the clerk’s signature on the Summons if you are self-represented. Also, bring the original Notice to Quit with the State Marshal’s Return of Service. Be sure to indicate in numbers 1 (one) and 3 (three) of either Complaint whether it is an oral or written week-to-week, month-to-month or year’s lease.
The clerk will set the return date on the Summons.
After the clerk sets the return date and signs the Summons, you should keep 1 (one) copy of all papers for yourself and give the original and sufficient copies for each defendant to the State Marshal, who will serve a copy on each defendant and return the original to you.
Once the State Marshal returns the original Summons and Complaint to you with the Return of Service noted, you must file them at the clerk’s office with the original Notice to Quit, at least 4 (four) days before the return date on the Summons. When filing these papers, you must pay an entry fee to the clerk. Currently, this fee is $175.00. Payment must be made at the time of filing by cash or check payable to Clerk, Superior Court.
5. After your case, the Housing Court will require you to submit a Military Affidavit with facts stating that no defendant(s) in this action is (are) in the military or naval service of the United States.
6. After your case If a judgment for immediate possession is entered in your favor, either by default or after a hearing, the defendant has a 5 (five)-day Stay of Execution, not counting intervening Sundays, legal holidays, or the date of judgment.
If the defendant has not vacated the premises after the 5 (five) full days expire, you may obtain from the clerk’s office a Summary Process Execution.
https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/hm002.pdf
or
https://www.jud.ct.gov/webforms/forms/hm034.pdf
The Execution must be completed by you and given to the clerk for signature. After the Execution is returned to you, you must give it to the State Marshal for service on the defendant. A State Marshal is the only authorized official to serve a Summary Process (Eviction) Execution, which is necessary for the removal of a tenant(s) and personal items from the property.
The Execution informs the defendant that they must vacate the premises within a minimum of 24 (twenty-four) hours or be physically removed from the premises.
7. The AirBNBer's stuff. You -- Yes you! - must PAY $$$$$ to the State Marshall to have the stuff removed and stored.
See the long and expensive process of evicting someone? Our country is on the side of tenants and not landlords/common sense/right vs wrong. Once you go through this shocking process, you will discover it is not worth to be nice and accommodating and also realize this is why many landlords are pushy aggressive jerks. Be one also.
