Throwing Out a Guest if I am Out of Town

[Alexander2177]

Greetings - I didn't see any questions about this. If I am out of town, how do I throw someone out of an Airbnb that is breaking rules, Airbnb says they have to go, etc.?

I have a neighbor who does cleanings, watches the place, etc., but they don't have any legal right to act as my representative besides my verbal permission.

Basically if the situation came down to having a guest removed, is it just a simple call to the police stating I am the owner? Can I somehow empower my neighbor to act as my representative to police?

My concern is that if it came down to this and the guest said to the police - "Well I'll leave if the owner says so, but who the heck is this guy (the neighbor) telling me to leave? And that guy on the phone could be anyone." What would happen?

I am in Delaware. Thank you.

[Alexander2177]

Spoke to my local police department. They instructed me to have something in writing and notarized indicating that person has my permission to remove someone. Going to have my lawyer draft something up next time I see him.

[Rebecca]

Hi @Alexander2177 👋

Thank you so much for coming back and sharing this with us. Has this helped you with your current guest or will you do this going forward? 

[Alexander2177]

I haven't had this happen yet thankfully. I go out of town often, and was thinking what if something does happen? Can the police use a phone call from me without showing ID? Or would they question my neighbor why he can throw someone out of another apartment?

Probably would never be an issue. I assume most guests leave when you tell them to.

[Gernide0]

Hi Alexander2177,

This is a really important question, especially for hosts who travel.

Here’s how most of us handle situations like this when we’re out of town:

1. If a guest is breaking house rules, your first step is always to contact Airbnb Support
They can officially message the guest, document the issue, and — if needed — instruct them to leave.
Having Airbnb involved gives you a solid record and takes some pressure off you and your neighbor.

2. You can have someone act on your behalf, but they need to be listed as a co-host
Co-hosts are recognized by Airbnb, so if something escalates, they are viewed as an authorized person for the property.
Your neighbor doesn’t need legal power — they just need to be added inside your listing under Co-hosts.

3. In an emergency or safety situation, police involvement is always handled by the authorities themselves
If the police arrive and the guest is violating the rules or refusing to leave after Airbnb’s instruction, the officers make the decision based on the situation — you don’t need to physically be there.
Your neighbor’s role is simply to let them in and explain the situation.

4. To avoid confusion, leave a note in your House Manual
Something simple like:
“Authorized local contact: ___”
This helps if someone on-site needs to speak with the guest or authorities.

5. Many hosts also keep a quick ‘break-in-case-of-issue’ message ready
Airbnb Support + a listed co-host is the fastest combination.

You’re asking all the right questions — it shows you’re thinking ahead and protecting your space. 🌟
Once you add your neighbor as a co-host and keep Airbnb looped in, you’ll have solid coverage even when you’re not nearby.

---

[Alexander2177]

I am guessing you have something legal in writing with that "cohost" or "property manager" that gives them permission to act on your behalf? That's what I think I need here. I've been able to handle everything from afar when out of town, but if there's ever that emergency, I'll need a document stating my neighbor can represent me to the police, throw someone out, etc.

[Helen3]

If you don't live locally you need a cohost who would be able to go to the premises @Alexander2177 

If this is a service you are paying your neighbour to provide you can add them as a cohost to your listing. 

[Alexander2177]

I would think the police wouldn't necessarily recognize "cohost" from the Airbnb platform as giving that person authority to remove someone from the premises. They may... but I feel like it could get hairy and if I'm out of town, I won't be able to return right away to remove someone.

I'm going to get an explicit notarized document that states he can represent me. That's what the police instructed me to do.

[Wendy-May0]

The main hurdle is that police treat this as a civil matter, and they will not act on verbal permission alone. They need proof that the guest is trespassing and that your neighbour has the legal authority to act as your agent.

The fastest way to grant that authority is through a Limited Power of Attorney (POA).

1. POA Document: You must execute a simple, legal document (a Limited POA) that formally names your neighbour as your Attorney-in-Fact for the sole purpose of "Removing unauthorised or overstaying guests following formal contract termination." Get this document notarised.

2. Neighbour's Action: If Airbnb confirms the guest must leave, your neighbour contacts the police. They must physically show the officer the signed POA and the Airbnb cancellation notice.

3. Your Confirmation: Your neighbour should then insist the officer call you immediately. You, the owner, can verbally confirm that the guest's right to occupy the property has been legally revoked and that your neighbour has the POA to act on your behalf.

Having that specific, written POA is the key that unlocks police intervention and solves your concern about the guest's challenge.

Feel free to ask me any questions about what specific limited powers should be included in that POA. Have you already discussed this possibility with your neighbour?