What is the best excuse to enter my home when I suspect wrongly doing by guests?

[Liat14]

Hello Airbnb community

We have guests that booked our place for a month. They paid a full price no questions or discounts asked.

From day one they blocked our Ring camera.

They removed the blockage after we demanded it.

However, when they are taking stuff in and out to and from cars someone is standing and blocking the camera.

At first, they brought several boxes in (right before they blocked the Ring).

Obviously, they are hiding something. We are worried about it.

We want to go in and get a quick pick to make sure they are not doing something irreversible.

This has been a concern to us and we don't know how to handle it.

What would you do? Did anyone ever experience such a thing? 

We thought of sending some repair or technician...not sure.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you🙏

[Sarah977]

@Liat14  You probably don't need an excuse other than the fact that the guests are blocking the camera. Research your local laws- in most jurisdictions the property owner has a right to enter with 24 hours notice.

I'd be quite concerned also. They may be stealing your stuff, moving in their belongings in, in order to establish tenancy (which is why month long bookings are a bad idea, as the guests can become tenants in the eyes of the law and you'll have a hell of a time evicting them), or they are sneaking in way more people than they booked for. Or something else illegal.

[Colleen253]

@Liat14 From the TOS: "The Host retains the right to re-enter the Accommodation during your stay, to the extent: (i) it is reasonably necessary, (ii) permitted by your contract with the Host, and (iii) consistent with applicable law".  

Always trust your gut, and never dally when dealing with these situations. You knew there was something wrong the minute they blocked the ring. Normal folk up to normal things don't need to block the ring. Invent a reason to go in if you want to, doesn't matter. Give them notice, but don't wait any longer. 

[Anonymous]

@Liat14  You can refer to clause 2.3 in the Terms of Service:

2.3 Accommodation Reservations. An Accommodation reservation is a limited license to enter, occupy, and use the Accommodation. The Host retains the right to re-enter the Accommodation during your stay, to the extent: (i) it is reasonably necessary, (ii) permitted by your contract with the Host, and (iii) consistent with applicable law. 

You should give your guests appropriate notice before entering the property, but the fine print of the contract the guests entered into when they placed the booking entitles you to do so. One example of what you might say in your initial message via Airbnb messenger is:

"our security cameras detected unusual activity at xx:00 , so we will need to make a security check of the home at yy:00."

Of course, add all the polite customer service stuff to that, but the important thing is to convey with appropriate notice that you'll be entering the property. You should also be prepared with a plan for what you'll do (of course within your local regulations) if you find something that confirms your worst fears. There's nothing Airbnb can do except cancel the booking - you're in charge of whatever else happens.

[Colleen253]

@Anonymous I'd be a tad hesitant to make any mention of the cameras. Stories abound on the CC of hosts having their listings shut down by the infamous T&S when cameras are mentioned, even when they've been fully and properly disclosed on a listing. May or may not be an issue this time, but likelihood increases with guests who seem to be up to no good.... 

[Anonymous]

@Colleen253 That's definitely a thing to consider, although it's going to be one of the sharper objects in the Troll Toolbox even if it's not mentioned. 

[Helen350]

@Liat14 I'm a long way away in the UK, but many hosts warn of the liberal tenancy  rights in California; namely that after 28 days, guests could claim tenancy, and by all accounts you'd be stuffed, with an expensive & lengthy battle to evict them....

So might you want to change their reservation to 27 days?

[Sarah977]

@Helen350 He might want to change their reservation to Get Out Now 🙂

[Helen350]

Silly me! Of course @Sarah977 !

[Heather1086]

@Liat14 Oregon has rental laws that are very favorable to tenants as well.  With that I don't rent beyond the maximum number of days, especially with COVID and landlords unable to collect rent.  If you have concerns, especially with the cameras being blocked I would give notice and get them out.  Also, I would be very hesitant to mention anything with the security cameras to your guests... my most destructive guest reported my cameras to airbnb (even though they were disclosed on my listing) and got my listing shut down for 2 weeks during investigation.

[Marie6240]

I have been a super host for over 2 years and own 3 extremely busy arbnbs. This is my third resolution issue due to damages. This newest property is a true resort style entire house on the River totally gorgeous. My current guests (7) and a dog that was not mentioned have completed destroyed my home breaking three pieces of furniture etc. I'm hopping on this post because at the moment Arbnb has suspended all 3 properties while they review the case. Back up to yesterday. This brand new property has been completely renovated with high end finishes. I messaged my guest to inform her that I had a small desk and bench were being delivered by the builders( it was a special order) they lived out of state and I needed to place them in the home. I messaged them three times 6 hours apart to no avail so by the end of the day I went to the property and found the home insecure with all doors unlocked. I told guest that I was going to be leaving the furniture in the home and knocked loudly. No answer except a dog barking. BTW my quick lock history shows that after arriving the night prior the door was never locked. I had the builders but 2 witnesses accompany me into the home and what I found made me ill. The entire non smoking resort reeked of cigar smoke and dog urine not to mention all lights on urine and stool in toilets broken furniture and the entire home completely destroyed and unbelievablely filthy. Needless to say I was in shock. I immediately contacted Arbnb and began the resolution process. 8 hours later and over a dozen call with support and they suspended my 3 properties pending investigation. This is a nightmare meanwhile the guest recieved the resolution charges and are angry. They leave today and I am terrified that they will further destroy my property. Why am I being punished for their destination.