Annoyed by guests and the damage they left

[Trisha6]

So our guests just left yesterday and from the time they arrived I had a bad feeling about them, they would say inappropriate things in the public areas and just generally weren't nice to deal with. During their stay they were fine except they would call and text for all sorts of trivial things like asking which button to use on the vent to turn it on (only two options, try both its a lot quicker than texting/ calling me) I was a ball of nerves this whole week dealing with them - not wanting it to turn into something worse I pretty well babied them - to the point my husband had to leave my birthday party for over 3 hours to go turn the air conditioning on because they were complaining. Anywho fast forward, they're gone now and I'm so happy - they didn't leave my home in too rough shape but a few things are bugging me. First off I provided them with separate guest towels, sheets and blankets (purchased new for guests) and extras for their daughter in case of accidents and they went into the closet I said was off limits and took and used my personal towels (not impressed). Then as I look around their are pen marks everywhere! On my sons furniture, on the walls, on our doors - everywhere, I was going to let that slide and chalk it up to wear and tear of little kids ( although my son is only 1 week apart in age from their daughter and I would NEVER let this happen) but what has really gotten under my skin is my son's bike. We just received it as a gift and my son has never even ridden it. He loves the thing and drags it around all the time but is still a little short for it. Anyway it looks like they took it out of the house and gave it a beating. The paint is all scratched up all over the frame and handle bars right down past the primer to the raw metal. I'm so annoyed that someone would take my child's things out of our home and treat it so badly without asking or apologizing. I have a $500 security deposit and I want to claim $30 for the damage to the bike. It's bugging me but my hubby says to just let it go. What do you guys think? I feel disrespected. What should I do in terms of a review as well.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Before you write a review get in touch with the guests via the resolution centre and see if you can agree a charge for the bike. As you say it's lots of little things really - but they added up to a stressful time. Was it clear that the bike was off limits or there for the kids to play with? It doesn't excuse the damage but kids can be monsters - even good ones!

[Dawn33]

I would let it go and clean up your house rules. I have a "no kid" rule for this very reason.

Actually, I would do one better --- not leave guests access to personal items or items of value. Move it all away from them.

[Jorgie0]

I agree you should reach out to them first telling them you'd rather resolve the problems then write a bad review( this will remind them that it is a review trust community!) I do think however you need to have your things seperate and not accessible.. Some people just don't know better. I used to leave like 10 towels stacked until 2 guests decided to use every single one in one weekend. This kind of stuff is annoying but you learn from
Your mistakes. Out of 65 guests I've had maybe 3 that I wouldn't welcome back and none that I had to take a security fee from. Good luck trying to resolve it cordially. If they don't respond I think that you have a moral obligation to warn other hosts that they disrespected your home in several ways and that perhaps they aren't ready for travel with a small child.

[Trisha6]

Thank you all for your replies.
I did give them a tour and showed them that exact closet and explained it was off limits as it contained our personal things they acknowledged that but in the end did take out and use our towels.

As as far as children, I encourage families in our place. I feel like I know more what I'm getting into, I feel like we've kid proofed our home and have toys and kids furniture that can be useful for travelling families. I did tell them that they could use his toys but taking the bike outside of our unit and damaging it should never be acceptable. if they took their child riding in the road on my son's bike who would be liable? I gave them permission to use the things innnnn our home.

I guess it's a matter of should I pursue this damage, and not weather or not they should have taken the bike outside.

We have one more reservation and I think I'm done with hosting, since I'm asking these things it's probably not for me lol

[Gene8]

Review! Review! Review!