Be careful when reporting guest bad behavior!!

[Christianna1]

I just wanted to let everyone know that whatever you report about your guest when you open a case goes directly to the guest!!!

So I just reported suspected drug usage of a seriously frightening guest, who happens to live locally, and Air BnB reaches out to the guest for comment! I was like, “Uhhh... this scary person knows where I live, where I sleep, how to get around my property and into my house and you’re going to ask him for his reply to the fact that I smelled smoke while he was here and found drugs in the room after he left??” Seriously, Air BnB?!!!!! Put it in the person’s file, but don’t put the hosts at risk like that!!! 

This “transparency” thing is fine, but let the hosts know that prior to us hosting people or reporting anything so we can decide if our lives are worth the report. Air BnB isn’t the police and they can’t protect us, so transparency means they stir the pot without protecting the contents from burning.

[Christianna1]

@Noeline0 I hope it turned out ok for you!! That’s super scary!! I think we all do that at first. “Give the benefit of the doubt, etc.” It’s ok because so many of my guests have had few or no reviews, but you just have to learn to weed out the bad ones. I knew this guy at my place was bad news from his photo (it was like a “thug life” photo and he looked ultra pissed off ) and by the way he spoke to me on the pm (very demanding) but I ignored my gut. 

[Drew140]

Hello, everybody, I am Drew and new over here and like to explore more.

Thanks for letting us know about. Mostly these type of scary people seen in the local areas.

[Lan1]

Be careful with LOCAL  guest booking.  It happened several times to me that they just need a place party or drugs. I just had one guest from Berkeley CA, about 5 miles away from my house, booked for two person, but arrived about 20-25, moved my furnitures away( tables, chairs ) out in the backyard, damaged my hardwood floor and door screen, broken the tiles in my bathroom, heavy heavy smoke/drugs  smells....

I filed case in resolution center, nobody contacted me yet as it passed far more than 72 hours....they promised I had to request money from guest, wait 72 hours...then Airbnb gets involved.

please advise how to block local booking!

thank you!

[Alice595]

@Lan1  You will need to go back to resolution center and click Involve Airbnb button in order for someone from Airbnb to respond you for your claim.

[Lan1]

Thank you Alice! Will do!

[Sally221]

Dear Lan,

locals trying to book is a definite red flag- I'd ask, in a friendly & ready to be helpful fashion, why they want to book and emphasize that you are a host who will be there to check them in and are nearby if they need anything.  (even if you don't usually do this) A bunch of old friends wanting to get together = party time. If you get a red flag inquiry give a quick response with those off putting details, if they request to book -stress the family friendly aspects of your listing and that you will be checking in with them during their stay to make sure they are content & mention that if your place doesn't fit the bill after all, they can cancel penalty free. I would also suggest that if a bunch of people not part of the booking show up do not allow them in- go thru airbnb to cancel the booking -accept a bad review but avoid the expense and headache of cleaning up after those brats. I'm sure that folks who trash a house  will leave a bad review anyway.  (and isn't it interesting that while an 18 year old can't rent a car it's just peachy if they rent your house?)  Best of luck to a fellow member of the 510, Sally

[Lan1]

@Sally221 @It happened before I contacted Airbnb, they always let me wait until they heard the guest response. Normally the party went on until 3-4 am, never heard the guest back as they were drunk or not communicable. Not sure if safe enough if myself ( a 5 feet tiny woman) standing in front of the gate, stopping huge group young people ( about 15-20)to enter....

normally I have some pre booking questions, but never got answered. I believe Airbnb should not let them book until they answer those questions reasonably. Thank you! LAN 

[Kira32]

@Airbnb 

Omg so this is the reason why I getting stalked by a previous guest that wants to come again 

I refused because I reported him for a reason!!!!!!

Then Airbnb calls me and asks me why he can't stay again at my home. 

Omg omg omg!

Fix it!

[Sharon683]

That's crazy!!!!

[TamaraAndSteve0]

I understand.  I had a guest come with friends, a dog, up until 3am.  I felt unsafe in my home but there is nothing airbnb can do and calling the police would be a scene. They ruined furniture, disobeyed parking rules and were awful. But fear of someone local means there should be another system for this type pf behaviour.

also, we had a guest have an outdoor fire in a fire ban.  They ignored several house rules and signs to not have a fire in a hot dry summer. Highly dangerous.  But because there was no $ damage, airbnb did nothing.  No insurance policy could cover a spark gone into a dry forest. But no option other than a review for recovery. 

Most guests are fine but for the bad ones, there needs to be a better system. 

[Sharon683]

That is terrible.  Wow,  I do not understand why Airbnb would put the host at risk.  

[Mary1685]

It’s abhorrent but it looks like they do. I am just shocked by their indifference of putting hosts at risk...that’s if you ever even hear back from any of them. 

[Christine615]

Why is someone from Airbnb not responding on this list? Safety is paramount and we aren't hotels. Frightening.

[Christianna1]

@Christine615  This is SO important. Guests need to know from the start that we are NOT hotels. Everyone needs to stress this in their listing descriptions in my opinion. We need to train new guests from the gate!

[Sean433]

@Christianna1 

This is why you have to be super careful with LOCAL GUESTS. As some suggested, let them know you will be there checking them in or remind them you live in part of the home. If they are local and just coming for 2 days without a good explanation, I instantly say no.

Common issues based on my experience with local guests are: Prostitution (happened to me once), Drug Dealing (using a hosts home to receive illegal drugs by mail) or hosting a house party (this is the most common).

Only good reason I see for accepting a local guest:

1) They are doing renovations in which case their stay will be longer then 2 days

2) They are expecting large amounts of families for a holiday or event and need somewhere nearby to lodge them

That is about all I can think of.