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.

[Ann72]

@Christianna1 - be my guest! :):):)

[Sarah977]

@Christianna1  "Was ran"?  "Preformed"? The reps obviously don't have to pass any basic literacy test.

[Christianna1]

@Sarah977  They have a customer service center in India. Sometimes the people are surprisingly sensitive to the nuances of the language and then sometimes they send emails like this...

[Angie29]

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@Christianna1 wrote:

@Ann72 @Alice595 @Lisa723 @Stephanie @Branka-and-Silvia0 

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LAUGHABLE, really.  They do their best to prevent such actions from happening?  Let me guess:  They're patrolling around your home everyday.    

[Mark116]

Airbnb is so pompous.  What kind of 'investigation'  have they ever 'ran' outside of emailing and once in a while making a phone call?  But then I already know that the only person I can count on in an airbnb situation is myself and my own records.

[Helen427]

yikes, best to report to local police or the Guests local Police @Christianna1 @Sarah977 @Yadira22 @Ann72 @Alice595 

Retaliation is a really ugly thing to experience for anyone reporting unlawful behaviour.

I started another topic on how we have had a recent problem here in New Zealand with Airbnb accommodation used for meth deals.

That said they will do there deals where ever they wish unfortunately it's not just restricted to ABB, it happens in people's homes all over the world, and in Hotels and Motels.

Keep safe folks

[Christianna1]

@Helen427  I have cameras on the gate and parking area so if someone comes in, it alerts me and I have it in my home rules that there are no extra visitors allowed without prior permission.  But it’s absolutely terrifying how meth is taking over the world!! I believe 80% of the homeless issue in civilized countries is due to meth or heroine. Scary stuff.

[Angie29]

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@Helen427 wrote:

yikes, best to report to local police or the Guests local Police @Christianna1 @Sarah977 @Yadira22 @Ann72 @Alice595 

Retaliation is a really ugly thing to experience for anyone reporting unlawful behaviour.

I started another topic on how we have had a recent problem here in New Zealand with Airbnb accommodation used for meth deals.

That said they will do there deals where ever they wish unfortunately it's not just restricted to ABB, it happens in people's homes all over the world, and in Hotels and Motels.

Keep safe folks

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I don't know how it works with calling the police in other cities/counties/nations but in our city the police can come (I think 3 times??) and after that the city permit to Airbnb our home is terminated.  
 

[Noeline0]

Now I'm worried.  I was looking for an answer to guests here who I feel really, really uncomfortable with. 

I'm in a rural area and Airbnb a small studio which takes one or two people.  I can't have animals other than my own contained ones (due to wildlife).  3 people and a large dog have rocked up - they told me the car driver was only dropping them off then leaving with his dog.  That was 3 hours ago.  They gave me some names of some people in the area that they know - and I know they are all drug dealers or addicts.

As I am vulnerable here I am careful but gave the 'new members/no reviews the benefit of the doubt.  

I hope I'm wrong about them but my antennae are buzzing madly. 

[Helen427]

Hello@Noeline0 from over here in Auckland, New Zealand

Always ask for the model, colour and registration of the vehicle of your Guests prior to arrival - it is then in the msg system & it protects you who may be coming on to the property, helpful also if there are any issues.

If it's daylight see who has cars there and take those details - photos if necessary & keep them on file.

Make sure you contact your local Police if there's any problems, maybe even give them a call today & have a chat with them so they are on the alert.

That way it covers your tracks and lets them know where these people may be hanging out & what they are up to.

It pays to ask Guests prior to booking the purpose of their visit./ stay prior to booking.

Rural areas always used to be targeted by Drug dealers as they used to be less on the radar.

You may also like to reach out & touch base via an 'enquiry' to other ABB Hosts in the area to network as a community - look on your local Listing page, you may even recognise some of the places & there's no harm if you go door knocking & introduce yourself.

It's a good to have offline systems./ networks in place in one's location.

If there's any other hassles always reach out to your fellow Australian @Laura_C who is Head of Customer Services at ABB.

Keep safe

[Noeline0]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for that great information. 

I did go up and take note and photos of the car with rego.  Also rang police and informed them of what I was uncomfortable with...unfortunately the closest police station is an hour away, but they would still try and get to my assistance if necessary.

I actually went up to the cabin and knocked on the door.  I told them I was feeling very uncomfortable and disrespected and that, in over 3 years of hosting, I had not felt that before.  The owner of the dog and car (apparently these guests don't own a car) was sitting on the floor with a big backpack and suitcase and said he was just leaving -which he then did.

Anyone going to the cabin has to use the driveway past our house so I will know if he returns.  Meantime, I have locked all my doors for the first time in 22 years. LOL  My dogs are great alarms if anyone comes near though.

I still know that things really aren't right with this lot so it will be interesting to see how things turn out - they are meant to check out on Monday.

I really appreciate your input and the Aussie contact - thank you.

Noeline

P.S.  I grew up in Hamilton. 

[Helen427]

@Noeline0  

You are brave to go & knock on the door & bail the guy up with the backpack & suitcase.

They sound like they may be 'homeless types' to travel like that.

Gosh, isn't it incredible how we all have to lock the doors to feel safe these days?

I used to sleep with windows open & door unlocked in a place I lived in in the city a few years ago, not now though.

Beautiful location & trees you have surrounding you.

It's great you have the dogs as they will stir if somethings up.

Keep us posted how the weekend unfolds.

You may like to include a comment in your listing in regards to additional visitors to the property, and mention how they had an additional visitor without consent whilst they stayed.

Nice to see another New Zealander surface here in CC.

- a little tip, when writing a reply use the @ button & it comes up with the persons name who you are replying to.

[Noeline0]

@Helen427 

Once again, thank you for the advice - much appreciated.

I did wait until I wasn't home alone before I went up to the cabin and knocked.  I was nervous, however, I'm too old to let myself be bullied.  

I do think they are homeless and she is pregnant.  She is the one who made the booking but hasn't said a word to me.  I haven't found an online profile for her but did find her profiled as a nude model in a nearby rather notorious town.  One of the sad things (I find anyway) is my neighbor told me they saw her outside smoking in the back paddock.  We are a non smoking environment and I am very clear about that.  I just hope there is no smoking in the cabin and that they don't leave live butts with our high fire danger at the moment. 

I'm hoping they will surprise me and leave tomorrow with the cabin clean, tidy and undamaged.  Not sure how they are leaving though.  My listing states that a car is needed here.  They didn't read the listing though 😞

My dreams last night were filled with strange people invading my space.  I was very happy to wake up and find that it is still just the 2 of them.

[Sarah977]

@Helen427 So if you ask a drug dealer the purpose of their visit they're going to say what? "Oh I just thought I'd hole up at your place for a couple days and deal some meth, maybe a bit of smack, and some crack"?

[Laura_C]

Hi there @Noeline0 

Thanks for the mention @Helen427 

Please feel free to send me a private message about this and I'll see how I can help.

~Laura