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]

@Sean433 

This is a good point. There are a few more reasons why locals would want to stay and most are equally problematic:

1.) They are fumigating they’re house from bed bugs or roaches... in which case they might potentially bring a few bugs along with them. 

2.) They are trying to get away from a domestic violence situation... in which case a shelter or hotel is more appropriate since there’s nothing at our homes to protect us or our guest from an angry partner who manages to find them.

3.) The traffic is really terrible and they have an acting audition close to your place early in the morning. This I could understand. 

4.) They are a fellow host and their whole house rents out for a lot more than your room so they need a place to stay since someone booked their house. This could go either way. (I had this happen to me on my third booking and the host/guest who stayed at my place was super rude and disgustingly messy. Her dog pooped all over the parking area and she didn’t pick it up, there was cat hair and litter EVERYWHERE, she was super loud and complained about everything and then gave me a bad review.)

5.) They just like staying other places sometimes. I would do this if I didn’t have dogs. I think they call it a “stay-cation.” I would totally stay at way more expensive homes or homes with different architecture from mine, just for fun from time to time.

[Noeline0]

@Helen427   @Christianna1   

Even after over 3 years hosting and over 200 guests, it's a live and learn.  It has worked out okay, though I am a little concerned about who knows what's here now.  That is the first time I have accepted guests who request accommodation under my 24 hour notice so, I won't be doing that again unless it is somebody I know.

I had a good talk to them when I saw them outside and went through Airbnb rules; my rules; and generally what was expected.  They did do a pretty good clean up after themselves.

They are homeless and I have no idea what their future plans are - but I can't do anything about that. 😞

Airbnb were a good backup support from when I first contacted them via twitter.

[Helen427]

Thanks for the update @Noeline0 

Best to just put them on the list of they have been to visit and wish them well for the future.

People are homeless for all manner of reasons and none of us have walked in another person's feet and can only do our best to help guide them on their way to improvement.

Your next guests will help you put them behind you.

[Noeline0]

@Helen427  Yes Helen, agree and have done that. 

I'm the last person to judge anyone for being homeless or, for that matter,  much of anything else.  I do value honesty though - so I conveyed that to them and all is well with the world 🙂