First time guests / no reviews, no pics, no info

[Anonymous]

Dear Airbnb Community,

Would you think request I sent to Airbnb below, is a valid one? would you agree?

I'd appreciate your feedback very much.

Tamu

"Dear Airbnb team,

Mr A requests to book my place. S/he is the first time airbnb guest and has no reviews. On top of that his/her profile doesn't say anything at all (just that he lives in this and that country).

I'd like to see a foto, some basic info and see some details in his profile so I make sure I'm comfortable with him and his partner (about whom I know I will never get any information anyway).

Do you think you could include this info as a must for first time airbnb guests, that have no reviews at all? It would make me as a host feel more comfortable. I had a very unpleasant experience recently with a potential guest so information like what I'm requesting may avoid negative outcomes.

I'd like to receive a confirmation from you that you will discuss this issue and let me know the result.

thank you,
Tamu

[Lisa1896]

I believe you are justified to expect some sort of assurance on first time users, I just got stung by a grubby couple under the same circumstances, but Airbnb gave me

nil support, the guest then proceeded to defile my property. Cost to date to bring back to our cottage beautiful standard $1000 AUD 

I just want to cry 😢 

Lisa W 

[Anonymous]

Hi Lisa, so sorry to hear that. Wish you loads of success and pleasant guests 🙂

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Anonymous 

Why not just communicate directly with the potential guest?

If there is something you want to know about the guest such as purpose of visit, why they selected your place (vs. other Airbnbs or hotels) and whether they have home-sharing experience, you can ask them before deciding to accept/decline.

Airbnb does not *really* vet guests. You as a host are fully responsible for determining if you are comfortable letting a potential guest into your home or not - don't expect Airbnb to help you with this.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1308/does-airbnb-perform-background-checks-on-members

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/FYI-hosts-run-your-own-background-checks-Airbnb-s-checks-not/m-p/712506/highlight/true#M168630

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/No-Accurate-Background-Verification-amp-COMPLETELY-UNACCEPTABLE/m-p/761530/highlight/true#M168683

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/does-BNB-allow-hosts-in-their-system-if-that-person-is-a/m-p/848341/highlight/true#M207104

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/I-just-discovered-a-potential-guest-has-a-huge-criminal-record/m-p/274709/highlight/true#M32745

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Airbnb-Updates/Airbnb-Answers-Guest-profile-photos/m-p/839227/highlight/true#M6089

[Anonymous]

Hi Jessica and Henry,

Thank you very much for response. I believe that Airbnb should encourage everybody in the airbnb community (guests and hosts) to have some basic info in ther profile: where from, study/work, interests, something like that. otherwise, why don't I just hang an Ad on a front door. 

I did already contact potential guest though asking to confirm they're in agreement with the House Rules (last time I had a problem with that and didn't get sufficient help from Airbnb, so I'm more cautious now).

Thanks for your time and the links,

Tamila

[Helen3]

Hello @Anonymous 

1. If you use iB you can accept only guests who have previous reviews.
2. You can tick the box on your listing so you only accept guests with photo ID
3. You can tick the box on your listing so that you only accept guests who provide a profile photo
4. You can make it part of your house rules that guests tell you why they are staying, why they chose your place, who is coming with them etc.
5. You can also ask that they tell you something about themselves.

[Richard1404]

Frankly, I'm okay with first time users and folks that don't have any kind of reviews at all, they all have to start somewhere!  But if we're good with that, then the only reasonable thing to know about folks is where they are from.

For me, it helps me know how close they are to me in time zones, especially if you've pre-approved someone, or even sent them a special offer. How long can I expect it to be before they sit down at their computers to respond.  

I've hosted people from all over the world, and have never turned anyone away (Not Once), and yes a little back and forth conversation is great (which is why I DO NOT support Instant Book!!), but I find that if, they send me a laundry list of questions, including things that are clearly covered on my listing, the least I should be able to do is know where they're from.  This is all new, within the last few days, correct??  Like around the 13, 14 or 15th of Sept, 2019?

People oddly try to dodge the question too.  I've resorted to saying "and where did you say you lived", set as the only line in a message.  Why did that and the photo in their profile disappear??  That can NOT be research to make hosts happier!