After hosting a dozen guests, I realize now that I rate each guest similar to a performance review/ evaluation; and I’m ok if guests review me the same way too. I don’t charge a cleaning fee and I go above and beyond to ensure my apt is spotless for each and every guest. TBH, my rental is more spotless than the rest of my home. I wish I had the energy to clean every nook and cranny in my personal space as I do in the rental. As most 5* hosts know, it takes a lot of work to maintain a high average.
So, I give guests the following rating based on previous guests:
5* - ALL house rules followed, no trash left behind, furniture returned to it’s original place, no dirty dishes lying around. It’s obvious guests were extremely tidy. I haven’t had stained bed linen or towels, but if I do, I’ll treat that as the cost of doing business. Accidents happen.
4* - Break a major house rule (ex., didn’t park in dedicated parking space—blocked my car in; or flushed things down toilet that’s on my NO flush list, which required a plumber).
3* - Invite extra guest (ex., overnight) without asking if it’s okay.
2* - Unplug outdoor security camera. This has not happened, knock-on-wood, but if it did.
1* - furniture damaged, sneak a pet in, continuous and excessive loud noises, apt left filthy.
I do want to say that I have had amazing guests and all have been given 5*, except one that was a 4*. I do wish there were also half stars because if there had been, I would have given the 4* a 4.5*.
Again, I base my rating system on previous guests’ behaviors.