Airbnb is starting to work better with their host because host are leaving in favor of VRBO and others! They have allowed guest to get by with wayyyy too much while host have lost deposits and bookings from months before bookings then canceling a day or so before check-ins. I now have a strict rule that will cost them part of or all of their booked stay time! I just lose over 1,000 for a 6 night stay just days prior and that was the last straw!
I also will go after their deposit if they dont abide by the rules they agreed to in order for them to book our Airbnb or at least they have a heads up that Its there and they agreed too it so if they screw up its on them.
For instance... they smoke in my home or outside on my porches I'll take their security, it's all written out under the rules where you need to spell out that rule! A lot of guest would rather give up a deposit than have bad reviews on their stay!
You would think that they all know what you mean, but they dont... they think you wont know if they blow smoke out the window?Really? 😕 They can no longer pretend they didnt see any rules, ha! What rules?? lol
Again it's all written out under the rules where they have to read it all spelled out! Its also written out and on the table next to their keys.
Kids are now a huge issue in our home because some of the guest allow their kids to walk around with food and touch everything that they dont clean up because they think the cleaning fee covers Maid service! NO it does not and will get them a bad review which they deserve! We now require a phone call to even consider a booking if the kids are under 12.
Be tough, but fair, be a likable well informed great host and that includes, guiding them through a great stay without problems because they know before booking what they can and cant do. It does save a lot of headaches and possible losses on both sides and they really are ok with knowing where you stand.
Do Not let them get by with breaking your rules and it helps other host to know what to expect (this couple let their kids jump on and off the beds at 6am while they slept in and walked around with chocolate!!? and the same with the stairs and thats why there are rules. They break the rules they pay!!
If I dont leave them negative feedback how many wonderful host are going to go throuh the same thing? No sir, stop it in it's tracks. I have had wonderful guest (some from europe) experiences but sometimes you just get a bad one and one of the things that drives me nutson several ocassions is guest couples bookin for one night and using all four beds! Talk about inconsiderate!
Im now considering a new rule just for that. Thats just sticking it to you because they have to pay a cleaning fee they dont like so they should do whatever they think they can without breaking the rules! One of my guest went to breakfast in town after checkout but asked to leave their car and we almost always say yes. After seeing the beds I text him and ask... I see you tried out all the beds sooo which one was the best?? They actually responded with the bed they liked best but also got called out! 😉 Do i want them to come back...nah.
Believe it or not we just had a couple of Airbnb "Host" with 2 children, 3 and 8 years old who broke every rule but smoking...we think! 😉 They either broke a special butterfly coffee spoon rest and didnt mention it (we missed putting it away) or took it and theres been 0 response from my inquiries so they will get a very bad review and they are host who can lose their status as host!
Always read their reviews...I would have saved myself a lot of aggravation because it was all there.