I have a self catering 2 bedroom cottage on my property.
There seems to be a trend recently for people that live in surrounding areas to book for 1 night to celebrate their birthdays. They end up bringing in other unauthorized visitors through the night and basically host a party in our bnb.
We live on the property and so can see and hear all the activities. We have had some really bad experiences with noise, really disgusting mess and breakages.
Just last night, we had a guy book for 4 and said it was for his birthday and I told him no parties are allowed and no extra visitors.
In the morning I saw 10 people walking out the gate.
And they left their stash of empty beer bottles on our neighbours verge.
We have had at least 10 bookings like this in the past few months and I usually see the red flags when they book.
They usually have just joined airbnb that month to obviously make the booking, they come from the area, they book one night and sometimes tell you they are coming for their birthday.
I am on instant booking and so can't control the bookings unless I change to the request to book setting. Then airbnb let's you know when trying to change the setting that your listing will go down in the search engine if you change from instant booking.
When I suspect this type of booking, as they have been coming fast and furious lately, I always reply to politely let them know that no parties are allowed and only people booked for are allowed on the property. My unit sleeps 4 only. Once they arrive I let them in and reiterate the no party and no extra visitors allowed. They mostly lie and say that won't happen but then that's exactly what happens.
I have had to tell guests early hours of the morning to lower their noise levels and when I ask why they have extra guests they say they will be leaving. They don't and can see them all leave in the morning.
I don't understand this sudden increase in this idea of booking a bnb to host birthday celebrations.
I would rather not take the booking but then it seems if you suspect this type of activity and cancel the booking that you are penalized for canceling, even though airbnb assures you won't be if you have valid reasons. How do you prove that you know what the intention of the people booking is.
I have managed to maintain a superhost status since I joined Airbnb but am not sure how to handle these bookings. As if I cancel then maybe you lose the status or you dont get as much exposure into the search engine.
