I am now already in a +10 day discussion with Airbnb on an i...
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I am now already in a +10 day discussion with Airbnb on an issue of blocked days that are being switched to 'active' in the c...
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My vegan long term guest does not leave the house, cooks 3 times a day on all 5 cooker plates because he must eat fresh food everyday. He's cold all the time and leaves central heating going night and day with no concern for other guests. Gas costs have gobbled up what he paid to stay. I just started hosting and already going nuts! Any advice, please?
Lock box thermostats that you control for the heating this way he doesn't have access or the wifi thermostat that you can change thru your phone or just lock at a tempature you deem necessary
Thanks Thomas and Martha! I think I should pair the Thermostat to my phone like you suggest. I will work on that but how about the constant cooking? Or I may opt out and cancel with a full refund like Airbnb hinted. It's really not worth it for me. And he is long term for 60 days! Grrrrrrrrrrrh.
@Charity22 Have you sat the guest down and had a chat with him about these issues? That would be the first thing to do. If he was just staying for a few days, I wouldn't bother, but as he is expecting to stay longer term and doesn't "get it", I'd try to enlighten him as to why the way he's behaving doesn't work for you or other members of the household. If he then continues the behavior, or indicates that because he rented the space, he's entitled to do these things, then I would make it clear that you'll have to ask him to vacate, as at this point, you are actually financially supporting him. Document the conversation through Airbnb messaging. "So, XXX, just to reiterate our conversation yesterday, I understand that you feel you are entitled to monopolize the kitchen all day so that no one else can easily get in to cook a meal, and that all others have to live in a sweltering hot house because you are cold and wish the heat turned up to above-normal temperatures for average human comfort levels.. Do I have that correct?"
If you do have to cancel the rest of his stay, contact Airbnb to explain what he is doing and that he won't comply with simple requests for respectful behavior and that you can't afford to have there, as he is actually costing you more than you are charging him, and making things unlivable for you and your other guests.
There is no advantage to you in allowing this reservation to play out as is.
Sarah! You hit the nail on the head! Thank you for the greatest advice! I did not know how to start. Whether to talk to him directly or message him through Airbnb. I subtly wrote to Airbnb but was told if zi had to cancel, I would have to give him a FULL refund after all the gas and hosting costs that he has cost me for the 2 weeks ! How fair is that. On the other hand when I pointed this out to Airbnb, I was told they will contact him for his views.
@Charity22 If you feel a guest will be hard to talk to, then by all means message him instead with the concerns. If you have a sense that a guest is going to be belligerent, there's no need to put yourself in an uncomfortable position. Some people simply are very self-absorbed and aren't even aware of how they're affecting others, but might be open to being educated, you just have to play it by ear.
Yes, you will have to refund him for days he doesn't stay if you cancel his reservation. But in this case, you're not gaining anything if he's running up a huge heating bill, so take the loss and try to rebook the dates if he won't come around.
Sarah! You are so right. This helps me a lot on how to approach him. I certainly think I should bail out. I will have a chat with him through Airbnb and just bear the loss. Thanks again. My mind is at rest. I was really struggling. Lesson learned! Thanks again, Sarah. I appreciate your advice and have taken it. Happy hosting!
@Charity22 Happy hosting to you, too. Glad I could help. This forum is really great- so many hosts willing to lend support and commisserate. Lots of humor, too. Here's to easy guests!
Here's to easy guests! LOL! I love this community. My go to! So much help ! As for you, no wonder you're Level 10, Sarah! Thanks, pro! Thanks!