Host changing rules and guidelines for checkin we never agreed to.

[Leah-and-Scott0]

Hi Airbnb community, 

Our host in Venice has sent us information for checking in to the property that we never agreed to as it was never listed anywhere in the house rules or house manual or the listing itself.

We are being told the following:

1. We have to go to a bus terminal and go to the left bags department to pick up the keys to the property.

2. We have to meet with a residence manager at 9AM the day after we check in to pay the tax on the property.

3. The check in time that has been listed this entire time as After 2PM apparently is supposed to be listed asbetween 2PM and 7PM. We will not arrive at the property until 8PM which is apparently why we are being told we have to meet the agent listed in point 2.

This is our honeymoon. We use airbnb all the time and have never had this kind of issue come up before. We are also Superhosts. We are traveling all over Italy and would like to avoid racking up international call charges waiting on hold with airbnb to deal with this situation. 

Does anyone have an alternate suggestion of how to deal with this?

Thanks.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

So, you can try to resolve it before you go and contact Airbnb now before leaving the states.  You are probably pretty busy with a wedding and this is probably the last thing you want heaped onto your plate, I know. What I see are a few options: 

1. You comply with their check in requirements on those first few days and just get on to your lovely vacation putting it behind you

2. You inform them that you are not comfortable with any of this, stopping somewhere random and getting keys, paying them cash on the spot, or letting yourself into the property without meeting the host.  Potential results: host cancels, host gives you grief, you spend a lot of time working on this when you should be doing something else.  

3. You cancel and inform Airbnb that the host is asking you for cash when you arrive (I'm assuming that this is not allowed and that you didn't know) and ask them to help book you elsewhere as paying outside the Airbnb portal is not legit.  Some real hassle in this aspect. 

Personally, as annoyed as I would be at the extra work, I'd probably go route 3, because I really dislike the idea of showing up to meet another, non-host, and giving them cash.  That makes me really uncomfortable.  My husband, he'd choose 1.  In either case, I'd make note of this rocky start and make sure I mark the host down appropriately for Communication and Arrival.  As a Superhost, you know they are already coloring your vacation experience which should be reflected in your review. 

Good luck and congratulations!!  

[Marie82]

I think maybe is to ask if that the Rules in Italy to paid property taxes for guest

I think it is not good to assume all countries have the same rules when he comes to Airbnb and not jump into conclusion that the host is trying to take out extra cash from ur pocket

And when he comes to keys collection there is nothing wrong with that

In some countries in Europe u dont have always the host who welcome you they do they best to find alternative solution to keep keys safe and easy for traveler to pick up

If the pick up location is just around the corner from the house do not see big deal

[Helen3]

I agree with Marie

The check in time was 2 - 7 p.m. The host is accommodating your late arrival of 8 p.m. by making arrangements for your to pick up the keys at any easy to find travel hub and then enabling you to pay the property tax the next day. (Property tax is common in lots of European countries and goes direct to the local government).

I think they are being flexible in accommodating your late arrival. I'm not quite sure why you see this as a problem?

Lots of places around the world don't have hosts who are available on check in including in the U.S.

[Lois-and-Darryl0]

What awful timing for you.  I also suggest you contact Airbnb, and request that they help you find an alternate Host and location.  YOu can cite that they are asking for funds outside of the Airbnb system (a no-no in any country).  Secondly, that they added rules for you that were not made clear in their listing or while you were arranging booking.  Good Luck, and Congratulations!

[Helen3]

Lois & Darrell

They aren't asking for cash outside of the system - they are asking the guests to pay the local property tax which everyone has to pay on arrival  - this is how it works in Italy (it should have been made clear in the listing I agree - perhaps it does we haven't seen the listing).

You also don't know whether the poster made it clear that they were arriving after the check in time slot when they made their booking.