Leaving Luggage after Check-out

[Anthony608]

So, I have seen variations of this question around the AirBNB community, but what I am specifically wondering is what to do if a host returns to the home, after a guest was supposed to have checked out, and finds luggage and other personal belongs still in the residence with the guest themselves not present. 

There was an example of this a year ago, where a friend of mine hosting had a situation where a couple had stayed in his house for about a month, and when he came home on checkout day to clean found all their belongings still in the residence.  The two had simply gone to work that day and left all their things  in the house; in the end it was some kind of misunderstanding I think, but I never found out for certain.

But what can be done with abandoned belongings?  I have also heard there are strict penalties and possibly even de-listing if you start moving people's things and even worse if you simply put them outside.  Has anyone experienced this before?

[Kaylee18]

@Anthony608   I've never experienced this, but what I have learned as a host is ALWAYS contact Airbnb before doing anything!!! They are not big on hosts making decisions on their own!

If this happened in my unit I would contact Airbnb and explain to them I have new guests coming and the unit needs to be cleaned.  They would most likely reach out to the guest and try to get them to return for their belongings or at least have them agree to allow the host to pack up their stuff and store their suitcases for when they return. But then you get into the risk of "the host stole my _____". (Not all, but some would probably accuse that). 

So it sounds like a **bleep**ty situation to be in, but always call Airbnb first! LOL