I mostly host 90 day rentals. I've noticed this makes it difficult to reach some of the targets. When someone is staying with you for 90 days, they ask many more questions and we need to make sure this is a good fit for both of us.
1) As they are 90 days people ask a lot of questions. My listing states no pets, but people often reach out to ask about pets. when I say no, I get dinged for declining the reservation. I think there is a loophole to respond in converstion only and no officially decline, but I'm not sure that always works either. I don't think we should be dinged for things we clearly say we won't accept. I don't mind people asking though, I would too.
2) Related to above, via conversations not everyone who sends a message ends up being interested. I don't accept once I know this isn't the best fit for them - or that they are not interested. This results in another ding - my acceptance rate is only 80% and I've never turned anyone down who wanted to stay with me. Most common reason for people not staying with me me is I won't allow their pet(s) and location as I'm in the mountains and in the SF Bay area. I'm honest about traffic and ask where they work. I'd prefer they have correct expectations up front, especially as they are with me for 90 days.
I hope Airbnb will look at this for those of us who mostly host 60-90 days and revise the policy to make it more fair for long-term hosts.
Thanks,