My first time here

[Monica513]

Hi guys. 

I need an advice. I have a request but the guest asked me if he can visit the room before renting. Is that normal? Should I say yes? I am a little concerned about my safety as I live alone. 

Thank you for you help 

[David126]

@Monica513

My business is short term so I do not, if this is longer term then I might.

[Ben205]

Hi @Monica513. Our place is a minimum of 3 nights and we've never had anybody want to view it first (but then they are usually coming from distance for a holiday).

What I'm a bit worried about, though, is your concern for your safety. You've listed your place on a hosting website to share with strangers. You need to be 100% safe. You need to be absolutely certain you'll be okay.

Could I suggest you consider only renting to single women, maybe? Probably against some Airbnb policy, but may be an idea.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Monica513 @Ben Its fine to say male or female or couples only IF you are sharing the space - ie: renting out a room in  your property. For short term lets it is highly unusual to view the property before staying as your photos and reviews etc should give the guest enough info. If it doesnt I would suggest saying know as they already sound high maintenance

If it is for a long term stay then I would still say no as it is against AirBnB's guidance. You can explain this to the guest and suggest that they book for 2 niights or somthing similar and then if they wish to stay for longer you can work that out after a few days

[Chris232]

Hi @Monica513

If you are concerned with safety I suggest you redo your profile Photo to include a Male friend and to use "we" rather than "I" when replying to any requests/messages

Good Luck

Chris

[Monica513]

Nice tip Chris. Thank you.

[Linda108]

Air BNB does not encourage hosts to allow guests "previewing" the listing prior to booking, @Monica513.  As you are new to this platform, you do not have reviews, so I can understand a legitimate guest wanting to ensure the place is as pictured.  However, instead of allowing a preview, ask the guest what information he needs.  In your description you state you are not really at the unit all the time.  Not sure why you add that information.  You either live in the space or not.  Do you plan to leave a stranger in the space without your staying there?   If so, you should take steps to secure your personal valuables.

I suggest you look at a number of listings that are comparable to yours for ideas about how to describe your listing, pricing and pictures.  It has been helpful for me to do that even now after two years.  Good luck!!

[Monica513]

Thank you for your comments Linda but I don´t know where I can change my state. I don´t know why I added this information too... LOL

Can you help me on this too??

I live in the place but I work all day....

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Monica513 they can not see your property before booking because your address and phone number is hidden. If you try to give them your address before booking Airbnb will authomaticly hide it . So, if they would like to rent it long term and wants to see it first, they can book it for a day or two , stay there and decide if they will book it again for longer period of time.  

[Monica513]

Thank you 

[Matthew285]

@Monica513, allowing the guest to visit the listing before renting is not only NOT normal, it is also against AirBnB rules.

And it isn't just that it is against the rules (which it totally is).

It is also just a bad idea for you.

Based on stories from experienced hosts, the more experienced the host, the more they are against letting guests "Preview" the listing.

They have said:

1. "Preview" guests often just want to meet you to ask for a discount, or to propose paying outside the AirBnB system. Both bad for you.
2. "Preview" guests are often the worst kind of picky, hard to satisfy guests.
3. "Preview" guests might be criminals just wanting to case your property before robbing it.
4. It is huge waste of your time. Often hosts will wait hours for late "Preview" guests who just ask for a discount and then never book.
5. What exactly are they going to learn from looking at the listing that your many lovely pictures don't already show?

If they want to learn something more, why don't they just ask you?

If they want to see the neighborhood, they can see the neighborhood without coming inside your property.

Don't do it.

Tell them "If there is anything more you need to know about the listing, I am happy to answer all your questions. If you want to look at the neighborhood, our closest intersection is (street & street). We do not allow unbooked guests inside the property."

[Monica513]

Thank you Matthew. I already said no to him.