New host, first guest

[Linh124]

Hi everyone . I am new host here so i read a lot of your advice. My first guests are coming this Friday, i am a bit nervous about it as i dont know what to expect. I bought everything brand new for the house as i want to treat best for our guests, How do you prevent if guests are taking some items in the house?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@Linh124  You say your first guests come this Friday, but your listing already has two reviews. Have you joined us in a time machine? 🙂

It's not really possible to prevent guests from taking items, unless you have another superpower akin to your time-travel abilities. That's why hosts do what I call "guest-proofing." You keep personal, valuable and sensitive items securely locked away outside of guest access. You avoid having anything fragile in the guest space, and limit your guest amenities to things that are easy to count in your inventory check during changeovers. And you treat your guests with both warmth and no-nonsense firmness, so they can see that you have an open heart but won't tolerate any funny business.

Also, I recommend screening your guests personally rather than using Instant Book. Verified ID and past reviews are reasonable things to look for, but the best indication of what kind of people are requesting will come from the way they communicate. If the guests are from your local area, their plans seem vague or don't add up, or they seem to be seeking discounts or exceptions from your rules, either decline or ask follow-up questions until they've earned your trust.

[Linh124]

Thank you to taking the time reply to me. I got 2 reviews because my friends refer them to book with me for support, so i am not anything worry about them. This guest coming this Friday is totally stranger that's why made me nervous, of course we will have to go all through that, Its first for every thing. 

As for inventory checking during change over, What do i do if i loss a few things?

As i am new host and want to get book more that is why i set to Instant Book ( as airbnb recommended :)) I do asked them to verified government ID with their account, they only can Instant Book if they have government ID verified and good review from previous host. Also i do ask them to send me photo ID before check in but i am debating on keeping it as seems like turn away some people, but as you said if the guests are serious they will do whatever we asked .

Oh you said if guests from local i should ask more questions ?

[Anonymous]

@Linh124  First off, when Airbnb "recommends" using certain features, it's only because it serves their interest as a company - not necessarily because it's a good idea for you as a host. Instant Book is an option you might consider when you have real experience under your belt, but if you're still at the point where you feel like the worst thing that could happen is someone making off with your washcloths, you are absolutely on the wrong side of the learning curve. Please for the love of god turn it off immediately!

The ID verification is not what you think it is - really, there's no genuine vetting system of guests here. And while the dates on past reviews can indicate a consistent track record, the mere existence of a positive review means nothing. After all, anyone can arrange a trade-off to get some seed reviews in quickly - you know that because you already did so yourself!

The delicate question of what to do if you think an item has gone missing has so many variables that there's no easy answer to it other than "it depends." In all likelihood, if you're unlucky enough to get a dishonest thief for a guest, missing items are going to be at the very bottom of the list of things that go wrong. But just in case a claim becomes necessary later on, be sure you keep the receipts of all those brand-new furnishings you're worried about, and regularly take time-stamped pictures of your core guest features, as Airbnb can require these in the event of a dispute.

And regarding local guests - when you have a large Entire Home listing, these are big red flags because they're very frequently rented for parties, and there's no limit to the number of horror stories out there. There's an enormous amount of info from veteran hosts on these forums about how they deal with these situations, as well as a big reality check on how Airbnb handles them. Spoiler alert:  there's very little that Airbnb can realistically do for you, so you need to be your own gatekeeper, security service, and business manager. Airbnb is not your business partner, it's not looking out for you - it's just a listing service that you use, which it can freely remove you from at any moment with no explanation. 

[Linh124]

Thank you so much for your tips. As after I read Your comment I turn off Instant Book right away. I am better control the guests before let it run by itself. So I guess I don’t need to ask for ID photo as it doesn’t even mean much, I just have to choose widely the guests . If missing items as I understand it’s part of running a business , you are just lucky or not. Thanks for your advice about local guests, I am for sure will keep an eyes on tightly on that . I will have to keep reading all your tips here 

[Sharon1017]

I am new to this hosting as well, my first guest wanted me to accept cash from her boyfriend when he got into town, of course I just declined I would rather not have my guests coming ahead of time to pay in cash, seems a little fishy to me 

[Diana1523]

I am also a first time host - well, I am thinking to be one and to be honest I am not sure if I want to. I keep thinking - what if my guest gets so drunk inside my apartment, falls over, hurts himself and then decides to blame me? Locals won't do that because it is their fault obviously and they're not that entitled but I have read about how foreigners from western countries like to blame everything and everyone else under the sun for their mistakes and/or ignorance and even for natural disasters like flooding or earthquake which is obviously not the host's fault. Things like, what if they purposely damage the things / electrical outlets in my home and then hurt themselves and blame me, or use illegal substances or services. It's kinda terrifying now that I think of it, even more so for people like me who don't usually like dealing with people on various levels.

[Fotini11]

Hi guys,

I am jumping in as I am a new host too! I uploaded my property a few days ago and I was wondering if you have any tips for me to promote it (besides the usual methods through social media etc). Thank you!

[Maria-Giuseppa0]

Hello everyone

I want an advice. I have got a New host to introduce how can earn? What i have to do?