Instant booking. The problem for me is if a guest instant books very late in the day/night and I have no notice they are coming Random person just shows up and enters the home, and sometimes they show up with 1 or 2 extra people they did not add in the booking which i charge more for and have restrictions on how many people can book!
I have several properties.
Scenario 1- So if it is a property I live at, it can be a problem if a guest comes in my home at 11pm at night and i am asleep unaware of them! can be seen as a home intruder? especially if i have several other people living at the property.
Scenario 2- If I have just rented the room long term or short 30 minutes ago. then someone instant books and either shows up in 10 minutes. (problem and leaves a negative review) or I have to cancel there reservation before they show up, negative strike (this has happened- but luckily i didnt have instant book on for this reason and i was able to tell them it was rented locally) still a negative strike!
Scenario 3- If I have to unlock a main gate to the property and make sure the place is tidy before a guest.(or have someone else drive over to do it when im out of town- for last minute or late booking thas is a challenge because my cleaner may not be available immediately) (due to low short term traffic in the area and it being a vacant home- also with me not being around sometime there may be a dead insect in the floor that may cause a guest to be upset, (hints the I need to check over the property before they come)
I hope Airbnb staff can improve this. because instant booking has a lot of benefits for hosts including listings at the top of search results. but it can have some safety concerns.
I have done ok without it, but my safety and my other renters safety/comfort has outweighed using instant booking.
