Problem Guests

[Ashlee15]

I have a family group that were annoyed that the refrigerator in my house wasn't empty. My understanding is that I need to leave room for guests to put their food in but they expected a totally empty fridge and freezer for their stay. I have now looked for the information to tell me what I am expected to provide for guests on the website, but I can't locate the answer at this time. They sent a phone message and told me they were going to throw everything away. My reply was that there was plenty of room for a four day stay in my fridge for them and i asked why they were looking in my freezer. They emptied out the freezer (except for what was on the door shelves). Most of the contents of the freezer was raw meat. They also  emptied much of what was in the main part of the fridge. They threw frozen raw meat away in the outdoor garbage bin without even tying it up in plastic bags. The raw meat spent four days in the heat of summer over New Year weekend (the house is near Sydney) and when I arrived it was swarming with flies and maggots and smelt awful. They also knew that I was expecting guests the next day. That was the worst of their crimes but they also ripped a hole in my old leather lounge suite, spilt make-up on one of my new sheets, and there was a pile of cigarette butts in my pot plant on the balcony, despite the fact that it is a no smoking house.

I am a new host and I am worried that if I say anything negative in a review that it will create a problem for me. They told me they would give me a good review but they expected some monetary return because they had had to clear and clean my fridge. I would be grateful to know how other hosts have handled a situation like this and what has been the outcome.

Regards Ashlee Critchley

[Ava30]

@Ashlee15,  I am so sorry you have to deal with such inconsiderate rude people. I read your listing and it clearly states that room is made in the cupboards and the refrigerators for guests. That tells me that those are shared spaces. But then not everybody can interpret correctly. Instead of wasting food, could you maybe get a second refrigerator in the garage or storage area with electricity and put a lock on it and put your own food in there when you are not on site? And lock your freezer as well if it is a separate unit. If not, I suggest you also get a separate freezer. Good Luck  with everything else. You’ve already got plenty of good advice on how to deal with the rest of the situation. 

[Ashlee15]

Thanks for your message Ava. And thanks for taking the time to look at my description. I actually revised it at the weekend so what you read had already been modified so that it was clear about being a family home. I orignally referred to it as a family home and thought that covered me, but now I have been more specific. Your message lets me know that I have covered myself for the future, so thank you very much. I will however just remove everything from the fridge in the future. This has been a learning experience.  Many thanks for your interest. Ashlee

[Natasha210]

Hello fellow hosts, 

Ashlee, apologies for hijacking your post, but I'm not seeing where else I can post this.  "Problem Guests" seems the most appropriate in my search so far.  I'd appreciate the input and suggestions of readers here. 

On Tuesday, I got a 'same-day' booking which I accepted based on the persons' profile.  When making contact with her regarding her check-in time, I discover that she made the booking on behalf of someone else.  I don't think this is allowed on Airbnb - is it?  Since her profile seemed reasonable and she said it was for a "friend", I decided to honour the booking.  Last time I do that!  Not having the reassurances of Airbnb's identification verifications, I have a stranger and her guests in my home which has left me feeling very uncomfortable and unsafe.  It has become clear over the last few days, that my home is not at all suited to the young woman and her lifestyle.  She brought a male guest the 2nd night she was here, expecting him to sleep over.  Had she seen and agreed to my listing, she would know that was not an option.  I had to ask the man to leave my property late at night.  Not very pleasant.  I have been trying to get things back on an even keel and be friendly so we can at least understand where each is coming from, but she has been passive aggressive since I had to ask her male friend to leave and every interaction is rife with tension.  I've now found weed on her dinner plate she left at the sink (contravening my 'no drugs on site' as per my listing.)  I'm not sure about how cancelling at this point in the booking works.  The FAQ's are about periods before bookings - not during it.  Also, as uncomfortable as I am, I don't like the idea of "throwing" a woman out on the street.  I will chat with her in the morning - she is out for the night.  But any tips would be useful. 

Kind regards, 

Natasha