Problems with lodger

Problems with lodger

I just started posting my apartment on Airbnb. My fourth guests are now an hour after arrival complaining that my apartment still has some of my stuff in itand that it isn’t completely empty. He is directly threatening me with a bad review. Furthermore I am of course worried about my personal stuff. How can I deescalate the situation or what else can I do?

13 Replies 13
Katrina79
Level 10
Saskatchewan, Canada

@Dominik162 You have the option of cancelling this guests stay. You can phone Airbnb, tell them you are not comfortable hosting your guest and they will ask him to leave. He will still be able to leave a review and he will get a full refund. 

Thank you @Katrina79 . They get a refund and can review me is a little bit worst of both worlds, or not?

"a little bit worst of both worlds"

Welcome to the world of Airbnb when you have an uncooperative guest  🙂

Amanda660
Level 10
Auchenblae, United Kingdom

How many nights are they in for and what is it they actually want to resolve the matter a discount, to remove everything or yours?  What’s left in the apartment that’s bothering them so much? 

 

People that threaten bad teviews should be struck off Airbnb 😞

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Dominik162  Sorry you got such a nasty guest. You could say to him that as he isn't happy with the situation, you suggest that he cancl the remainder of his stay and look for a place he will be happier with. If he refuses, as Katrina advised, you can contact Airbnb and ask them to cancel the reservation without penalties to you. Make sure to tell them that he directly threatened you with a bad review. And try to keep all communication with guests on Airbnb messaging, not phone, text, whatsapp, etc, so there is always a record of an exchange, like extortion when threatening a bad review.

And so you don't have this issue in the future- many guests who book an entire place lsting expect that it will be empty of personal items, just like  hotel room would be. But many hosts rent out their homes, which have a lot of their personal stuff in it successfully. You do say in your description that you live there half the year, but if I were you, I would add a bit of explanation to that- something like "I live in the apartment myself for half the year, so this is not an "empty" space- some of my personal items are in the closets, on the shelves, etc. It is my home." And I would remove any valuables or irreplacable or sentimental items that you would be really upset about if they disappeared or were damaged.

Thank you, @Amanda660  and @Sarah977  for your valuable advices. I already contacted Airbnb. They were nagging around that not every shelf is empty for them. I have to say a wardrobe, a closet and a big sideboard should be enough for clothes for two people for 6 days. For me it was enough for 9 years:-) and they wanted an empty fridge: well there was a bottle of water, milk, jam, two beers and some sauces for my guests inside. They know that, as they got my welcome letter.

Amanda660
Level 10
Auchenblae, United Kingdom

Sounds like a fun 6 days - NOT.

 

When they threaten you with a poor review what is it they expect you to do to remove the threat?

 

Like you I leave items in my fridge - jam, butter, OJ and milk.  Occasionally a few beers or a bottle of fizz if there’s an occasion - guests are usually grateful. 

Yes. Everybody was grateful up to now @Amanda660 . I wrote them a welcome letter that they can use what they need. If you stay just for a couple of days you don‘t wanna buy milk, onions, mustard I.e.. So I have that stuff there. A couple of beer and water ist just to be nice. 

They are with the help of Airbnb out now and left the keys at my neighbor (as I am 500km away). I asked him to check my apartment and they turned every heating to max, opened the windows and left every light turned on. what is wrong with them? Lucky they are gone:-))

Marie82
Level 10
New South Wales, Australia

@Dominik162  sorry it happened to you, but show again how the whole Airbnb spirit is gone. Guests are not interested in someone home and just want to pay the price but have a Hotel style Apartment.

 

Only for 6 days and they could not share storage space/wardrobe, in which planet are we?

 

If not done yet, put in the big capital letter that u leave in the property and ur belonging still there when u are away 

 

Hope the next guest will be nice 

Thanks @Marie82 , there was even Space just for them, a wardrobe, a cabinet and a long sideboard with 4 drawers. Way more than in any hotel Just not every cabinet in my apartment:-) thanks for your support 

John1080
Level 10
Grafton, VT

@Dominik162., in every case going forward, also, make sure all communication is through Airbnb, so if he is threatening a poor review for example, you have evidence to show CS at Airbnb to help you side of things. 

 

It seems these people were not really understanding Airbnb and this is one of those cases where they truly were 'better suited to a hotel'. 

Thanks @John1080 . Yeah, this might be their best way. Suckers:-)

 

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