On TV, Toronto News broadcast this last Friday Nov. 10, stated a story about Law Suits over poor accommodation ratings. "Defamation of Character". What is going to happen with the rating system on Airbnb who promote not only good but bad ratings. We are always prompted as hosts and guests to give a star rating. Apparently if you are not happy with the ratings, you have the right now to sue!
I have guests who feel the right to damage, dirty, and be disrespectful with our linens and/or furnishings. I get really upset picking up garbage, cleaning food off the stove, counters, walls, dirty fingerprints on the door frames and kick marks on the doors. Lets not forget the splatters of toothpaste on the vanity and mirror etc, etc, etc. We offer a newly renovated home...new furnishings, carpets, freshly painted walls "corner to corner". There is no way this house is dirty...not even a single cobweb to be found and we live in a forested area. Then along comes a 3 star rating..."cleanliness, communication, value???"
How about those guests who dont contact you to let you know their estimated time of arrival and then leave a low rating for "communication" or "arrival" or "accuracy". I am extremely wordy and made absolutly sure that they are aware of every little detail to make sure it is a "good fit" before accepting a booking. I live next door and cant be available every minute of the day waiting...and I try to be there to meet and greet. I leave the door unlocked with the key and note inside for their questionable arrival time; not to mention that the note asks that they call when they do finally arrive! (which they never do) And they get to sue us for rating them accordingly???
To leave a less than acceptable review for these slobs would possibly upset them to think a law suit is feasible!??? Do we as hosts now have to take before and after pictures for every guests that enters to now prove that we offer nothing but the highest standards...just in case??? Or consider a "walk through" with guests arriving just to make sure that they are 100% confident with cleanliness, communication, accurracy. And Meet and Greet...just doesnt coordinate with their agenda.
Com'mon Airbnb...address this issue. Are you going to be there for us when this issue becomes REAL to deal with? I have been addressing this issue for the past three years with Airbnb. I lost my "superhost" because of one low review from guests who "absolutely loved" everything! She did mention that I was a fabulous host. (so how does that translate to 3* accuracy, 4*communication, 3*cleanliness) Cant improve what I dont know. If they leave less than 5*, then there should be a comment to back it up...no comment...no star rating!