Reviewing Our First Bad Airbnb Guests

[Mo102]

We have, thankfully, just checked out our 10th lot of guests and the first ones that we wouldn't welcome back. I want to leave a review to alert other hosts that they're undesirable. For context, they were visiting family/friends, so we need to be mindful of locals knowing where we are if they take offence (he arrived with a black eye, so let's surmise that they're not keeping the most genteel company). We let one double room in our home, private bathroom, sitting room for guests to use - access is through our open plan living area and past our bedroom. I'll list the problems:

1. No previous reviews - we thought this was because they are new to Airbnb, but after a conversation with them we guess it's more to do with them not receiving any reviews from other hosts. Other newbies have all been lovely it's not put me off.
2. Not wanting to communicate via Airbnb but via WhatsApp - I now suspect this is to avoid a trail on their account. Lesson learned.
3. Being poor at communicating an arrival time (we personally welcome guests as we have a dog) - pushing hours beyond what we advertise - then arriving late and drunk (I was already in bed, hubby dealt with them).
4. Asking for alcohol on arrival - we explained we're not that setup and we're not licensed. He persisted.
5. Smoking in the bedroom, despite advertising as no smoking and being told that if they wanted to smoke, they'd have to go in the garden (which when they did, they left all doors open for it to drift in).
6. Coming in early hours, drunk, waking us up in the process, then asking for alcohol again.
7. Ringing at 11pm to ask for us to accommodate extra family members that night. Refused. Tried to argue that we had other rooms - maybe so, but they're not for letting. We then couldn't sleep, listening out to see if they tried to sneak anyone in - and ditto for going out the next day, we didn't want to leave them in the house alone.
8. Gate-crashing a dinner we were having with our friends - drunk again I may mention.
9. Sneaking around late at night - we found packaging for wine and chocolates they had stolen from our fridge when we emptied their room after they left. They'd also drunk several bottles of spirits they'd brought for good measure (on a 4 night stay).
10. Asking for an extension on check out time - absolutely bloody not!

So, they will be getting 1*, a thumbs down and a blocking, but first - does this sound like a warning to other hosts?

X and X appear new to Airbnb and we are always happy to take people with no previous reviews to welcome them to the Airbnb family. However, they seemed not to understand the principle of staying as a guest in someone’s home, with unrealistic expectations of host goodwill and little adherence to advertised house rules.

Any thoughts on if this needs to be reworded?

Thanks!

[Lawrene0]

I would pare it down, @Mo102 . I like your last sentence, and think it does the trick. So:

X and X repeatedly demonstrated unrealistic expectations of host goodwill and little adherence to house rules. We wish them the best, but cannot recommend them.

Now, the "we wish them the best" is only to placate the local crowd. As you say, there are black eyes involved. Would this wording work for you?

[Mo102]

Thanks for this advice Lawrene, I've changed it as suggested. Ugh, why can't people play nicely.

[Justin271]

You may rate them low stars and not recommended them and they will not be able to view that but if your afraid of a retaliatory response from your review avoid leaving one and say something semi nice and short without rocking the boat. All future hosts will see their low ratings and hopefully will avoid them. Best of luck.

[Linda108]

As you so correctly understand, @Mo102 , the audience for your review are other hosts.  So sorry that apparently the previous hosts did not take their role as part of the host community to heart.  I agree with @Lawrene0  suggestion that you keep the review more concise.  

I am also willing to work with newbies, but I do that after a couple of messages in which I ask several strategic questions and require message confirmation they understand the shared home aspect of my listing.  Depending on how these messages are responded to, I will accept the booking.

[Lorna112]

Hi - how terrible were they? and what do you say - I believe in - if I don't have anything good to say.  Say nothing at all:  

[Mark116]

@Lorna112  So, you think that @Mo102  should just let these drunken louts continue to book on airbnb by not even reviewing them at all?  I don't get it.  Would  you want to hose people like this?  I know I wouldn't.

@Mo102  PS...I thought you draft review wording was perfect.

[Lorna112]

100% agree - I want to avoid them at all cost.. but when you tell AirBnb that - the guest will find a way to flip it on you and claim you are the issue. delicate balance these reviews... you'll see.  I'm with you 100%

[Lorna112]

I pick a my battles very carefully! technically my neighbors can send anyone to book my B&B with preplan partying... just saying! 

[Mo102]

I really considered that option, but just don't want anyone else to have to put up with them!