What happens if I don't leave a review for my guest? Can the still leave a review for me?

[Maggie22]

I can't seem to find the answer to this question anywhere on airbnb.  I have had about several guests so far - all except for one have been wonderful.  I have decided not to leave a bad review for this guest, even though I think other hosts should know that the guest was a 'bust' as guests go.  Not anything major, but at the same time, I would not recommend this guest to other hosts.   The guest had nothing but good reviews, mind you, and I am left to wonder if other hosts who were unhappy and tempted to leave a bad review decided against it, because there was just no match between what the guest's reviews were, and the guest's behavior and attitude at my place.

Meanwhile, I keep getting the come on from airbnb reminding me I have only so many days to leave a review.  The guest has not apparently left a review for me, which is fine. 

My question is - what happens if I DON'T leave a review?  Can the guest still leave one for me?  Or is the guest prevented from leaving a review unless I leave one also? 

Thank you.

[Nelli1]

Thank you @Victoria0.  Please note that I didnt shred the towels, they came out of the wash torn up in the places the face mask was stuck on.  Note that I only soaked in Oxi overnight and washed on regular cycle.  I really appreciate you help. Thank you.

[Ginger46]

Hi Maggie and all. I just had this issue for the first time ever, and boy, it was tough. The guest had only great reviews. I suspect other hosts may have been scared to be honest about their experiences with her. The guest was not mean and did not trash my home (although she did rearrange everything for the kids). However, she peppered me with questions - some of them repetitive - to the point that I actually got a message from AirBnb, asking if the person was spamming me! That should have been a red flag for me. Upon arrival, there was a snafu with the pool heat pump. I gave her a HUGE rebate, offered to relocate her to my other oceanfront condo next door, gave her the key over there, apologized, etc. The heat pump was fixed right away., so she found other stuff to complain about while enjoying not one but two pools. She reported that there were gnats on the balcony and the rainbow nighttime lights at pool number two were not working (we checked and they were indeed working). She left us a massive mountain of laundry and sent me a private note saying it was very clean but she saw a handprint on the balcony door. LOLZ!!! My solution was to write a “compliment sandwich” as her review. To do this, start with a compliment (“what a dear family” or something), then go into detail without judgment about what happened during the stay, then end with another compliment or nice phrase (“we hope they enjoyed their stay!”). Other hosts will understand that this person should have booked a hotel room, not a person’s cherished private home. Also, at the end of the reviewing process, you will be asked if you would recommend the person to others. Just say NO. The guest does not see that. Hope that helps. Good luck with all your guests!

[Martyn16]

I have a difficult one...couple came and stayed at mine over Christmas. My neighbour checked them in as I was away. She does this for me often. They have good, but brief reviews and left the place clean. They broke a mirror but paid for that. However, as a couple I days have passed, I noticed a good bottle of wine had disappeared. When I asked them about it, they denied drinking it and seemed surprised at the suggestion. Then, a couple more days passed and I realise two full bottles of spirits have gone. I'm convinced it's them but they could always argue that neighbour also has keys if I were to make a deal of it. I can't decide how to reviee them or to leave them unreviewed. I can't make an accusation in a review. Any thoughts?

[Helen3]

Personally @Martyn16 if I had a whole listing, I wouldn't leave expensive wine and alcohol in areas that guests could access, or any expensive items to be honest.

Have they reviewed you yet? Have you reviewed them?

In your situation, I would contact them again and say unfortunately having checked the house (and do check it thoroughly in case anything else is gone), there are three bottles of alcohol that are no longer there which will cost XXX to replace and that you would be grateful if they can forward this through the resolution centre.

If they don't Airbnb will arbitrate and decide whether they owe the money.

They would find it hard to argue that your co-host would be responsible (I am assuming you know this neighbour well and this has never happened before when they have co-hosted for you).

[Martyn16]

Thanks. I take your point about not leaving them out but have always felt that a system based on reviews and trust would mean I need not prepare for pilfering. After all, that booze would have been an effort to carry - they had a car so could just have well taken my TV or pots and pans.

I haven’t reviewed them and think it’s interesting that they’re taking their time to review.

Yes, my co-host is a long-time neighbor and has checked guests in for me many times and even changed bedding and cleaned on some occasions.

i don’t want to compromise my super-host status with a protracted dispute but feel hurt and angry  by the theft.

[Helen3]

It is up to you as to how you deal with it @Martyn16

It is not about what guests can steal, but that they can drink the alcohol while they are there.

Guests can and do (as you have found) drink alcohol/eat food/steal items from a whole listing.

Guests get away with this behaviour in part because hosts don't call them out for it either by lodging a claim/leaving an honest review.

In your situation I would make a claim, particularly once the guest had left a review.

[Alison433]

c

[Cara184]

There is always a nice way to leave a bad review. The hamburger method may work. Say something positive to start and something positive to end - but sandwich the negative inside. We have to be honest - to help one another as hosts - but we can be diplomatic and kind with our words. If someone sees 50 awesome comments about  you and 1 brutal one from an unhappy guest - people will skip right past that seeing it for what it is. Also-you don't have to comment at all about whether you would host them again. There's a separate box for that when you leave a review.

Just my thoughts -