Work being done for a couple hours

[Steven614]

Is there a way to post for a certain day for my room I let on AirBnB that on a certain day if someone wants to rent that room they will need to be ok with something being done from a certain time?  Or do I just need to block off the day?  I’m only in my second month so I’m still learning the ropes. I did have an inquiry but it was from another host and hey wanted to bring their service dog which I don’t allow and I initially said no then I re thought it and said it would be ok but if the dog pees you will need it agree in advance to a $100 fee with no complaints on that charge and also I did say no because I was concerned that our service dog may, between the 2 of them, have an issue of some sort with jealousy or something. Causing one or both of them to pee to mark territory.  

But the the main thing I’m posting about is that this Friday I’m upgrading the guest room from an older 42 inch plasma tv to a wall mounted 55 inch.  I’m actually getting a 75 inch installed in the living room and putting the 55 currently in the living room in the guest bedroom.  So I want to make sure anyone booking is on with being out of that room for an hour or two while it is installed. We are doing it with the holes in the wall so no wires show.  So if it’s possible

tompost it let me know.  I did let the potential booker know and she has t replied yet. Maybe she was put off by my first replynor by being told there would be work done I dunno.  But after rethinking it I decided that as long as her dog didn’t pee it will be ok. And if her dog does it will incur a fee and if mine does I’m out of luck. So taking a chance but as long as she is ok w the work being done - I know sometimes ppl are looking for a lower priced option.  

Thanks in advance for your anticipated replies. 

[Lisa723]

@Steven614 as long as you are not allowing instant booking, you can always inform inquiring guests of the work and let them make the decision to book or not.

Just FYI Airbnb requires all hosts to accept service animals unless they live in the space and can claim a health or safety issue-- it sounds like you are in the clear because of your own dog, just something to keep in mind.

[Steven614]

Thank you Lisa. I reconsidered. I thought on it and the woman is fine with being here while the work is done installing a larger tv and my concerns with my dog and hers (it is my home) causing any issues were relaxed by her telling me that her dog is well trained and in a crate and agreeing that if there is any damage from the dog (particular concerns are urine marking where it might not easily be removed such as carpet or wall or bed etc or fleas) she will pay without complaint a claim on the deposit.  I’m pretty sure after speaking with her that her dog is well taken care of and will not be an issue. I love animals and don’t mind having them my concern is that with having a dog and cat here already I post a no animal policy so there isn’t any issue. I understand service animal policies. Ours is also a service animal but this is a private home and as long as I feel confident that the owner has things under control I’m ok with making an exception and as long as they’re willing to take responsibility should something happen.  I have a new home and while an accident on the floor is one thing, the carpet or bed is another. 

Thank you very much for your reply I’m pretty confident that this will be a good experience and the guest will be happy.  It’s actually win win because I was gonna block 2 of the 3 days for the installation.  

[Steven614]

this turned into a bad experience, my first really bad guest. She shows up w no crate, wee wee pads in hand and several very large pieces of luggage for a 3 day stay. And keeps dragging more out of her suv. Like a never ending parade of luggage. I started to ask about the dog being. Trained and got out of her that the dog sometimes pees on the pads “at night” but also that she sleeps with the dog and the dog being a small little dog. I’m very concerned about my brand new mattress and the pad being peed on as well as the carpets in the house.  I’m also concerned about the amount of luggage this woman is bringing in for a 3 day stay.  When I ask about the crate that never appears but is alluded to several times she raises her voice making a scene in my front yard going on about “if you are uncomfortable with this situation go ahead and refund me and I’ll leave” but doing this loudly and while making a scene for the neighbors.  I kept my cool and told her I’d call Air bNB and take care of it.  They told me while I didn’t have to refund her it was suggested.  I opted to refund her full payment of course. I’m not happy she made a scene in my front yard though.  Seemed a bit much.  

[Lisa723]

@Steven614 well that's too bad... regarding the bed, you definitely need waterproof mattress covers regardless of pets.

[Sarah977]

@Steven614  When a guest starts asking you to break your rules for them (no pets) you can be pretty well assured that they will continue to be troublesome. Stick to your rules- you host in your home so you can deny people bringing pets, even so-called service animals (which people lie about all the time just so they can bring FooFoo with them everywhere). And FYI a service animal is required to be with an owner all the time- if someone claims they have a service dog, they can't go out and leave the dog.

I'm a dog owner, and I seriously don't understand "pee pads". Take the dog for a walk. No dog needs to pee in the house, it's gross.

[Steven614]

Thanks for your input Sarah! I dunno what is up but I got a bad feeling.  I do have waterproof covers on my mattresses. But there were several red flags - the lack of a crate, the pads, what appeared to be enough luggage to stay a year and I didn’t mention before but there was also a giant plastic box of her make up up and stuff literally like a large storage box size which when I asked what that was on top of the other stuff she said her personal things like make up and hair dryer etc.  but it’s the type of plastic boxes I put Christmas decorations and store overflow cleaning supplies in.  Her messages to me directly said she would take all her things with her and not be around much as I was concerned about installing the big screen tv and mount in the guest room which was another lie because no way in hell she was lugging all that crap in and out every time she took off. Chalk it up to the first nightmare booking.  

[Sarah977]

@Steven614  Sounds like she's actually homeless and lives in Airbnbs, maybe. Or looking to relocate. No one just travels with giant totes full of stuff.

Hope you get better guests in the future. If someone asks you to break your rules for them, just answer politely "No, I'm sorry, I don't accept animals (or whatever other rule they're asking you to waive for them), as stated in my listing. All the best in finding a place which suits your needs."

You'll get adept at this after awhile 🙂