how well is a guest screened?

[Robin77]

How do I know my new guest is not an ax murderer?  When I started Airbnb, I thought everyone was backgrounded checked.  I also did not relize I had instant check in.  I have since changed that.  I have a guest coming in next week that won't answer my message.  I am worried.

[Linda108]

Hello @Robin77.  Please do not confuse the Air BNB validation process with a background check.  You can have more control if you set a few restrictive settings.  Require validation and at least one positive review for Instant Booking.  Set a fairly high Security Deposit.  Require at least a day between reservations.  Do not accept same day reservations.  Have a strick cancellation policy.  These suggestions are for you to get a sense of the business that works for you.  Later you can loosen up but start strict while you learn.  While you are honing your instincts about this new adventure, do not ignore any signals you are not comfortable with.  Sure you will make mistakes and perhaps decline wonderful guests, but until you know what to look for, go conservative and listen to your first response.

Be sure to become as knowledgeable as you can about this business including what Air BNB offers and be sure to understand the regulations of your city.  I wish much success!

[Linda108]

BWT  What a lovely home!!  Please add a security deposit, NOW.  Even the most wonderful guest can cause damage.  

[David126]

AirBnB is essentially a booking service with a few frills. 

No background check, not practical apart from anything else.

[Clare0]

@Robin77 If you read the new Terms of Service carefully you will see that US guests are subject to a background check: 

"For users in the United States, Airbnb may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and if we have sufficient information to identify a user, obtain reports from public records of criminal convictions or sex offender registrations of the user. For users outside the United States, we may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and if we have sufficient information to identify a user, obtain the local version of background or registered sex offender checks in our sole discretion. You agree and authorize us to use your personal information, such as your full name and date of birth, to obtain such reports, including from Airbnb's vendors."

So to answer your question, after the first murder, Airbnb will delete their account.  Just kidding!  🙂

Don't be too worried if a guest doesn't answer your messages right away.  They may be travelling and Wi-Fi or other connections might be sketchy.  Not necessarily a reflection on what kind of guest they are.  If they are international travellers, they may have their phones turned off to avoid extra charges.  If the guest doesn't respond within 24 hours of their check in time, contact Airbnb. 

Clare

[Deborah1]

"may" doesn't mean that they do!

[Clare0]

@Deborah1 True.  I require Verified ID for anyone to book my place and that's sufficient for me.  I've hosted people with and without reviews and have not had any problems.  One learns over time how to screen guests and know what is a good fit and what isn't. 

If you require background checks on every guest, well, maybe this isn't the right business for you. I can appreciate the anxiety one feels about letting a person enter their home be it an Entire Home listing or a Shared /Private Room, but consider that Airbnb processes on a daily basis millions of trouble free reservations.  Statiscally, you're more likely to be killed by a drunk driver. 

You need to consider how comfortable you are renting your space on Airbnb and make the decision that's righ for you.

Clare

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

In addition to @Linda's and the other suggestions, you can also do a quick look up of their name on LinkedIn, Facebook, and general internet search. So if someone says, I am a doctor coming for a conference, etc..then you should be able to find them online. Again it's no guarantee of past or future behaviour but I found it quite surprising (maybe I shouldn't!) how many people have open, public profiles on other sites.