Hello @Mike1034 and @Karen57
Yes, even though I was prudent in screening it turned sour when it came to paying the penalty for cancelation. I also am very lucky to have hosted many travel nurses and interns, this particular guest had four good reviews, two as a long term (3 month) guest, and this intro:
Hello, I will be relocating to the area for work and I am exploring various locations. My work requires coverage of 12 states, which may require overnights outside the area on fairly regular basis. Previously I worked as a travel nurse and used Airbnb for my 13 week assignments. I always had a great experience. Most of my work will be in Chicago and Milwaukee area. Have you hosted long term professional guests? I appreciate any further information you can provide. Thank you
I should have have questioned her asking if I've hosted long term guest since the title of the listing starts with Interns. : ) So, the issue is really the way payment is handled by Airbnb. If the total amount of the reservation was held on a credit card, by Airbnb, similar to the way car rental companies secure payment (this verifies the credit line is available) that may help.
In my case putting a hold on the funds would not have helped because, I am most certain, this woman had the funds available. Ultimately she was unhappy that she wouldn't be able to utilize the room as often as she thought she was going to. She canceled and obviously hadn't read the long-term cancelation policy. So what I am being told by Airbnb is that the funds she owes me are unavailable. Maybe she is using a debit card for payment and can keep the account under the amount she owes me.
As hosts I believe there should be a solution to this. I am sure I lost thousands on this one, just for the fact summer internship programs and halfway over so those interns already are booked elsewhere.
Any suggestions for a better way to get guests to make good on their payment/penalty obligations for long term stays? Verifying fund availability and holding funds is the only solution I can think of.