what to do if a previous renter wants to rent directly by passing airBnB?

[Leslie64]

what to do if a previous renter wants to rent directly by passing airBnB?

[Sarah977]

@Leslie64  It's really up to you. If this was a good guest who you have no qualms about accepting again, then you can rent to them privately if you wish- just because someone first came to you through Airbnb, doesn't mean Airbnb owns the relationship between you and this person once their Airbnb booking has come to an end. Many hosts rent through different booking platforms, their own websites, or privately, in addition to through Airbnb.

Just be aware that unless you are confident that this person won't cause you any grief, you'll be totally on your own if things go bad with them for some reason.

What isn't acceptable is for a guest you've never hosted before to use the Airbnb platform to contact you and try to get you to exchange contact info to cut Airbnb out of the deal.

I've never had a repeat guest, but I do tell all the great guests to hang onto my phone number and email address in case they ever want to come back.

[Leslie64]

Dear Sarah977,

this has been VERY helpful to me.  Very measured and well reasoned whereas my first reaction was more emotional, not wanting to compromise my relationship with AirBnB.  You made some great opints that I agree with.

Much appreciated!

[Kate110]

I agree with Sarah's comments but can't remember if there's anything in Airbnb's terms which cover this eventuality. I'd feel I'd paid Airbnb for their introduction to a guest who wanted a subsequent private rental but wonder if, like some estate agents, Airbnb would argue that any guest they've introduced to the host via their platform should have to pay the Airbnb fee each time they rent? I guess I'll have to check the small print but if anyone can enlighten me before I search for a condition that isn't there, I'd be grateful!

[Susan17]

@Kate110 

There is no such condition in the T&Cs - nor would it stand up in any court of law when challenged, even if there were! - so save yourself a very long and very boring trawl through acres of legalese gobbledegook! 🙂

Once a booking has ended, and Airbnb has been paid in full (up to a whopping 25% off the top, from both host and guest), their role has ended, and Airbnb has no proprietary rights whatsoever over any future relationship/transactions between the two. 

While the guest may indeed have found the host's listing through the platform, it's the extent and quality of the host's home, hospitality and hard graft that will makes the guest want to return for a further visit. Airbnb has no hand, act or part in that, so no reason for them to cream off another 20-25% from any future stays the guest decides to book.  

[Kate110]

Many thanks, Susan 17, that sounds entirely reasonable and is enough to put my mind at rest! All the best, Kate

[David5641]

You can, just block the dates. But if something happens, then you can no longer ask for help from airbnb. Also, if you're a superhost, this may affect your status especially if the reservation is long term because you need a minumum of 10 bookings per quarter as one of the requirement for the superhost status.

[Elena87]

@David5641 

This isn't entirely accurate regarding ''10 bookings per quarter '' - Please see below for the criteria.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/829/how-do-i-become-a-superhost

[Sarah977]

@David5641  You need a minimum of 10 booking in the entire year previous to the assessment date, not 10 per quarter.

[David5641]

And the assessment period is per quarter right? Jan 1st Apr 1st Jul 1st and Oct 1st

[Sarah977]

@David5641  Yes. But the stats used each quarter are based on the previous 365 days leading up to it, not the quarterly stats.