@ Kimberly in WA and others ...
In my experience Airbnb will do nothing about damages, violations of house rules, personal safety threats, theft, local ordinances, or other laws.
The “$million host protection” policy and others promised before you sign up is negated by fine print in the terms of service we all agree to, and they don’t enforce security deposits either.
Airbnb will also remove (even justified) negative reviews of a guest at their request (but leave them about us in reverse), and won’t ban or tag bad guests. Even when they did for a time, the same guests were allowed to create new profiles and keep booking.
Its all about collecting those inflated booking fees from guests folks.
Its not like this on other platforms. They encourage professional conduct like real host/tenant contracts, security deposits and ID required/verification.
There is a Facebook page for bad guest shares and searches:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/188885775174427/?multi_permalinks=413518529377816¬if_id=15590990388...
Its the the best we can do when using Airbnb as a booking service along with turning off instant booking. It’s more work but at least you have control and can screen guests yourself.
If you filed a police report and have info from their ID/profile you may be able to sue for damages via small claims or address any party ordinances via civil means. Otherwise your homeowners insurance might help you out with damages.
Should you choose to continue with Airbnb, and use instant book, Choose the strictest screening options such as must have positive host reviews, no previous bad reviews, Verified ID, facial photo, and completed profiles. If you turn off instant book you can do all of that yourself and discern if you even want to host based on the profile info and quality of those pre-book messages, which often reveal red flags. I’ve refused several requests to book based on these conversations’ content, tone, responsiveness, level of respect and entitlement, and if it’s apparent they haven’t read the details of the listing. I’ve also cancelled if they show up with extra people. If they’re lying or disrespectful from the get-go, I don’t want them here.
How you write your listing narrative is also very important. Make it specific to attract the kind of guest you DO want. For example: This is perfect for professionals needing a quiet place to work or regroup or this space is ideal for a couples getaway...
If you’re renting out rooms in your home and you live there, how is it one set of guests were able to have a party and the others were able to get into and stay in the wrong room?
Id have locks on each of the bedroom doors so unused rooms would be off limits and guests could also feel confident their things are secure and enjoy privacy in their designated space.
I’d also make a point to be home (or have another responsible adult there) during the guests’ stays to offer hospitable presence and monitor goings on and prevent theft.