As a new host using Instant Book, how should I respond to a guest requesting dates they want?

[Renee323]

Thanks for your experience and advice, experienced hosts! I really appreciate your insight.

I am running an entire small home with a desirable location for a friend out-of-town for half the year. We just started this project and I have had a couple lovely stays the past 2 weekends. 

I am already booked up most of the remaining weekends for the year, but have had a request for two weekdays next week. This guest could easily Instant Book if he fulfilled the requirements of Gov't. ID, etc. I do require previous reviews, which he may not have, but I can't tell because his profile is just a first name, last initial, and city and state. He does have a verified phone number and created his profile 3 years ago. 

I have no reason to say no, but this is something that seems easily remedied with a little effort on the guest's part. 

What does your experience tell you I ought to do in this case?

Cheers,

Renee

[Emilia42]

@Renee323 

First, click this link and make sure that the box is checked. That way you will not get unverified guests requesting to book again:

https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/requirements

You can then send the guest a message that says something along the lines of:

"I do require that all guests have verified profiles with a government ID. Are you able to submit a government ID via Airbnb before I confirm the booking? If you are not willing to do so by XX time, I will decline your request but I do look forward to hosting you once you have fulfill the booking requirements!"

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/336/what-are-profile-verifications-and-how-do-i-get-them

If the guest had previous reviews you would see them on his profile. This info is not hidden from hosts.

I, personally, think that requiring guests with previous good reviews is a gamble. I've had great first time Airbnb-ers and I've had experienced Airbnb-ers on their 20th stay who I would not welcome back. So that part is up to you. If you would feel more comfortable that they have previous reviews, them send them a decline. 

In most cases, you can usually get a good feeling from the guest based on their communication. If the guest is reluctant to meet your booking requirements or doesn't respond, then you definitely don't want to give them the keys to your friends home. 

[Kath9]

@Renee323, yes, listen to @Emilia42 and require that all guests have government ID in future. It's not foolproof but it's something. Once this is updated, politely message your guest and ask that they upload their ID if they wish to go ahead with the booking. As Emilia said, their reaction will probably tell you all you need to know. You should be able to see a guest's previous reviews (if any) on their booking request.

[Sarah977]

@Renee323  I've never used IB, so all my guests have to send a request. I've never required govt.ID myself, but I base my acceptance on whether the guest has communicated in a friendly, informative and polite manner, and whether they have some good reviews. Also that they answer me in a timely fashion. I've even accepted those with no reviews, but their communication was indicative to me of someone who would be a good guest, and I wasn't disappointed. But I'm almost 70, have done a lot of property management as well as hosting, so have a sixth sense about these things. Being a bit inexperienced, you might be wise to stick to the ID verification, good reviews, etc, until you feel confident to judge whether the guest will be alright.

[Renee329]

Thanks, everyone! I sent a reply stating that I require the verifications since I was new, to let me know if he needed help; and he kindly stated he's new, too, and would get it all done, which he did. I approved him since he had no reviews and couldn't instant book. Seems like a decent fellow.

I think I'll stick to the requirements for now, certainly. 

[Daphne70]

@Renee329  I don't use instant book but do require government ID and a full name and proper profile photo. I have had booking requests from newbies whom I have asked to complete the verification process which they have done with no problem. But I had one enquiry where the guest was not verified and when I asked her to do it she threw up all sorts of excuses one after the other. I think she was trying to get me to drop the requirement but I held firm and she eventually withdrew her request. I was relieved when that happened because people who think they are a special case and the rules do not apply to them are probably going to continue to be trouble. In my view how a guest complies with that simple request is a good indication of their willingness to follow your house rules.