Can I charge for odor from a guest leaving food out?

[Camille-And-Natalie0]

Hello Fellow Hosts and Hostess, 

I hope all is well and I have a question. I am new to the hosting side of Airbnb but as a guest I always tried to clean up after myself somewhat before check out. My partner and I had our second guest stay for 7 days, family of 3. They were very poor on communication and about 4 days into the stay they asked to leave a little early, no problem, we promptly responded and asked what day and time they wanted to leave and they never responded back. They finally responded back this afternoon (Thursday) and Friday morning was supposed to be thier last. They requested a refund for the last night and we had to decline. When my partner and I went to the house the same afternoon to start cleaning because we had an reservation on Saturday. As soon as we opened the door the whole house smelled like garbage, there was pots and pans left in the sink full of food to the point we had to air out the house for the whole night and scrubbed the whole house and it still has not helped. Is it an option to charge the guests a odor eliminating fee? We are concered it is going to effect our guests on Saturday and not sure if this is 'part of hosting' or something we can be accomodated for. 

Any advice is much appreciated!! 

Camille 

[Linda108]

Well that could not have been very pleasant, right?  You cannot charge a "fee" unless it is posted and agreed between guest and host.  I think you are seeking a "claim" related to the condition of the house after checkout.  Claims are for expenses due to damage.  You will have to present receipts for the expenses.  If you are cleaning and have to take more of your time, you do not have a receipt.  If you are purchasing anti odor products, then there is a receipt and you can make the claim on the Security Deposit (assuming you have one).  You have to make the claim with a message to the guest, who either agrees or not and then if not, you make the claim through Air BNB and you provide proof of the guest action causing the damage.  All this must happen before the next guest checks in.  Is it doable?  

It is in these type of cases that require a good, honest review by you. Keep to the facts, and unless you want to recommend these guests to other hosts, give a thumbs down review.  Sorry this happened to you so early in your hosting, but it is the exception, not the rule. Good luck!!

[Inna22]

@Camille-And-Natalie0 

Odors are hard to prove. Charging this guest a fee will lead to nothing but a bad review for you. I bought a $60 ozone machine and have used it several times. Well worth the investment if you are planning on hosting full time

[Susan17]

@Inna22 

It's true that odours are hard - if not impossible - to prove. That doesn't stop Airbnb from routinely refunding guests on foot of spurious odour claims though! 

[Inna22]

@Susan17 

Terms do state that the guest has to have some sort of proof. I was successful in fighting a guest’s claim about smoke odor once by asking for proof. Although I know it would not go past CS to just make a decision if they feel like it

[Moira21]

Hi @Camille-And-Natalie0  In my house rules I state to guests to clean up in the kitchen after use. If they were to break the rule to the extent you've stated I would take photos if making a claim.