I wanted to get some opinions as I'm only on my second round of guests and still have things to learn about hosting.
My question is somewhat hypothetical, but what are exactly the rules about clothing and personal items left behind in a room after checkout. For instance, if checkout time is at 11AM and I come home at 1PM to find the house empty, yet the guest left a bunch of clothes in the closet and personal items like toothbrush, razor, etc in the bathroom, what would one do?
I ask this since there is some basis in the Airbnb horror stories around the web (of which there are several). From what I have read, most of time when people left all their clothes and things in the room after checkout, its because they want to get back into the house as a potential squatter. I have also heard of some law in Texas where the police can't do anything to an overstaying Airbnb guest if they still have all of their belongings in the house. I've also heard that if the host removes them, they will be delisted by Airbnb.
So would you just gather up everything in a tot or plastic bag? Keep it by the door or put it outside Or actually be required to leave it in the room (which could be a problem if you have another guest coming). Thoughts?