I've been a host now for a couple of years (going on 3 I think) and my experiences have been 99% positive. I run a tight ship and I generally consider myself a good judge of character, but after reading these posts on the Community site, I'm having newfound anxiety about hosting! I used to think those horror stories about Airbnb in the paper were just corner cases, but then I read here and I see all the things that are happening in people's homes and I'm starting to think that Community Center is a bad idea!
What's even more shocking is that some of the hosts are just as bad as the guests! Neither read the rules then start angrily shaking their fist at Airbnb. How many posts can you have shouting "AIRBNB WHERE'S MY MONEY!?" After browsing this Community Site I have a list of tips for hosts:
1. If you're only doing this for the money, don't bother. You're going to be a lousy host and you'll be miserable.
2. Don't accept every single booking request without scrutinizing the legitimacy of the profile and the integrity of the person. You can tell a LOT just by how a person writes.
3. The DECLINE button is your friend! Use it freely! Trust your gut and click that sucker anytime something feels off!
4. Review EVERYONE no mattter how short or long the stay.
5. Start a conversation with your guest during the booking process. Get to know their plans, why they're coming etc. A red flag for me is anytime someone tries to book without saying a word.
6. Have a "customer is always right" mentality within limits. Even if you hate them, as long as they're not trashing your house, just grin and bear it and after they leave vent inside the review!
7. Expect that guests will not read the rules because they rarely do. Reiterate the rules when they arrive and don't assume they are aware of anything.
8. Do not accept proxy bookings! Never take bookings for someone else, not fathers for sons, daughters for mothers, friends for friends, NONE! This breaks the entire review system and is against airbnb policy anyway.
9. DO greet your guests like friends coming to visit.
10. DO encourage them to write a review and explain why it's important not just for you but for the community!
