Hello everyone,
I am fairly new to Airbnb and have had a issue with a male guest.
I am a solo mum of a 7 year old and have a spare room which I offer on airbnb. I make a general rule to not allow male guests as I feel I am in a vulnerable position and my son and I are my number 1 priority. I have also left a past abusive relationship.
Two nights ago a male booked the spare room. I (stupidly) decided against my better judgement and accepted the booking for 7 nights. I thought perhaps I was being over cautious and that maybe having a male wouldn't be an issue.
The first night was a non issue. He came in around 8:30, by which time my son was asleep and I was about to start some work in another room. He did however state he would be gone by 6am for work.
I woke at 8am to hear my son talking to a man. I instantly got out of bed to find the guest in my kitchen talking to my 7 year old. I asked him what had happened with work and he said that he had received a message the night before saying he no longer needed to come in. If I had known he was going to be there I would have been up out of bed with my son. I talked to him about how long he would be staying in town for work and he said he needed to find a longer term house. I actually felt a little creeped out by him. As I work in property I suggested I could help find him a place. Within an hour I had 3 places for him to view. I didn't tell him, but I offered this so that I could move him out of my house ASAP.
I needed to run some work errands and didn't feel safe leaving him in my home alone (again, just a feeling I had), so I suggested he come for the drive and I could show him the houses along the way.
Later yesterday, my son and him watched a movie together. During that time, my son mentioned I had a boyfriend and talked about his step siblings.
Last night, after my son went to bed, I decided to sit on the couch and watch TV. He sat down next to me and stretched him arm out so it was touching my shoulder. I moved as far away into the corner of the couch that I could and he moved closer. He asked me if I had seen any Indian movies and I told him I hadn't. He then asked if he could hold my hand, to which I said "No Thank you". He then moved closer again and told me he could help me to relax, i just gave him my hand. I again said "No Thank you." He moved closer again and I said "I need my space please." To which he moved away a fraction but again asked for my hand. I told him I wasn't available. He said that he wanted to be a close friend of mine. At this point I was so totally freaked out that I got up off the couch and went to the kitchen. He also got off the couch and was behaving very uncomfortably. I told him that I was in a vulnerable position being a solo mum and that I don't feel comfortable with men, particularly ones making advances to me and that this is why I don't accept male guests.
I then told him I had some work to do and I went into my bedroom. I cried and cried. Once he had gone to bed I grabbed my son from his room and put him into my bed and shoved a shoe under my bedroom door to try and wedge it locked.
I have contacted Airbnb and they have forwarded it to safety and I am waiting to hear back.
Have I done the right thing? He still has 5 nights of his stay. What would other do in this situation?
Thanks everyone.
Caitlin
