Leaving a bad review for a guest

[Ann489]

Hi All,

we are pretty new to hosting.  After nine wonderful guests, we finally seem to have had our first "bad" one.  I think it is important for other hosts to know if there is a dishonest, messy guest, but I am reluctant to leave this guest a bad review because of retaliatory feedback.  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thank you!  🙂

Ann

[Alexandra316]

@Ann489 because the guest can't see your review until after they have reviewed you (or 14 days have passed if they choose not to write a review), you have nothing to fear as far as that goes. I would encourage you to write an honest review of the sake of other hosts. 

I would write a short, factual, unemotional review. Don't make any accusations that could cause the review to be removed. If all else fails, you can always use the old chestnut, "guest would be more suited to a hotel environment." 

[Ann489]

Thank you, so much Alexandra...that's very helpful!  😉

Do you happen to know if airbnb notifies a guest that a review has been left?   I noticed with our first guests that I had a notification, saying that a review was left for me. 

[Alexandra316]

@Ann489 they do, yes. Some hosts wait until the very last minute to leave their review for that very reason: so the guest doesn't get reminded and encouraged to do it. 

[Barry-and-Lera0]

@Ann489: We have not had a "bad" guest yet but we did recently write a review for a guest that was less than stellar. She was very nice and left our guesthouse in wonderful shape but she was horrible via email and the Airbnb messaging system.

We send a check-in email to every guest prior to check-in (3 days prior) with pictures of our property entrance and the door to the studio. We also ask guests to respond to receiving it. She did not. Not completely unusual. Of course she showed up and could not figure out where to park, how to get into the property, what her keycode was etc. All of this information was in the email. After showing her where everything was and how to get around the property I asked if she received the email.  She said she but did not read anything about check-in. Yeah....ok. So after her short stay (where she responsed to no messages) she of course did not leave a review. (We even sent an email 7 days into the review process to remind her to leave a review) Our review stated she was a great guest (in regard to respect of property and studio) but a poor communicator and that hosts should be aware of that.

[Carmen627]

I’m new to Airbnb and I just had my first bad experience as well so I’m lookin for guidance..  My guests basically trashed my place. No major damage. I supply linens which is rare for a shore rental..and you better believe they used every piece of linen in the house. That i can’t complain about. But all my white towels are different color. Yes, most of that will come out when i bleach them. So here’s my issue. The house was filthy. They didn’t take the garbage or cans out, bugs everywhere. Trash on counters and inside cabinets. Minor stains and stills on carpets. Tons of sand in the bathtubs, ashes inside (non smoking). You get the idea. I’m trying to keep a level head here. I feel like this particular guests story of having a great family vacation with a surprise anniversary party for parents is bogus. Maybe this comes with the territory, there’s just no way to properly weed out people who treat others properties like this. Which is why I want to leave a review. And from what I’ve read, it makes sense that the more people suggest others to be open and honest. Basically people should be exposed. I’m not gonna make it personal but I want to share my experience so others know if they rent to him/her that they know what to expect. 

How much in detail should I describe the mess?  My sample reads as follows..guests arrived and left on time, communication was great during their stay..but cleanliness was unacceptable. For that reason I wouldn’t recommend this person. 

Thanks in advance