I just evicted a group of guests from one of my homes in a quiet neighborhood. They booked for 4. I drove by this morning at 6:30 AM to find 2 cars in the driveway (the legal maximum for Vacation Rentals in my area) and 3 cars parked illegally on the grass and street. Clearly with 5 cars there are more than 4 guests. I pounded on the door and watched through the glass as two guys jumped up and starting covering things on the dining table. Yes, it was suspicous.
Over the next 45 minutes I stood in the rain with multuple calls to Airbnb, as I watch 6 guests pack up and prepare to leave after I told them they were bring evicted for violation my house rules. Several of them, who were not even authorized to be in the house, were very snotty. At one point they closed the blinds and door so I could no longer see in. Agian, suspicious.
When I entered the home to do the final push to get them out, they had brought out about 50 shoe boxes. Bizarre. When I asked what was in the shoe boxes I was told that one of the girls was moving. Of couse we all know that shoe boxes are the most efficent container to move all your stuff?? Suspicious.
They departed and I found the dining table still wet from being wiped clean. Well, except for the marijuana that they accidently wiped onto the small outer lip of the table. Oops. And then I found dog crap on the floor from the illegal dog that they didn't tell me about or pay for.
One would think that if Airbnb asks us to create rules and people violate them, that we the host would be protected, right. Nope, not at all.
So here is Airbnb response when guests............
Violated the rules my having more guests in the home than were registered. Clearly in my house rules
Had a dog that they didn't inform me would be there and didn't pay for. Clearly in my house rules.
Parked 5 cars at the property in violation of city ordiance. And damaging my grass and probably irrigation system
And having illegal drugs in the house. Clearly in my house rules.
So sounds like they should be evicted and I should be paid, right? Nope! Even though they broke all these rules, Airbnb is going to refund them the 2 nights they didn't stay. Seriously!! Airbnb continues to teach guests how to get away with anything and everything. They basically teach them that they can break all the rules they want, and if they don't get caught, well good for them . But don't worry, if you do get caugh, we will give you a refund so that you will have the money back to go and screw another Airbnb host.
Between this and their Extenuatioing Circumstances policy, it's just out of control. Airbnb takes back at least $20,000 from me each year with these insane and "host abusive" policies. I hope at the next VRMA national conference we can all claim that "extenuating circumstances" prvented us from stopping by the Airbnb booth.
What has to happen to make them understand that they have to start treating hosts with respect?