Potential guest and my listing are from the same city

[Marc140]

Over the course of several months of hosting I've declined guests that are from the same city. Usually, they are booking within the same week of the reservation request. 

I travel a lot for work, so 1) I like plenty of notice to prepare the loft. Usually, I don't meet the guest and leave instructions.  2) For guests who live in their host city is a red flag for me.  3) these type of requests almost never have any reviews and have opened an account in the same month.

Am I looking at this all wrong?  I usually accept weekenders, out of town people.  must have at least 1 review. 

I usually don't accept same city or last minute reservations, (mainly because i don't have enough lead time to prepare the place. 

Should I be giving these people a chance? or is this a trend that is suspicious?

Are their screening questions I could ask?

Thanks!

[Robin4]

@Marc140....Hey Marc you are doing exactly the right thing! Can't tell you the number of posts we have had from hosts who have been 'stung' by letting to locals! It, more often than not is the 'celebration' for some event or other with a plethora of followers, or the boss out for a naughty weekend with a co-worker! 

People up to no good don't want to travel far to do it!!

If I have a booking request from a local I want to sight a **bleep** good reason why they wanted to come to my cottage and I warn them I have strict limitations on visitors my property.

Keep it up Marc, you are definitely on the right track!!

Cheers.....Rob

[Marc140]

Robin, thanks for the feedback!

[Linda100]

As they say...  Just say no.  I've been doing this for over a year and any time I've rented to a local person I've regretted it.  They give you all kinds of stories as to why they need to stay at your place (which is 10 minutes from their own place) but basically they just want to take advantage of your place (i.e. use for sex encounters, parties, use for the amenities you might have (hot tubs, bbqs, etc) instead of their own for a variety of reasons.  I guarantee that it'll cost you more in overused utlities by these guests than you'll earn by letting them in.  They aren't there to sightsee so they usually camp out at your place 24/7 continually running all heat, A/C, water, etc.  My policy at this point is no local people - ever.  No matter the excuse or how they pull on your heart strings.   The further your guests travel to get to you the better the guests they are in general.   Good luck.