against my better judgement I took a one night booking (as Airbnb have been pushing these.
Red Flag #1. Guest lived locally no info in message on booking.
Red Flag # 2 Guest booked at 1.05 am day of arrival.
Red flag # 3 Guest looked nothing like profile picture and appeared to be of different ethnicity
Red flag # 4 No luggage
Out of 15 “local bookings only three have NOT been problematic.
The guests availed themselves of all amenities, then went out to eat. They returned in the early evening. At some time during the night they slipped out (verified by Ring doorbell video after seeing their car was gone in early am.
The room was damaged in a way to obscene to mention.
When I messaged them and airbnb they ignored the message and an hour later Airbnb allowed them to cancel. Because of this I was unable to bill for extra services. (In their merry message Airbnb told me that the date had been freed up for another booking!! As it was the next day this was not feasible!)
I f I want to cancel a booking within 24 hrs PRIOR to guest arriving I have to clear it with airbnb. YET they allow a guest who has already checked in to cancel. (Not for any reason....just cancel).
It has taken 3 days to get “Trust & Safety” to enable me to make a claim.
On speaking to them they appear unconcerned that the booking was by a person other than that whose ID had been used. Nor do they see a problem with the cancellation policy.
