Verifying Guests

[Gina12]

I worry about the Age of my guests, I have been contacted by several, what seem to be kids.  When I inquire about age, they immediately say that they have found other accomadations.  Also, the verification of the other guests, not verified through Airbnb.  I think all guests should be possibly background checked and verfied through the Airbnb set up.  I really don't want to be hosting a fugative, ex-con, or someone who would put me, or my pet in danger.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Hi Gina

You have to prove you are at least 18 to be the lead guest in the party - that is verification. Nothing more, there are no background checks, security checks, bankruptcy checks etc done by AirBnB.

No hotel background checks guests before staying, no home hosting site does either, so I think you are wishing for something that is not on offer, as it is expensive to do all of those checks.

You will have to consider if AirBnB is the best option for you, or whether a long term lodger, whom you can run and pay for a background check on would be a better option. It still doesn;t mean they are a good fit or good person however!

Good luck

[Gina12]

Thank you for that, but comparing a hotel, with security guards and emergency systems in place, to someones home, is not realistic.  I have had no problems yet, and I really don't expect any.  Was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for how they go about being safe.  

[Gina12]

I agree, you can do all the research on a person, find nothing, and that really means nothing.  I still would feel better about it.

[Ivone6]

I really thought that they would do a criminal check, at least.  I was scared before, now I  am feeling more insecure about doing this .

[Chris-And-Rachel0]

You do have to be careful. I will sometimes get requests from people with AirBNB "profiles" that are simply bizzarre looking ... like yesterday I got one from airbnb.com/users/show/69986538. If someone accepted this request they would be risking everything. This person has supposedly verified their phone number and Facebook and email but anyone can buy a phone and create a fake email and facebook account with that very email. I asked for more information and did not hear back from this person. I made the mistake of not "declining" in time and have now been penalized with a lower response rate, but have learned that, next time, to just decline and ask for more information. Apparently AirBNB doesn't penalize you for declining like they do for responding with a question and not accepting or declining.

[Peter37]

If you are worried, then I would suggest that you Decline any prospective guest who does not have: (a) a good list of positive AirBnB reviews from previous hosts; (b) a proper photograph (not a photograph of a pet or a teddy bear as some people have); (c) a significant social network on Facebook. People who are up to no good will normally have no reviews, a fake Facebook account, and an unclear photograph. If you impose any such restrictions, though, you should politely state them in your property listing (e.g. "Please note: I do not accept bookings from prospective guests who have less than three positive reviews.") As Chris and Rachel said, AirBnB will not penalise your ranking for Declining bookings but they WILL Temporarly Deactivate your listing if you Decline 15 guests in a row. Hopefully you would not get that many dubious booking requests!

I don't think being an ex-con should be an automatic rejection. They've done their time and are trying to reintegrate in society. I'd treat them the same as anyone else: if they've behaved as good guests with other hosts, then that's the best indication that they will behave themselves.

Inviting strangers into your house can never be absolutely risk-free. As Gerry & Rashid wrote, AirBnB hosting might not be most suitable renting modality if you have concerns about safety and security. But, out of the hundreds of guests I've hosted, I've had zero experiences of criminal or anti-social behaviour. The only booking requests I declined were those who wanted to make a private booking outside the AirBnB system.