My experience for the most part has been positive, a bit of a learning curve but nothing catastrophic. Most common mistakes are assumption, and not realizing you are a 'franchisee' of sorts. Airbnb is a platform/brand that acts as a conduit to sell hospitality—subject to its own discretion. A host is responsible for educating themself on how it works, absorbing the risk and loss, having their own back, keeping up with changes to the ToS, rules, policies, etc.
- Not doing your homework
- Not having commonsense
- Thinking it will be a breeze
- Relying on Airbnb to sort problems: Have your own plan of action worked out
- Assuming common courtesy, respect and responsibilty are the norm: Write rules assuming they are not
- Assuming guests read the description, amenities and rules: Remind them
- Assuming your culture is the rule of thumb globally: It is not
- Assuming everyone sees the world as you do: They do not
- Suffering a bad guest because you are scared of kick-back, petty reviews or Airbnb penalizing you: Don't. Address infractions as they happen in a neutral fashion. Most guests are willing to oblige. If they are not, stick to your rules and limits, and if need be ask them to leave or have them removed.
- Getting upset because you receive an unwarranted bad review: It happens to the best of hosts
- Getting upset when Airbnb reprimands you: If you're doing your best, ignore it, you can only do your best
- Assuming you will get a fair hearing in event of a dispute: Not guaranteed
- Feeling obliged to accept guests you are uncomfortable with: It's your call and your consequence
- Assuming the million dollar insurance package will cover damage: Read it. Do your own risk analysis and make sure you have your own back
- Assuming the security deposit is a security deposit: It is not, in the commonly understood definition
- Assuming discounts, give-away pricing and bending over backwards has its reward: More often it encourages bad behavior rather than gratitude and respect