What happens if I turn off instant book? Got a somewhat disrespectful guest.

[Jennifer1351]

Hi, I live in the lower level of the separate space I rent out. Today I have a disrespectful guest. First, she never responded to my pre-stay message - this is the first person who hasn't even acknowledged my message, which included asking for an approximate arrival time. The first guest who ignored me. Then I find out there's at least one additional person (reservation has 2 guests). Also, they are either smoking or have a very strong smoke stench on their clothes. I can smell it wafting through the floor,  and under the doors. I can't believe they would actually be smoking when I live in the house. Also I think the smoke detectors would go off. But it just smells. And I have a nice family coming after they leave. They also left lights on (not uncommon) and the TV. I don't want to have people like this in my home if I can avoid it. I will see tomorrow after they leave how bad it is. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I don't want to live with this uncomfortableness - it's not worth it.  I thought turning off IB might help me feel more comfortable with who is coming to stay. Any thoughts? 

[Jennifer1351]

Thank you @Barry-and-Lera0 for the great info

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

In fact @Barry-and-Lera0  the worst thing you can do against cigarette smoke is to turn on A/C. Cold air will make it stink even more. I am a smoker and I don't use AC not even in the peak summer for that reason.

Just old fashioned open windows.

[Barry-and-Lera0]

@Branka-and-Silvia0: I would agree in certain situations (car AC's come to mind) that running an AC is the wrong procedure. Running the AC through new MERV 10 filters really does wonders in our studio especially if they have already been smoking and cycling that air with the AC running. We even use essential oils sometimes placed by the return to help in dire situations.

When its mid summer in Florida opening the windows and doors to treat a smoke issue does nothing but bring in humidity but all means are on the table depending on the situation.   

[Jennifer1351]

Funny, she has on her profile "I pride myself on being a very tidy and polite guest". 

[Ben551]

@Jennifer1351  see now that would just make me suspicious.  Sounds like she's trying to convince herself of something...

[Rebecca181]

@Jennifer1351 To us, it is our home. To our guests, it is a place they paid for and in their minds it is theirs to enjoy as they wish during their paid stay- within the scope of our House Rules. One must be willing to accept this reality if one wants to make it as a shared home / traditional Airbnb host. Perhaps add into your House Rules that your house is not suitable for people who smoke / wear smokey clothes?

[Jennifer1351]

@Rebecca181 No smoking anywhere on the property has always absolutely been in my House Rules. I can't guarantee they read them and or follow them though. She brought extra people and that is stated in my house rules also. 

Maybe I overreacted to the smell when the guest never acknowledged my pre-visit message.

It's just nice when people get that this isn't just like a hotel. It's a situation where you're sharing your home and hopefully they understand to be respectful of that. Can still be respectful even when they are paying. Almost all of the people I've had stay have been respectful, some super respectful.

[Rebecca181]

@Jennifer1351 Smoke on clothes can really stink the place up, including and especially closets. I did write in my House Rules that I discourage smokers from staying at my place for this exact reason - Even if they don't smoke in the rental the clothes can reek of it. As you learned, it can make the entire rental smell just awful - I had to spray with pure lemon oil mist to hide it and the smell lasted about a couple of months - Went through a lot of spray at 6.00 per can but nothing else could mask the smell.

[Jennifer1351]

Also @Rebecca181 the smell can be from when they are out at bars or events with smoking. I've had that happen a couple times. I wasn't thinking about or prepared with back up items when I first realized it.  This is what happened last night with these guests. Was really strong for some reason. Extra cleaning for sure. I live in an area pretty close to our downtown, so this is going to happen. This Airbnb thing has lots of learning. 🙂

[Emilia42]

@Jennifer1351, I am 100% pro instant booking. I am just curious. If these people requested to book with you, how do you think the situation would have been different? Or are you assuming that they wouldn't have booked if they couldn't have done it 'instantly'?

[Emilia42]

@Jennifer1351,  also keep in mind that if you do away with instant booking you will loose the option of the penalty free cancelations. As well as, requiring that guests have a government issued ID and/or recommendations from other hosts and profile pictures (after booking.) You can still require these things, I suppose, but will have to chase guests around for them before they actually book. 

[Jennifer1351]

@Emilia42 I always have to ask the people to provide a govt ID when they don't have it.  And it can be awkward. Even though I have the reviews and govt ID requirement I have to ask for it. I am assuming it's not stated by Airbnb, it's just up to me to ask for it. And it's a pain.

[Jennifer1351]

@Emilia42 I think if I was communicating with her maybe she would have not ignored my pre-stay message. That bothered me. If she asked to bring extra guests, maybe I would have allowed it. But she just decided to show up with extra people, not acknowledge my message or let me know when she'd be arriving. I could be wrong. I appreciate the info and feedback, will have to think on this one.

[Emilia42]

@Jennifer1351, , a little while ago I added the requirement of a government ID. But similar to you, I was still getting all these requests to book because the guest did not have their ID verified. One of the reasons I love Instant Booking is because I don't have to drop everything I'm doing to response to a request. The instant booking confirmation comes through and I response/answer questions when I can (sometimes hours later but that’s okay because the guest is already confirmed.) I was so frustrated because I just want Airbnb to take the necessary steps to complete the verification before the guest message even gets to me. Airbnb is wasting both of our time but not fulfilling my requirements and now I’m chasing after guest for them!

I just recently found this random screen. It's different from the instant book requirements page. I clicked the box and I haven't gotten a guest request without an ID yet. I hope it works. But you may want to see if the box is checked for you.

I found it by searching 'verification' under the help tab and then following the steps.

[Jennifer1351]

Wow @Emilia42 I just found that and no mine isn't checked. That is so weird that it is so easy to check it on the booking settings, but we have to then ask for the guest to get verified (awkward,  uncomfortable to do that, for me anyway). Baffling that they don't make this known to hosts so we don't have to ask for it. Thank you!