Why not making proper identification mandatory for guests?

[Robert1872]

The quality of requests is declining rapidly. The requests of pure crooks is on the rise.

Why the heck is it not mandatory for Airbnb-guests to identify properly and why can't just fake accounts be terminated as soon as anything irregular happens (e.g. different people showing up, than booked the place)?

Hosts will leave you, Airbnb, if you don't pay a lot more effort in supporting your hosts needs! Read your forums! You are about to loose your community/business partners!

[Emiel1]

@Robert1872 

I only accept guests with ID verified. Every host should move to such policy !

I had a lot of benefit from Airbnb, so i still support them, waiting for better times.

[Jennifer1351]

I agree. I have it as a requirement in my house rules, but some people just overlook that. It's another step and a little annoying to ask guests to get their ID verified on the site. I wish Airbnb would just require it. Why wouldn't they make it a general requirement to increase safety? I wonder why they haven't.

[Emilia42]

@Jennifer1351 @Robert1872 

Do you have this box checked?

https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/requirements

[Jennifer1351]

@Emilia42 Yes, I have it checked in the box ( I think it's the one you have there) and I also put it in my house rules. I still get booking requests from people who aren't verified, and I don't like having to take the extra step to ask them to do that. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I guess they still allow people to request who aren't verified and then it's up to me. I think there was another discussion about this where hosts were wondering why they were getting requests from unverified people when you checked that box.

[Emilia42]

@Jennifer1351 Hmm, ever since I checked that box over a year ago I haven't had to chase a guest to verify their ID. But I also don't get a lot of requests.

[Robert1872]

First I thought I checked it already, but using your link I realized, that I didn't. But I also could see why: 

I just couldn't figure out where to find this setting, except through your link.

So, thanks for the tipp, which may save me further wasted time to deal with crooks.

[Huma0]

@Robert1872 

A word of warning. Sometimes Airbnb do 'updates' to the system and suddenly all your settings vanish.

This happened to me. I know I had ticked all the possible boxes I could for IB requirements, including Govt ID, previous recommendations from hosts etc. 

However, at some point, I realised that guests no longer seemed to be getting my booking message, so I went and checked the settings. Low and behold, the boxes had reverted to unchecked and the booking message had vanished. 

[Emilia42]

@Robert1872 This is a hidden box that can only be found by searching through the help section. It is not in your listing settings and it is tied to a host, not specific listings. Why Airbnb makes it so complicated to find, I don't know. I found it by accident one day by reading up on requiring verifications here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/272/can-i-require-guests-to-be-verified-before-booking

[Rossana121]

OMG, I can't thank you enough for this link, @Emilia42  !

I couldn't for the love of me find this option, the only thing I could see was that you can only choose this kind of verification if you enable IB.

[Robbi1]

It seems like blackmail. I cannot check this box (requiring guests to go through identity verification) unless I subscribe to Instant booking. I also do not have access to star ratings of guests unless I subscribe to instant booking.

[Emilia42]

@Robbi1 Are you sure? This box (found at https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/requirements) is not related to the "Guest must have a Government ID" requirement that only instant booking hosts have the option to do. 

[Robbi1]

This link works perfectly . . . thank you. I have attempted numerous times to manage my requirements  and have been refused as I do not subscribe to Instant book. You say they are not related though they are for the same end result. Again, thanks.

[Liam1556]

airbnb told me off for doing so! Told me that if guests refuse to give me ID then that is on me, not them!

[Debra300]

@Jennifer1351,

I also have the government ID option checked for my listings, but I understand why Airbnb hasn't made it a requirement for everyone who signs up.  There are many people, especially in developing countries, who do not have access to a government ID card, driver's license or passport.  For example, in St. Lucia a person may have to wait a few months before the actual card is available, and since these items are not mailed out, then need to make arrangements to pick it up, because they do not have cars and may live in remote areas.  

In my pre-booking message, I invite potential guests who do not meet my reservation requirements to contact me.  I will vet them through our communication exchange, and decide whether to approve or decline their reservation request or inquiry.