how to handle the push for reviews when you don't know for sure?

[Melanie251]

As you all know, Airbnb pushes hard for reviews from guests and hosts. Of course they do, becuase the entire system relies on reviews. However, the time window in which to compelte a review is extremely short. My property is in a beach town and I live an hour away. It isn't always possible for me to get there after every guest. There's traffic, gas, tolls - it simply isn't practical. however, Airbnb pushes me to leave a review immediately. Sometimes, I assume that if the cleaning crew doesn't report anything egregious, it's OK and I leave the review hoping the guest will leave one in return. Airbnb really does a good job stressing me out about these stupid reviews! Recently, I had a group in over Memorial Day weekend and everything seemed OK so I left an OK review hoping to unlock mine. When I got there to do some maintencne, I realized this group had trashed the house completely. They had broken a ceiling fan and the garbage disposal! The beds were all filthy (indicating that more than my apporved 4 people stayed there) and requiired me to wash matrass pads, pillows, duvets and quilts and even the water/bedbugproof protectors! Clearly, these disgusting boys had been sleeping on the beds without sheets.  Airbnb says I can't change my review but I think this guest should be banned. It seems to me that beacuse of the way Airbnb pushes for reviews, that reviews must be mostly lies. But what else am I supposed to do? I have been unhappy with Airbnb from the very beginning, but don't feel I can afford to quit.

[Linda108]

@Melanie251   Perhaps the problem is that you do not have a more local reliable source of information about the status at check out.  There are several problems with that situation, one of which you experienced, but also, you migh need to file a claim for damages which also has a timeline to deal with.  Would it be possible for you to have a trusted local source?  Maybe a limited co-host?

Anyway, reviews do need accurate honest feedback, but if it turns out that your review was not truly reflective of the behavior of the guest, you could use the feedback flag on the guest profile.  

[Melanie251]

I'd like to find someone who cleans but will also let me know how the house is. It's challenging though. 

[Ana1136]

@Melanie251 you don't need to leave a review for your guests in order to "unlock" yours. You will see their  review anyway after 14 days. Also although Airbnb gives us reminders to leave reviews, they are in no way obligations. You can leave reviews only when you have seen the house, you don't have to leave them for every guest if you are not comfortable. 

[Melanie251]

That's good to know. They make it sound like you won't get a review if you don't leave one for the guest.

[Ana1136]

@Melanie251 if a guest leaves a review you will get it anyway, no matter if you leave one or not. Both hosts and guests are under no obligation to leave reviews, although it would be useful if you know for sure what kind of guest someone was. 

[Lisa723]

@Melanie251 IMO a reliable local co-host whose duties include prompt post-check-out inspection is a must for remote hosts. What if a guest left the front door open, or the water running, etc.?

[Melanie251]

It's a good point, of course. How do you find a co host? How is that different from a property manager? How much do you pay someone for performing those tasks?

[Lisa723]

@Melanie251 How to find a co-host? If you know people in the area, start there. My co-host was previously a cleaner whose attention to detail and pro-activity caught my eye. You could also contact other hosts in the area for recommendations, or of course run an ad. How is the role different from a property manager? That is totally up to you and your co-host to work out. In my case, I do most of the on-line work and my co-host does all of the on-site work: managing/scheduling cleaners, inspecting the property, overseeing maintenance/repairs, responding to emergencies. How much to pay? Again, totally up to you and your co-host to work out. My co-host receives 100% of cleaning fees and 30% of rent. In addition to responsibilities mentioned above, she also cleans and maintains two hot tubs.

[Emilia42]

@Melanie251 You have 14 whole days! No need to rush it.

[Melanie251]

Thanks, that's helpful to know!

[Sarah977]

@Melanie251  Please do not write reviews for guests when you haven't even checked the state of the property. You are doing a vast disservice to other hosts. Those guests that trashed your place? Now they will be free to trash other hosts' homes because you left them a dishonest review based upon nothing.

14 days isn't an "extremely short amount of time.". 

This information, that you have 14 days to leave a review, that all reviews appear after 14 days at the latest, even if only one party has reviewed, is quite basic info and readily available in the Hosting section of the Airbnb Help on the main site. I'm going to suggest that you take some time to read through everything for hosts there, for your own advantage, as there may be other things you're not informed about, like cancellations, that could negatively affect you if you're not aware of them, far more than confusion on how reviews work.