"He who comes into equity must come with clean hands." Call for Improving Review System

[Cindy223]

It happened to me like the toilet was clogged/something was broken/stolen by guests, which is hard to tell who needs to be responsible. But late checkout, late checkout is totally guests' fault. The apartment is comfortable so guests don't want to leave. However it is hosts who are punished by making their places so nice, punished by 1star reviews from the late checkout guests. Hosts' accounts will be deleted if there are such retaliatory 1star reviews.

Anyone knows it is unfair.

"He who comes into equity must come with clean hands."

If a guest checks out late without permission, he is not entitled to leave a review due to his breach of contract. So hosts won't be punished by their effort. They won't fear to be friendly and to make their places nicer. This is a true and fair review system.

[Jeff158]

I like eggs but prefer to see a profile photo.

Be more assertive, 10 minutes after check out time, knock on the door with your cleaning stuff and say HI I'm just going to start in the bathroom while you pack.

[Allison116]

Is your primary issue late checkouts?  I put my late checkout policy in my house rules that guests must agree to prior to booking and also I reprint my house rules and leave it in the guests room for reference.  I specify exactly what the "overstay" charges will be for every 30 minute increment they check out late and that it will be charged against security deposit.  I read on airbnb about overstay charges and it is in the fine print rules for guests.   

[Ric11]

Thanks for this information @Allison116

Just looked at the terms and conditions, it states 

8.2.2 You agree to leave the Accommodation no later than the checkout time that the Host specifies in the Listing or such other time as mutually agreed upon between you and the Host. If you stay past the agreed upon checkout time without the Host's consent (“Overstay”), you no longer have a license to stay in the Accommodation and the Host is entitled to make you leave in a manner consistent with applicable law. In addition, you agree to pay, if requested by the Host, for each twenty-four (24) hour period (or any portion thereof) that you Overstay, an additional nightly fee of up to two (2) times the average nightly Listing Fee originally paid by you to cover the inconvenience suffered by the Host, plus all applicable Guest Fees, Taxes, and any legal expenses incurred by the Host to make you leave (collectively, "Overstay Fees"). Overstay Fees for late checkouts on the checkout date that do not impact upcoming bookings may be limited to the additional costs incurred by the Host as a result of such Overstay. Airbnb Payments will collect Overstay Fees from you pursuant to the Payment Terms. A Security Deposit, if required by a Host, may be applied to any Overstay Fees due for a Guest’s Overstay.

8.6 If you Overstay at an Accommodation, you authorize Airbnb Payments to charge any Payment Method(s) you have on file in your Airbnb Account to collect Overstay Fees payable under the Airbnb Terms. In addition, Airbnb Payments may recover any costs and expenses it incurs in collecting the Overstay Fees by charging any Payment Method(s) you have on file in your Airbnb Account.

This is really good for hosts!!! 

[Allison116]

This may or may not work for some of you, but below is what I list verbatim in my house rules.  Now if I have a guest that I really like and I have the ability to do so, I have no problem offering free late check out. But there are some times when no matter how much I like the guest they must leave on time because I thoroghly have the rooms/bathrooms/all the bedding cleaned before the next guest.  I also print out my house rules and leave them in their bedroom and send a polite message the night before checkout to thank them for their stay and remind them of the check out time to avoid overstay charges.  This is also the time I would, if I had granted them late check out, I would note it.

**11am Checkout time strictly enforced unless pre-approved by me in writing 24 hrs prior to checkout. Late checkouts will incur $20 charge per 1/2 hour (or portion thereof) charged against security deposit via Airbnb. Examples: 1-30 min - $20, 31-60 min $40, 61 - 90 min $60, etc.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Cindy223

If you rent your place long term (more than 28 days) than it is a lease and it is regulated differently. I didn't check your listing but short term stays are much better and easier for hosts. For example we have 15 days maximum stay.

if you rent short term and your guests overstay then you can call a police to escort them out bc they are trespassing. If you have another guests coming the same day then you are entitled to collect double nightly fee from your guest's security deposit. If you don't have another check in the same day then you can get only extra expences covered (like your cleaning lady has to come twice etc...)

But, the problem is 1* rating and bad review . Until recently guests who canceled booking were not be able to leave the review, unfortunatelly that is changed too and now it opens a door to blackmailing and retaliation.

Maybe you can consider changing your locks for smart locks with a code which changes after check out time. That way your guests will not be able to enter the property after check out time.

[Cindy223]

Thank you so much for your reply!

But how can I not be punished by bad reviews from those who overstay?

No matter what the host will be punished by the review system under this circumstance.

That's why we need to improve this unfair review system.

People who didn't do anything wrong should not be punished and those who did wrong should not be given a chance to do wrong again.

Please improve Airbnb review system.