Cleanliness :)

Cleanliness :)

Hey all 

 

I was hoping someone could share an experience, or a suggestion to mitigate a guest reporting a cleanliness issue caused by another guest in a shared house. We had a new guest cancel a reservation on arrival because of mess caused by a guest between the time when the host (myself) cleaned the house, and when the new guest check-in. Of course there is no golden-bullet per say in shared housing (we've all be there) but I would love to hear from other hosts experiences. What can I do.

 

Thank you!!!

3 Replies 3
Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Michael6333  For starters, I looked at your listings and they are very incomplete on information. That is going to present a lot of problems for you. 

 

Reading your listing, I have no idea who I would be sharing with. Do you, the host, live there? Are guests sharing solely with other guests or with other guests and the hosts? Who would I be sharing a bathroom with? What are the expectations re guests keeping common areas clean? What other expectations re quiet hours, not making exvessive noise ( loud music, loud phone conversations, etc.) are there?

 

It is very important that you make all this clear. And you need to describe the private room the guest is booking, and the common areas they have access to, not just list the rooms in the house. 

 

If you are renting to more than one unrelated guest at a time, it is your responsibility as the host to make sure common areas are clean when a new guest checks in and to keep them clean. And to be clear with guests about your expectations for them respectfully cleaning up after themselves in common areas.

 

You don't say whether the resident guest managed to make a mess in one hour after you cleaned, or whether you had cleaned the previous day, or 3 days previous. But guests who don't show respect for other residents in a shared home should be read the riot act- either they shape up, or their booking will have to be cut short. 

 

You should have some wording in your listing to effect of "As this is a shared home, guests are expected to be respectful of others by cleaning up after themselves in common areas, not being noisy, and so on. If common courtesy is ignored, bookings may be terminated."

Hi Sarah,

 

You are right. Looking through my listing I have assumed this information was clear, it is not. I will absolutely implement your suggestions. I cant thank you enough for your input. 

Emiel1
Level 10
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

@Michael6333 

 

You did not mention how much time there was between the cleaning and the mess appearing.

And what was the mess ? Must be severe if the new guest decide to cancel the reservation.

 

I always communicate to the other guests when a new guest is arriving and about scheduled (extra) cleaning of shared spaces.