Covert bookings

[Duncan118]

Hi all, 

I need a little advice and guidance please. 

We are hard working hosts and have just achieved Super Host status for the 4th time in a row. We very proud of ourselves and to date, all of our reviews have been 5 star but I think it’s all going to go wrong because of dishonest and covert bookings. 

It states quite clearly on our house rules that we do not accept pets and we are not suitable for children or infants. 

I had a confirmed booking in December 2020 from a lady who later confirmed she would be bringing a dog (not a service dog) I explained our house rules but she refused to cancel so I had no choice but to do so. That’s problem number 1.

Problem number 2 is this, I’ve had a couple of reservation requests for our 2 rooms stating children would be coming. I’ve reminded them of our house rules and the requests have been withdrawn. Both for the same dates and within a couple of hours of each other. I then receive a confirmed booking for the same dates an hour or so later for 2 people for 2 rooms (1 person in each room) and they want to call me to confirm sleeping arrangements. 

I’m a little suspicious that the rooms have been booked via another party for the people that have the children. 

As it’s a confirmed booking where do we stand if they show up with children? Or if the booking guest admits children will be coming can I cancel and not be penalised by Airbnb? I don’t want to lose my super host status because of dishonest guests exploiting loopholes in Airbnb’s booking system. 

can anyone help? 

all the best 

a concerned host

Duncan and Annabelle. 

[Inna22]

@Duncan118 Going forward put some language in your listing that will potentially protect you on a verity of scenarios. For example, no unregistered guests allowed. This means only those who book can be there even if visiting. This would make kids of any age not accounted for at booking unregistered guests. Also, third party bookings are not allowed on Airbnb. Meaning only those who booked can stay. Someone else can not book it on behalf of this other person with kids. 

Lastly, Airbnb algorithm is fairly primitive. If somebody’s communicating with you about a set of dates, those dates are often promote it on the site. The algorithm thinks that your place is a great match for somebody looking for those dates. I have had  a completely open month and two people fighting over the same teo random days within that month

[Duncan118]

@Inna22 Thank you for your feedback. Again, excellent advise. It seems such a shame that we have to write these sorts of things on our listings but unfortunately some people don’t feel that their under hand actions are a problem and it’s OK to buck the system. 
I shall revisit my listing description and add these caveats. 
Thank you again for the advise it is much appreciated. 
regards

Duncan 

[Duncan118]

One last question to all you kind people that have replied so far, do you have “instant book” on or off? 
im thinking OFF is the way forward? 

best regards 

Duncan