Denied Rentals from AirBNB

[Michelle2414]

So this is interesting. I just had an 8-person family DENIED by Airbnb to rent my place. My listing accepts up to 10 people but apparently, Airbnb flagged them as a "potential party" and even after I sent him a pre-approval for his rental, and we BOTH contacted support they still denied the rental. What is interesting is they are offering him a hotel or private room. 

Has anyone else seen this? Makes me think that 1. anyone with a larger group is being denied which is why my rentals are WAY down from the past years and 2. Airbnb has some type of ownership or revenue stream in these so called hotels and private rooms they are pushing these guests to. 😡

[Lorina14]

Hi @Michelle2414,

That is concerning that your listing can accommodate up to 10 people and airbnb is denying the reservation for no good reason after you and the guest proactively contacted them to let them know it was not a party event. 

I find it suspicious that they are directing your guests to book a hotel. If you the host have vetted your guests and are comfortable with the stay then it should be your call.

I’ll ask the community host managers if they can send your concern to the right team for resolution.  @Bhumika @Paula @Rebecca is there anything you could do to help out Michelle? Why is Airbnb denying a reservation that the host has vetted and approved?

[Michelle2414]

This is the response I got from AirBnb. This guest needed a same day check in because he said they had a pipe break in their house. I approved the rental, I reached out to support, the guest reached out to support and they still refused to allow the rental. 

Hi Michelle,

They are receiving party prevention restrictions which doesn't allow them to book an entire homes when a pattern of factors (like location or reservation time - like same day booking or booking less than 14 days before check in). Unfortunately, as this is an algorithm on our system, we have no way to undo the restriction in place. As our community's safety is our utmost priority, we have restrictions that were put in effect, and these were based on our data that we have gathered." 

[Lorina14]

@Michelle2414 

Airbnb is big against same day bookings for large parties. However if you vetted them, then why wouldn’t they approve it? Perhaps the liability is too high. However the problem is you cannot predict a pipe break, or if a tree branch broke through the roof of someone’s house. 

It is unfortunate that they didn’t allow you to book and perhaps may be negatively impacting your bookings. 

[Zheng49]

With Aircover airbnb is also acting like an insurance company in this case. So I understand they have decided the risks are too high in this case.

They could also allow them to book, but decline to provide aircover in this case. 

[Rebecca]

Thanks for the tag @Lorina14. 

Hey @Michelle2414, I'm really sorry to hear of your situation and did reach out to Support to make them aware. If you could get in touch with the Support Team and raise a case with them regarding this - they will investigate it further with you. 😊

[Helen3]

It wasn't flagged because it was a large group it was flagged because it was a large group wanting a last minute booking probably from guests with no previous reviews that live locally @Michelle2414 

airbnb suggest hotels or shared homes in these circumstances because those bookings wouldn't be flagged its party policy 

I'm glad Airbnb put its anti party policy in place after guests in the US and Canada were murdered and injured while using Airbnb party houses . But appreciate some decent guests can be flagged under the policy . 

There are other STR platforms you could use that don't have these policies in place if you want to accept bookings airbnb sees as risky .

many hosts are seeing bookings fall as markets become oversaturated and bookings fall due to the cost of living crisis - what sort of market research have you done around supply and demand in your location for your type of property @Michelle2414 

[Juan5497]

We were denied and we are 4 adults for "potential party". I am a teacher, my bf is 26, his best friend is 25 and his gf is 30 years old. I have only rented one time and was given a 5 star. I was asked for the names of my guests, and I am wondering if it has anything to do with any past history that they may have had that I am not aware of.  I explained that we were in the area for a conference and yet I was denied. 

[Juan5497]

This is actually Juan's girlfriend, who posted on his account by accident. My account is separate then his and I was denied as a "potential Party".