Doing a review or not

[Barbara3304]

Had a guest book a 29-day stay 4 days before check-in. We have a strict cancellation policy. After her insta book, she read further through the house rules and arrival guide and found that we do not accept pets. She messaged and said that she had a cat. We agreed to accept the cat. Then she says she wants to move her dates out 2 weeks and change her stay. Still maintaining a 29-day stay and this was still all done two days before check-in. So I submitted her a proposal to change the dates. She never accepted the proposal I gave her to the end of the first day of her check-in. I communicated with her constantly through the app and copied her in text because she was not communicating back. She indicated in our first conversation that she was going to be doing some real estate classes so that was why I decided to communicate through text as well. So we went almost 2 weeks without hearing from her and then about 10 days before her stay was over. She said she would come and chech-in, then never showed up after saying that she would. So therefore we got paid for 29-day stay and never having a guest. But now of course we're being asked to submit a review. 

She was a terrible communicator I kept telling her she must use the app. but to no avail. We know nothing else except she doesn't keep her word.

Please advise 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Barbara3304 

What a strange scenario and somewhat frustrating but with a good outcome if you got paid and with no request for a refund!

The guest will also get the same message to leave you a review and if I were in the same boat, I would wait until the last minute of that 14 day period to see if the guest leaves you a review and then see how I feel about the situation a bit further down the line. 

According to Airbnb's review policy, a review has to be relevant to be valid and authentic so whilst you can definitely say that the guest was an awful communicator, you won't be able to grade her on House rules or cleanliness.  In the same way, the guest won't be able to review your place on all the criteria either and should they leave you a review, you may be able to use the "relevancy" clause to have it removed. 

You don't know if you are going to be left a retaliatory review which have become extremely difficult to remove so as a host myself, I would lie low and hope that the guest doesn't review you as they must be aware that you were quite frustrated with their lack of communication.  So personally, I wouldn't shake that can of worms for fear of what I might unleash.  Other hosts may have a totally different opinion of course..

Do let us know how this situation pans out and what you decide though

All the best
Joëlle

[Joan2709]

@Barbara3304 

I never suggest my Host clients use Instant Book if they will be accepting long term stays...too risky. 

Here is a Guide to Long Term Stays that outlines all the issues with accepting long-term stays on Airbnb. It also outlines some common scams:

Monthly Stays on Airbnb

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-guides/Monthly-Stays-on-Airbnb-Guide-Revised/m-p/2066547#M2...