Getting to know your guests....

[Eileen462]

Hello Hosts....

I spent some time tonight getting to know my guest before she booked with me for 7 days.  By the end of our conversation after she booked the 7 days, she told me she would be at my house with her boyfriend and her Mom.  She told me Mom  just broke up with her man, she flew in from another state to rescue her, boyfriend works construction, Grandma is on Social Security and she has no job yet.  She said they live with AIRBNB... and they utilize it to keep a roof over their head.  None of them have a car.  I told you I was in a depressed area... what are your thoughts about what Im sharing?  Is none of this my business?  Do you see a potential squatter?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Eileen462 with good reviews and a short stay they should be fine. Always remember you only see the horror stories in Internet forums not the millions of great stays.

[Eileen462]

@Mike-And-Jane0   Thank you!!

[Helen3]

Oh you didn't mention that in your initial post - always helps to have the full picture 🙂

what legal rights might they have if they decide to squat in a homeshare situation @Eileen462 

[John5097 · Accepted solution]

@Eileen462 

"Is none of this my business?"

Not sure if I read this right, if the guest told host they indeed to bring more guest than max allowed after they booked its the host option to keep their guest max. This would also be grounds for host canceling the reservation penalty free,  to the best of my knowledge, but the guest would need to state this in the Airbnb messaging that guest intended to break house rules. That's why it's best to keep all communication on the platform.  

You have several options. 

As @Ana2038 suggested, I would try and have a policy where you have access and control of the entire place and make this clear in your house rules and communication on the platform. I would change that you, the host, can stay in a different house if guest want more privacy, or at least be more specific that it would just be for an evening. 

Maybe say something like this,

"It was so nice talking with you. Thank you for asking if your mom could stay but there is a two guest max as you booked a one bedroom in a house that I also live in. A maximum of one person is welcome to visit but If you could please review the house rules again, (post link to your house rules) as I only want each guest to find the right place for their trip.  I wish there was more flexibility and I try to acclimate guest as best I can but also have to stay in compliance with local codes and regulations. If your situation has changed and think you might need a place that accommodate more than two guest please feel free to cancel for a full refund so you can book another place."  

I would also state at bottom of message, "Guest Name, check in and check out date and time, guest count" 

Just a suggestion. This is how I approach saying no and establishing policies. 
 

I'm tolerant of small mishaps because with little stuff  they almost always leave rave review and thank me so much, as a way to try and make up for a mishap. Not ideal but sometimes mishaps happen and if they are super nice and try to make up for it, just let it go. But I would have far less tolerance for potential scammers, using the system for personal gain, or some kind of retribution. It's guest responsibility to read the listing and find the right place for them.

Each host is different though with what level of risk they are willing to take.    

Kind of tricky. I was going to say don't even worry about it but then was really surprised that guest can establish tenancy with 7 night stay, so not sure what other host do for stays 7 nights or longer. 

These were just suggestions. I may also be too proactive but guest don't seem to mind at all. 

ETA: I probably overthink things, but could add to Other Things To Note: 

"While I respect guest privacy at all times, this listing is for one bedroom in a house where I also live. For stays 7 nights or longer I may need need access to any area of the house, including guest bedroom and bathroom for repairs, maintenance, cleaning or inspection. I will fully communicate with guest and be in full compliance with Airbnb privacy policy."

 


  

[John5097]

Also when guest ask if they can bring another person for short stay, I say I wish there was more flexibility but my insurance and permit only allows two guest. I think guest should respect the basic rules and policies. I think it helps to make these rules as prominent as possible then stick to them. You may get dinged a star if guest didn't bother to read listing at all but that's out of host control and best a host can do is communicate the truth. Also if guest ask for one exception, they may keep expecting more. if they want to bring infant, then another guest, then their own fire pit, etc. So not uncommon to have to set boundaries and be nice about it. If I wasn't clear about my 2 guest max I would have lots of guest using my place for events. As mentioned mine is 30% less than other similar listings, and for that I can't accommodate guest trying to book the least expensive place for what it is then having events or extra guest. Sorry for long response but it's really tricky to accommodate guest, but some rules then really need to respect, as each listing is unique, and guest need to find the right place for them. 

[John5097]

Disclaimer. Regarding my last suggestion please see Airbnb Privacy Policy. 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3060#:~:text=be%20and%20when.-,What%20we%20don%27t%20allow,or%20...

I was thinking for shared home rental it may be worth considering posting some policy where you the host would maintain control of the house, such as maintenance, or scheduled cleaning for long term stays, to meet legal requirement, while as same time following Airbnbs Privacy Policy.   

Sometimes something slips by and I hope for the best and update listing and policy to prevent it from happening again. That's what I was getting at, but it can be very tricky to navigate every contingency and would need to verify both local laws and Airbnb policies.

I was just trying to use examples of the approach I take when communicating policies, although each host needs to verify both their local codes and Airbnb policy. 

I'm surprised some states have only a consecutive 7 night stay for guys to establish tenancy, and a lot of states have a 14 days stay over 6 months. 

I hope this turns out to be an amazing guest and experience! Most of time that how it turns out! 

[Marisa182]

@Eileen462 

I would not accept this booking, too much drama, boyfriend, mom, living on Airbnb... You can maybe suggest agencies that can help her with housing. As a single woman running an Airbnb business, I would stay away from this one, and two good reviews is not enough to make a huge difference to me. Wishing you the best!