Guest booked for grandson & friends who left a mess & damages

Answered!
Tami1
Level 5
Benton, KY

Guest booked for grandson & friends who left a mess & damages

Hello all, I am retired and have been  a superhost for 9 years.  Sadly I have had to contact superhost support more times this summer than all the other years combined!  Most recently I contacted them about my  last guest who  booked my place for 2 nights.   At check-in, 4 kids drive up,  a young man age 26 and  3 other kids, one approximately the his  same age and 2 more that were maybe 12-13 years old.  They ask if this was the airbnb and I said yes. The person who made the reservation was a grey headed guy much older.  They had no idea where to park which is plainly stated in my listing and in the check in instructions.  In fact, they seemed  to know absolutely nothing about my place other than they were planning to sleep here!   They said their grandad made this reservation for them and didn't tell them much except for the address.  At this point I phoned  the  guest who made the reservation & ask who these people were.  I insisted he  tell or text me the phone number &  name of this  grandson he'd made the reservation for as well.  He didn't  answer my call  but did text me the grandson's info.   They were smoking and threw cigarette butts in the drive-way when they parked. I verbally went over a few of the house rules with them like  NO SMOKING inside or if the door is open.   I will say that they were very polite and well mannered when speaking with me but I immediately went inside and called superhost support.  They informed me they would be canceling the reservation immediately as 3rd party bookings are not against their polices but I had to agree to it, I did.  Shortly afterwards I get a text from the granddad saying he WAS COMING but it would be later on that evening.  Superhost support calls me back with that same information plus  now they're NOT  canceling this reservation  anymore.  Okay whatever.  Long story short, some adult came and took the car these kids drove up in and left them at my place 2 nights & days  with no food or money.  They knocked on my door twice asking for food.  I gave them drinks, packs of peanut butter & crackers, granola bars, and fruit.   We use the  freezer part of the refrigerator in the space I airbnb for extra storage when ours is full.  These kid thawed and ate it all up. (In my house rules I say guests can use the top 3 shelves of the freezer and ask them to leave our things alone on the bottom 2 shelves).  They checked our 4 hours late. I almost called support back at that point but what's the use?  When I went to inspect, you can only imagine what a mess we have!  Every pot, pan, plate, cup, & glass  was piled in the sink, on the stove, on the kitchen table & on the coffee table in the living room  dirty.   Obviously the person who made  the reservation lied and never came. In addition to 2-3 days of cleaning they broke the 5 foot slide on playground gym outside and they destroyed all the games I had inside for guests.  The carpet will have to be professionally cleaned.  They broke 2 lamps, honestly I just stopped cleaning and looking after picking up 3 bags of garbage and taking care of the dishes.  Is Airbnb gonna reimbursement me for the damages since the person who made the reservation didn't stay or am I stuck here?   Also do I need to wait until the 14th day before leaving a detailed review & asking for reimbursement to avoid a retaliatory review. Sorry this was so long & thanks!  

Top Answer
Melody246
Level 2
Dublin, CA

I usually don't take bookings for others. If I really had to, which I did only once, I had the father booked for his son. I asked the father to send me a photo of his son's driver's license and phone # as well, so I can communicate directly. If the son is underage, definitely "No".  I will call Airbnb to cancel the reservation. 

 

For your situation, you can file aircover to request funding for your extra cost. As long as you have the photo to approve what they have done.  

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10 Replies 10
Bhumika
Community Manager
Community Manager
Toronto, Canada

Hi @Tami1 ,

 

How did you deal with this situation in the end and report the damages to Airbnb?

Usually, most of our Hosts recommend leaving honest reviews for other Hosts. Did you leave a detailed review for this guest?

 

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Please follow the Community Guidelines

I plan too.  I'm waiting until the  last possible day to leave a review as it's  stressing me out a bit.  I have not filed for  damages, didn't figure it'd do any good.   I have never left a "bad" review for a guest before,  but I am this time!    The last day to submit it is the 29th.  I just noticed that this guest has  2 more reviews since staying with me that basically tell the same story as my experience with them. I am surprised airbnb does not ban this guest who's obviously using airbnb only for his grandson!   

@Tami1 I just had a bad guests myself, apparently the mom booked for her daughter & niece's to celebrate birthday. She had amazing reviews & met all my requirements which lead to instant booking & the girls were under age of 21. They permanently stained my couch & pillows, broke something, stayed 2 hrs past checkout, silly string on the walls & smoked weed inside. I make my rules on my listing very clear & repeat it in my welcome book but I called airbnb CS & its completely up to you to decide what to charge. & you can leave a professional negative review too like with my case I said “guest was kind but did not respect my home & did not follow house rules & checkout instructions. Once that being said airbnb asks me why so I explain everything they did (guests cant read that after) but then I messaged the guest directly professionally as well not blaming them even though I know **bleep** well they did it & simply asked how the place was left in such a condition. She was so embarrassed when I sent pictures to her & was so compliant & sorry. I sent the claim & she paid for it. No need to wait till last day. You only have up to 30 days to make a claim. If guests don't pay the claim in time airbnb gets involved & most times reimburse you as long as you have pictures for everything. Its such a horrible feeling when someone disrespects your home.

Yes I left a detailed review, haven't filed for damage yet. 

Melody246
Level 2
Dublin, CA

I usually don't take bookings for others. If I really had to, which I did only once, I had the father booked for his son. I asked the father to send me a photo of his son's driver's license and phone # as well, so I can communicate directly. If the son is underage, definitely "No".  I will call Airbnb to cancel the reservation. 

 

For your situation, you can file aircover to request funding for your extra cost. As long as you have the photo to approve what they have done.  

Melody246
Level 2
Dublin, CA

If a guest booked for someone else without telling you, you can refuse to let them check in by calling Airbnb support. 

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Oh dear @Tami1  what a horrible experience . 

when you knew the person who booked wasn't turning up you should have called Airbnb back and insisted they cancel or better still you shouldn't have let the group check in without the person who booked being present 

 

unfortunately as you chose to accept a third party booking you may not be covered for damages and extra cleaning under the guarantee. 

Dawn241
Level 10
Sierra Vista, AZ

How many guests were supposed to show up total? 

I would not have let them in until the booking guest arrived if there really was one. Sounds like the whole thing was a ruse. 

You don’t know who you are talking to on the phone and can’t show phone conversations to Airbnb support. only communicate thru Airbnb messaging and use outdoor security cameras so you have pictures and video to send to Airbnb support.

 

file an aircover claim. 

Virl0
Level 2
Washington, DC

Tami1, in sending your review, I would also add that you “do not” recommend that ABNB guest to other Hosts, based on this experience. And, don’t forget to claim the air-cover.

@Tami1  - that sounds like a nightmare!   I noticed early on that people would try to book for others.   I quickly made a rule - No 3rd party bookings.   What gets me is some people have a picture of a dogs face or something other than their own face.  I feel like Airbnb should require guests to have their own photo so we can make sure the person who booked is the one staying.   

I also try to meet every guest.   I am not tolerant to ANY BS.   If you show up with too many guests or pets, you will get your reservation canceled.   I find people who try to inch in on your goodwill will try to take a mile.