Guest had to be evicted today. Local police were very helpful. Airbnb was not.

[Joan2055]

I am a brand new host. I've been at this about a month but I'm getting bookings and good reviews. On my way to superhost status I hope! After five perfect bookings, I got my first bad one. Guest lied about why she was coming and where she was from. She had a brand new account and no reviews so that was a red flag (but I understand everyone has to get their first review). Long story short: she and two guests hung blankets over all the windows and were clearly using illicit drugs. Neighbors called with concerns about their behavior. My husband and I intervened and ultimately decided to ask them to leave after consulting our local police department, which were super professional and helpful. Airbnb staff were of absolutely no help. I made multiple phone calls and, despite promising they were escalating my call and someone would call me back, they never did. Once evicted, I learned the guest stole several items from my home. The police intervened and the guest returned some but not all of the items over two days. All in all, we think we got out easy. The guests were messy and dirty and stained some items and moved furniture around and stole items, but did not trash the house. And because of good neighbors, we intervened early and got them out before -- we think -- they were planning to cook meth. My point is -- you have to trust your instincts and take matters into your own hands. My husband and I did enough research during the ordeal to learn the cell phone the guest used was registered in a false name (we searched for, found, and spoke to the person whose name the phone was in and there was no association). We researched the guest on our statewide Casenet (registry of legal action) and found a history of drug offenses. Moving forward, I will be requiring a car tag number and driver's license number of the guest who books.

Any other tips or advice?

[Scott1144]

Agreed that we all put our rental houses at risk, just about every time we blindly book. 

It is spring break, being such, I have blatantly asked people if their intent was to throw a party. I have also tactfully explained that my house is nice. I remodeled the entire place myself, I clean it and manage it myself and I am a little overprotective, maybe. 

I’ve found that if the stay is legit; holiday, business, etc. people usually have no problem describing themselves and their situation. A couple of times people have not responded to this type of inquiry. I have to assume, that they’re intent was not in my houses best interest. 

I would rather take the chance of offending a potential guest, than having someone trash one of my places. 

Again if the questioning is done in a truthful  and tactful manner, there is no real reason for a guest to be offended. 

Just my 2 cents. 

[Paul154]

You want advice from us?

YOU found helpful and professional police to help you!

@Joan2055 , WE should be getting advice from YOU.

Joan, you don't say where you are from. It is obviously not in Seattle, where our police only support squatters. And for this abuse, the City taxes airbnb transactions 20%!

Anyway...

You handled this situation well. Your neighbors alerted you and you followed through by getting rid of these guest. Keep up the good work.

[Joan2055]

Thank you! It was nerve-wracking but, all in all, not horrible. We learned A LOT, including deepening our trust in our instincts and ability to take matters in hand. By the way, we live in rural Missouri. Small town police forces have their challenges, but they were a good resource for us.