Guests booking to use home for sex workers

[Brenda313]

I was unaware of this until today. After having to call the police to have guests removed, I googled and learned that sex workers are now renting airbnb spaces to work instead of hotels. 

I had my guests removed for violating my House Rules... smoking, using drugs in my house, and having unapproved guests over. 

However, it didn't take long to learn and realize the reason they booked. 

Since prostitution is illegal in my state, should I now include that in my House Rules? 

I do not discriminate against sex workers, but I cannot allow that activity in my home, where I live as well, .... I rent a room, not the whole house.  

I do not feel I am safe if people I haven't approved are in my home. 

Airbnb did not support me as a host, i am a superhost w 5 star rating.  Airbnb told me I had to reimburse the remaining days or I would have my rating dropped for cancellation.   

How is this ok?

I know this guest is going to give me poor reviews, and I am going to take the hit and warn other potential hosts w an honest review... this just isn't ok.

[Kat84]

Dear hosts, you will be surprised how creative people can be when it comes to sex, money and drugs.

After several complaints to police don't be surprised if you are the one who is "organizer" or "manager" of illegal activities.

Seeking help from Airbnb... How? They will ask for police report to prove. I don't know how police works in your country, but when I experienced such situation police said that "report is confidential and if Airbnb needs report than they have to contact us".

I suggest, Brenda, put a warning in the listing and House rules. The guests will be forced to read the house rules BEFORE they book.

It might not work with drug users, because their actions are beyond of any control and logic. But with sex workers it might work. Who will want to take a risk, seeing that the host is very serious and informed about such activities.

It is also something good for good clients as well. If I am the guest, I will be happy to stay at the place, that doesn't entertain sex workers. At least I will be sure that I am sleeping on bedsheets without sperm on it.

[Lisa2138]

I have been suspecting the same thing.  It’s happened maybe 3 or 4 times.  Last night included.  Now, I can’t prove this and nothing bad happened.. I’m finding there are certain characteristics when these people stay.  They’re very young, the do not sleep under the sheets.  They arrive much later than an average guest.  They are very tidy.  Not even using toilet paper?!?.  All request to use the pool late at night, which I decline as I have pool hours and quiet time stated in the house rules.  I can’t complain as they are all very tidy and respectful… I cannot allow illegal activities on my property.  We live there too!

[Sudsrung0]

I think it goes on more than you realise I guess all you can do is control it

[Cathie19]

Hi @Brenda313, @Sudsrung0 , @Kat84  @Robin4  @Pete69.

You may not be able to always control illegal or “commercial” activities on your property, but stringent house rules and documented messages, that state the behaviour or activity is not allowed, may also assist you in a court of law. 

[Haydee6]

I agree. I think that instant booking may be tricky. I understand that the rationale of instant booking is to avoid discrimination, but also it may leave room for dangerous people who created a false profile. In the past, I was able to block a host because the conversation became awkward. I wonder how safe is to accept people who are not verified. Maybe Airbnb should reinforce the safety policies to keep our units safe.

[Brenda313]

I completely agree. 

I saw today that this guest has already deleted his account. 

[Scott-and-Mary-Ellen0]

@Haydee6 @Brenda Don't kid yourself--a verified profile doesn't mean any background check has been done, and if you can't see the full name until they've booked, you can't check yourself. We had a new to Airbnb person book for our mountain condo and once I had her full name and location, I looked her up to see arrests for Class 5 drug offenses. I was really sweating it, but she was an OK guest (with her boyfriend). But if someone was a sex offender or arrested for child pornography, I would have to cancel and take the hit. Thinking of adding to our listings to discourage felons: "Any evidence of illegal activity will be reported to police." But then, might potential guests think we're in a bad crime area? Tricky.    M.E. 

[Robin4]

@Brenda313 

Hey Brenda, perhaps you should just put in your House Rules.....

"Prostitution Welcome" ....I am no different from your regular venue, I require 60% of the take!

That should scare them off!  :-))

And the bonus is, you won't be accused of discrimination!!

Cheers.....Rob

[Alice1248]

Only if you mean that you allow and support sex workers. If not then you’re an **bleep**

[Sabrina537]

Did you have to cancel the reservation on your side and reimburse the guests the fee that they paid.  I also tried to have guests removed and Air BNB did not support me or provide me with adequate documentation to show the police.  

[Stephanie]

Hi @Brenda313 ,

So sorry to hear you have been put through this horrible experience. I've reached out to the CS team internally and they are very concerned. Could you please contact them regarding this issue at your earliest convinience? You can do so here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/contact_us

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Becky236]

I just had a guest come show up with a kid and so called

wife .... they checked out my hot tub and left saying yes this will work  ..... after that he showed up the next day with completely different men . They looked around yard and said yep this will work . Then my security cameras (we’ll disclosed on listing ) showed 6 naked men and a women. Partying all night in my family home ... naked , drinking and smoking (all of house rules broken) and fake id. I contacted Airbnb and have had 0 response for over a week now! I’m **bleep** sick of Airbnb guests disregard for rules and I’m not running a brothel ! 

[Stephanie]

Hi there @Becky236 ,

Sorry to hear about this unpleasant experience. Have you been able to reach the CS team since this post? 

Thanks

[Tina664]

@Becky236 How did that go?
I have a couple who checked in my family home today, they are renting our guest house. They broke house rules, smoked weed, and had sex in the pool knowing that we have surveillance cameras outdoors and around the pool area. We even have an 8 minute snippet video to prove it but we don't want to put anyone's dirty laundry out like that. My 6 years old baby was home while all that happened and our entire house smelled like weed since the guest house is attached and we share a common AC.

[Angela2024]

Hopefully SESTA will help hold Airbnb and VRBO more accountable....it's their platform that they can be held (and should be) criminally accountable for the content. I think pursuing this angle is the only way to get them to stand behind their hosts and support them with better tools and better guest vetting. It can't be up to each individual host, to do criminal background checks or put other safety measures in place. Sadly litigation is probably the only thing that will make them change their ways. 

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20170804/00584337922/how-congress-attempt-to-break-cda230-could-ki...