Guests doing drugs ..support suspends host

Answered!
Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

Guests doing drugs ..support suspends host

Here is my story. I Have very strict rules about smoking and I had the guest exciplicitly agree to $1000 fine in case of any smoke anywhere on property. I live downstairs and I smelled weed. I went up knocked on their door and asked them to leave the apologized and said they have a 13 hour drive and asked to stay the night and they were checking out in the morning anyway...I accepted..now (after they checked out) Airbnb support texted me and said my account is suspended because the guests complained that they encountered "uncomfortable situation/threatning" I never threaten them I just have the right for my house to be drug free. The airbnb support guy says he ll call me tomorrow and that he doesnt have time today..Is it fair to suspend my account for guests breaking my rules and smoking in MY house? ...the good news is when I went to talk to them I had my phone record the whole incodent and they ADMITTED to the smoking. Wish me luck with airbnb support but I still think its unfair of them to block me and ask me to wait.. Isnt obvious a gues who broke the rules and disrespected the place is going to make false accusations and retaliate to NOT pay the fine. Why doesnt support stand by their hosts. I cant sleep because I am so stressed about this

1 Best Answer
Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

UPDATE: airbnb reinstated me and sided with me because I only put my phone in record mode to protect myself and only for the sake of recording the encounter and providing evidence for Airbnb. For me. I was by myself and there were 4 of them all stoned.. I needed to have evidence in case they used violence or anything that puts me in danger

View Best Answer in original post

11 Replies 11
Mar125
Level 10
California, United States

@Ez0 

 

truly my sincere suggestion for any host and guest. don’t confront your host or guest in safety related situations. call Airbnb and document your situation right away, and call police if guest doesn’t leave. If the guest has left, don’t bother or change locks if necessary.

 

if it’s just cleaning issues, try work with your host.

Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

You are absolutely right. Is it usually an easy process getting Airbnb to kick them out? What if they claim they never smoked? And they collect the evidence as they left. I did confrontation both times to collect evidence but I think its totally not worth it. BTW first time the guest paid the $1000  and was very regretful and apologized for disrespecting my house. I was surprised

Mar125
Level 10
California, United States

@Ez0 

 

things were done would leave clues. The smell of smoking or marijuana would linger. find a 3rd party cleaner and provide an invoice. That’s your witness. 

it works. 

don’t risk your own safety for evidences. 

Being a landlord requires a bigger picture view. don’t risk safety on smaller things. let it go. fight when it really worths. 

Helen744
Level 10
Victoria, Australia

@EzO Ezo I hate to say this but your guests will not have to pay any 'fine' that you have 'made up'. Also invading their privacy and throwing them out is not on either. You 'smelled weed' and went up and asked them to leave ?All you could ask for is an extra cleaning fee and to mention in their review that they did not follow the rules.... Good Luck . ... H

Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

But its part of the rules. Arnt rules legally binding according to Airbnb. I had them agree to the fine as a condition for the booking. Also its clearly stated that host can ask guest to leave for breaking house rules. Specially smoking I share the house and I dont feel safe to share it with those doing drugs

Jennifer1897
Level 10
Irvine, CA

@Ez0 Having them "agree" to the fine and actually paying the fine are very different things. You will likely have to request the amount through the Airbnb platform; however, the guest has the right to decline to pay. At that point the only option you have is taking them to small claims court as Airbnb's Aircover policy is more in place for damages, not rule breakages. 

 

A few issues immediately stand out to me though, which may make your quest to get these funds difficult. First, yes, you most definitely have the right to asks guest to leave if they break rules. However, when this occurs you should also immediately open a case and notify Airbnb support as their reservation will need to be terminated and the incident should be documented to further protect you.  A verbal he said she said doesn't always hold up well.  

 

Second, recording someone without their permission or knowledge is not going to work in your favor. It will likely support their claim of being in an uncomfortable situation. Again, the best way to handle an Airbnb issue is calmly notify the guest of the issue, verbalize your intentions/expectations, and contact Airbnb support to assist and document the issue.

 

I once had a similar situation to you where a young couple smoked weed in their room. I immediately contacted Airbnb and disclosed the issue and had a case opened. I then approached the guest, let them know what the violation was and informed them the reservation was being cancelled as a result of this. I know all guests are not going to be pleasant with situations like these but do your best to stay calm and stick to your policy. 

 

Heidi803
Level 3
West Sacramento, CA

Jennifer 

I had the same issue. I noticed the smell and asked the guests if they had been smoking in the house.

when they said no I asked them to check the house in case of “dead skunks” once they agreed and I entered you could see evidence of weed.

I asked them to leave due to failure to follow house rules, asked them how long they would need to pack up (30 minutes actually 10 minutes).

called AB&B and escorted them out.

stay calm and ask for a reasonable amount of time to vacate.

Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

Agreed. But I did contact Airbnb immediatly and told them that I had my phone recording to collect evidence and protect myself since I did not feel safe asking them to leave. Also one way recording without consent is legal in colorado for evidence. Additionally I just realized that they admitted to having teenagers who also admitted in recording to using marjuana on ny property which is a Felony in Colorado for ANYONE to provide weed to those under 21 so technically they were engaged illegal activities on MY property which gives me all the right to protect myself and collect evidence of a suspected crime...no?

Jennifer1897
Level 10
Irvine, CA

I am not located in Colorado, so I am not privy to the laws, you may very well be right about the legality of it.  However, when listing your home on the Airbnb Platform you are agreeing to rules set forth by the company in regard to hosting. http://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3061 stipulates rules in regard to recording devices.

 

I am just trying to let you know that it could become an issue if you are recoding guest without their knowledge. It sounds like you did ask them to leave, and they apologized and asked for the reservation to remain which you agreed on. Again, collecting funds from guests after their departure is difficult even if they said they would pay because there is no recourse to doing so. 

 

Sounds like the guest tried to be one step ahead by reporting the exchange after the realization that they broke house rules and were being asked to pay a fine. It's good that you reported the incident to Airbnb.  Regardless I completely agree they broke your rules, and if they are breaking not only rules, but a law, you have the right to contact local authorities to assist in them being removed. You have great reviews from previous bookings, so hopefully Airbnb can re-instate your account given the situation. 

Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

UPDATE: airbnb reinstated me and sided with me because I only put my phone in record mode to protect myself and only for the sake of recording the encounter and providing evidence for Airbnb. For me. I was by myself and there were 4 of them all stoned.. I needed to have evidence in case they used violence or anything that puts me in danger

Ez0
Level 2
Fairborn, OH

Again. This only for reinstatament the fine still pending and I agree much more difficult please continue to provide suggestions on how to deal with this next time..because I guarantee you there will be a next time