Guests expecting 5-Star Hotel service

[Anais-Bijoux0]

Hello all,

I host my home and have put 'NO smoking' all over my Airbnb site, but I continue to receive bookings from smokers who smoke in my home. Do they think I am stupid and can't smell it on them and in my home? Well no I'm not and yes I can. I have ongoing health issues that don't need irritating. Obviously some parents forgot to teach their little prince and princesses some life skills and that rules are there for a reason. I have now put this on my site, I don't know if it will make things worse or better, but it may help some of you out there:

Basic life skills: Must leave ALL areas used clean after use & before leaving. I do not have 5 star hotel service only a dishwasher. So, if you drop it...pick it up. If you open it...close it. If you dirty it...clean it. If you empty it...fill it up. If you sleep in it...make it. If you spill it...vacuum/mop it up. If it leaks...wipe it up. If you turn it on...turn it off. If you mess it up...tidy it up. If you move it...put it back. If there's a plug...use it. If you unlock it...lock it. If you lose it...find it. If you want to go out...bus/Uber it. If you don't know something...ask. If you break it...pay for it. But, DO NOT waste water washing dishes because...I have a dishwasher.

Any other ideas welcome. How can I stop them smoking in my home?

Cheers

@ Anais.Bijoux0

[Francesco1366]

@Anais-Bijoux0 ,

If you did not, I suggest to write that guests cannot smoke for your personal health issues, maybe will be more sensitive.

Unfortunately there will always be someone disrespectful. There are specific cigarette smoke detectors used by some hotels. But maybe also a classic smoke detectors (I think not enough for cigarette) would be ok as a deterrent. If you write in your ad or you inform guests that you use these tools, could be useful to better enforce your rule.

[Helen3 · Accepted solution]

Why don't you put it in your house rules that there will be an XXX fine for anyone smoking at the property and message this to them when they book and ask them to acknowledge this @Anais-Bijoux0 

[Anais-Bijoux0]

Do you know someone who has done this? Does it actually work?

[Anonymous]

@Anais-Bijoux0  Allowing smoking in a nonsmoking room is not a "hotel service." But unlike Airbnb hosts, hotels can easily apply extra charges for damage.

It's rather uncommon for in-home hosts to have this particular issue, compared to Entire Home hosts. I honestly don't think a lecture about "basic life skills" is the solution here - bad guests will ignore it, and good ones will find it patronizing and book elsewhere. If you're having persistent problems with disrespectful guests, you'll probably have better results by adjusting your booking parameters. You can use your calendar settings to filter out last-minute stays and 1-night bookings, so you get more thoughtful guests who are more invested in a peaceful stay. And if you leave Instant Book off, the pre-booking communication is your best predictor of how respectful guests will be in the home.

You might also find that updating your photos has an overall better effect than changing the listing text. Higher-quality and well-lit images in sharper focus would make a better first impression to discerning guests and help you attract overall better ones. It's like, no matter how brilliant your CV is, it still matters whether you show up to the interview in a presentable outfit or a dirty t-shirt.

[Anais-Bijoux0]

I don't allow smoking in non-smoking rooms, it is not part of the service I give to guests in MY home or rooms to provide/allow an area for smokers. My photos are well lit, very clear and good. My house may be full and very homely, but it is clean, not dirty or smelly, aside from when an inconsiderate guest decides to smoke and/or leave cigarette butts (in the bin) in my house and pergola area. Yesterday I ended up with a blood nose due to the smoke smell and carcinogen residue left in the air. I am allergic to smoke that's why I put "No smoking" in my write-up descriptions. Guests should be respectful of this.

[Anais-Bijoux0]

Note: In Western Australia the majority of hotels, restaurants, pubs, schools, hospitals, bars, cafes, and many other public places are now 'smoke free zones' where smoking is not allowed.

Many people are now very aware that passive smoke from smokers is just as dangerous as smoking a cigarette, so they don't like it, appreciate being around it or the bad smell anymore.

[Francesco1366]

@Anais-Bijoux0 

You certainly have our full understanding for your situation and we are very sorry. I am sure that also with the advice you will find here you will be able to better enforce this important rule. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@Anais-Bijoux0  I don't intend to draw a straight line between your smoking issue and your photographs, as they are totally separate matters. But the kind of people who would even consider lighting a cigarette in a shared home without permission - even if you don't have a stated rule - are not people who have any intention of respecting you or your home. You asked for advice about how to control the behaviors of horrible people, and I honestly don't think you can. So my suggestion here is that instead, you calibrate your listing and your guest communication so that you don't keep getting horrible people as guests. But for the sake of your livelihood, you'll need good guests to come in their place. And you'll be much more successful with that if you can recognize where there's room for improvement.

Here's an example of a photo directly from the listing that you just linked yourself, which you insist is "well lit, very clear and good."

Take another look at it. If you were a guest, would you honestly think this photo represents a nice place to stay run by a host who knows what she's doing? 

Once again, I do not think the photos are the main issue here by any means, but it might help to adjust the attitude a bit and recognize that there's a lot you can be doing better for your own benefit.

[Francesco1366]

@Anonymous I don't think it's necessarily easier for hotels to apply extra costs for damage. It all depends on our habits and what we ask for. Obviously we do not have the same habits as hotels: for example we are not very capable of solving the problems by ourselves and we tend to always seek too much help from Airbnb that can do little.

It depends on local laws. Generally most of us can ask for a security deposit and deduct damages from it. We can also ask for a credit card number as a guarantee. These and other security demands must be clear before booking and indicate in the lease.

There are certainly differences based on the local laws and damage: for example I don't think in Italy you can ask for the payment of a fine for smoking at home (but probably even in an hotel, in court you would lose) except in the case that the fine corresponds to the additional cost actually paid.

Obviously, we can talk endlessly about the difficulties of proving the damage and the possibility that guests disagree to pay: however these things apply equally to the hotels and what matters most are the rules we choose to defend ourselves, communication and luck.

[Anonymous]

@Francesco1366  It's very well established that you can talk endlessly.

[Francesco1366]

@Anonymous 🤣

Why do you always have to bully people who don't completely agree with you? You more, however, please check in the main page how many comments you have written. Endless and from many years!

Enjoy thumbs-up 😉

[Elena87]

@Anais-Bijoux0 

How about detectors, as showcased by @Robin4  recently

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/How-can-we-prove-smoke-smell-to-Airbnb-for-a-claim/m-p/1...

[Lorna170]

I have fined guests in the past for smoking and the fine is listed in my rental agreement and house rules.  However, the best deterrent in my opinion is what a host in California did.  One of his listing pictures is a pack of cigarettes and an ashtray with the universal NO symbol pasted over it.  Because while most guests will check out your pictures when booking, most guests don’t read.  @Anais-Bijoux0 

[Anonymous]

@Lorna170 @Helen3  Hosts can always state that there's a penalty/fine for this and that in hopes that it works as a deterrent. But if the deterrence is not successful, Airbnb usually doesn't enforce a fine on your behalf.