Guests without reviews

[Catherine2511]

I think it is time for Airbnb to step up when it comes to guests without reviews. Airbnb needs to send immediate messages to guests reminding them to respond to host inquiries in order to secure the booking. As soon as a request comes in I respond with questions. Especially when the potential guest doesn’t have reviews. So this happened to me today. Someone without reviews wanted a same day booking because they had to leave where they were. She put 1 adult into the request. I asked immediately how many were in the group but she never responded. Yet I get several messages from airbnb telling me to respond. I messaged the guest a few times asking for information. The never provided any information and in fact withdrew the request since I wasn’t budging. I think this guests was flexing to break rules and size limits on my condominium. I think airbnb should be messaging guests when they put in a request reminding them to answer all questions so the host can accept a reservation with confidence. I also think they should remind guests without reviews to add all adults to the reservation. This builds a sense of community with hosts. Time for airbnb to give hosts more support. 

[Pat271]

@Catherine2511 

I have a pretty hard-and-fast rule that if a guest does not respond to my questions, they don’t get booked. I insist on establishing some sort of back-and-forth communications with my guests. Especially at first - later, I don’t badger them.

After 12 hours of no response, I send a message to the guest saying that their booking request has expired, because the required information was not provided, and to please rebook with the requested information. I also ask them to turn their notifications on, if not already set. Works every time, and the guest is usually quite contrite when they finally rebook.

One thing some hosts don’t realize is that guests don’t get notified of our messages if they have notifications turned off. As with many apps today, people are asked at install time if they want to receive notifications. In this world of constant notifications, many people automatically say no, not realizing that they really *need* to have notifications turned on if they plan to use Airbnb.

As far as Airbnb reminding the guest to respond to messages, I agree with you that at the time of a booking request, Airbnb could send a message reminding the guest to watch their Airbnb chat area, and to make sure notifications are turned on. That would prevent me from having to do it. 🙂

Looking over your post, if the guest withdrew their request because you “weren’t budging”, this isn’t the type of guest you want to host anyway.

[Catherine2511]

I absolutely agree! I would rather they withdrawl than me need to evict. I want airbnb to step up and make guests responsible for responding to hosts. I find their system to support guests more than hosts. 

[Fred13]

You been at this for 4 years, so I am sure you have detected the pattern before; get an inquiry and the person in all likelihood is still 'shopping' around and dragging their feet, which probably means they are not really sure yet, which speaks volumes. I think 'the world' of Airbnb 😎, but to me the less they are involved, the better; salesmanship is not their strong suit.

[Catherine2511]

I am not talking about an inquiry. This is a request to book. Airbnb needs to step it up and remind guests that they need to respond to the host. I have seen a lot. Fortunately I am next to my rentals and have seen the issues firsthand. I only had to remove a guest with police escort once. 

[Patrick-and-Kathy1]

Or a message from Airbnb to the host informing them the guest placed another booking.

[Patrick-and-Kathy1 · Accepted solution]

Airbnb should request refundable deposits for people with no reviews.

[Catherine2511]

That is actually a good idea, but Airbnb has told me that guest will not pay for damages unless they approve them so these deposits, are they really real?

[Enri1804]

I completely agree and just wrote feedback to Airbnb about something similar. I added a discount this morning. Guest just Requested to book, for Fourth of July week, for 2 people (discounted rated) in my home up to 8 people if booked/paid for. Guest profile says started in 2021 but no reviews or Any other info, just first name. Airbnb says ID verified. I have 24 hours to accept or decline, so I ask my questions to him and wait. Meanwhile July 4 now looks booked (may be missing real guests). This guy may not even respond but Airbnb essentially books him and messages me again 30 minutes later to remind me to accept or decline. Ugh. He has to respond. 

[Catherine2511]

I keep sending repeat messages, reminding them to respond in order for me to except the reservation. That seems to move people along. Since it blocks your calendar, I have also reached out to Airbnb, but they aren’t much help. The whole process needs to change. Airbnb needs to immediately send them a message, reminding them to respond to any host inquiries.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Catherine2511 Just move to Instant Book. That way you don't need to reject guests unless, after they book, their communication (or lack thereof) give you a cause for concern.

[Catherine2511]

I will never use instant book. There is no vetting system and I am extremely careful with my guests. I even had airbnb support recommended to have instant book turned off due to where we live. We live in a resort town and get teenagers that try to book our listings. I made errors when I first started hosting and required police assistance to evict an out of control party. 

[Irma271]

For guests with no reviews, I message them to read all the house rules and to agree to them before I accept their request.  This way, they cannot claim ignorance if they break a rule.  I'm hoping that will help any case I have to file for a guest not adhering to the rules.  

Please chime in if this policy has helped anyone else with damage claims, or maximum occupancy violations, etc.

[Catherine2511]

Sorry, that doesn't  help.  Airbnb told me they cannot charge a guest unless the guest agrees to the charge.  So they tore my screen door off, guest only agreed to pay for half the bill.  Airbnb's aircover took care of the rest.  I really don't want Airbnb paying for damages, I want the guest held responsible.  They really should be holding deposits especially for those without any reviews.