Having trouble with a guest review that contains actual falsehoods

Sung-Ae0
Level 2
New York, NY

Having trouble with a guest review that contains actual falsehoods

I am looking for guidance on review dispute from a guest to a host.

 

We hosted a guest that was clearly looking to get out of their lease but was also intent on staying for a duration of their stay for a full refund or discounted price.  Through meticulous and timely real time work with the resolution center we were able to prove most of the guest's reports were actually false and/or resolved very quickly.    Notably they claimed they had no front door lock which I had to prove to Airbnb was not the case via a submission of video evidence, and a roach infestation that they personally denied themselves in writing, when we tried to access the listing to support in person.  The guest ended up cancelling and opened over ten cases, each of which were fully resolved in my favor as the host due to the above.

 

However, in their review the guest posted factually inaccurate information regarding my listing referencing almost all the same issues including the door issue and roach infestation which we were able to disprove in resolutions.  They also claimed the only resolution we provided was to make a rude and dismissive comment, which was definitely not the case we provided and documented two professional cleanings, an extermination, a full mattress replacement, and provided in-person support for each of their reports, including the false one.

 

Working with the team in advance of submitting the dispute for review, which is a form I am unfamiliar with; I became afraid as they mentioned the case is handled by a specialized team and is binding.  I am unsure how to proceed and I am reading many comments here that factual errors (even if they are the guests own words) may not constitute a violation of Airbnb's review policy.   In light of this situation, how can I make sure my case is accurately reviewed and what are my options for more proactive action?  The contents of the review are so inaccurate to the experience, that I am worried for my livelihood and willing to look into outside legal options at a cost.

4 Replies 4
Thembelihle1
Level 3
Cape Town, South Africa

@Sung-Ae0 
Forget about your case being accurately reviewed.
The harsh reality is that Airbnb's support system is often unhelpful, but now it has become worse. That has happened to seasoned superhosts, and the newbies alike. All the people I know who have tried pleading their reviews case with Airbnb support have been let down.
It's clear that Airbnb's priorities have shifted. They're no longer invested in supporting hosts or communities.
Now, it's about either accepting their approach or exploring alternative platforms. Don't waste your breath trying to fight this or make a case ... you'll be disappointed. It's not worth it.
Rather focus your energy in being the best host you can be here ... if they don't kick you out first, or elsewhere if they kick you out.

I am confused because actually Airbnb’s resolution center disproved the veracity of these reports in over 10 cases and made sure to confirm no hosting violation and made sure my payout was not affected.  I didn’t even communicate with the guest on the final cancellation, Airbnb did and then the guest communicated that they’d leave a review while referring to their anger on the cancellation being upheld.   I’m not sure why only the review, which is a complete log of the guests false claims are being upheld 

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Did you leave an honest review about these guests to help warn other hosts? @Thembelihle1 

 

Did you leave a response to their review addressing the false issues they mention? 

good luck with getting the review removed . 

I certainly did answer publicly.  However, I find the reply pretty hard to find in reality.  You have to expand their review to see my reply.  Moreover, I’m still a pro and gently refuted and was honest that this guest cancelled and was denied a refund by Airbnb and that issues could not be verified.  I think I was relatively vague in my review for them as a guest; I just mentioned they did not allow us to address the issues they reported.

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