Homeless guests

Antoinette228
Level 2
Castle Rock, CO

Homeless guests

So, I'm having my first experience with a dishonest guest. This is a head's up and to see if it's a common. He booked at the last minute for himself and his "girlfriend" soon to be "fiance". He has 4 great ratings and verified. When he arrives without his girlfriend and tells me he "likes to get his own place when he visits her, " I should have known something was wrong at this point because he booked the place for the 2. Once he's in, I hear him yelling on the phone for over 3 hours, then he leaves and brings a much older and most definitely a homeless looking woman to the house. He started yelling again for the next 5 hours until about midnight (quiet hours are from 11pm to 7am. I finally realized I probably should do a background check on this "verified" 5 star rated individual and found he's been arrested about 6 times for offenses ranging from indecent exposure to drug use. He's supposed to check out tomorrow. I'm up all night now, hoping I don't get robbed. I don't want to find a way to remove lice, bedbugs or touch something with fentanyl on it tomorrow morning, assuming they check out. Any advice?

4 Replies 4
Ursula403
Level 1
Rosman, NC

Once he’s gone give an honest review. Sometimes it seems worse in the middle of things and then when someone who worries you leaves, you find everything is in good order.  I mean the shouting could be he’s heard of hearing. (Best scenario) But do review honestly or the stars mean nothing.  I also have security between my main home and the guest house. I think that’s a must for your peace of mind going forward. We know so little about these people coming into our homes.  Best wishes!

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Hi @Antoinette228 

 

I'm sorry you're having this challenging experience . 

 

As a homeshare host I vet all my guests carefully and look out for red flags ....

 

For example I don't accept last minute bookings. If people live locally I would query why they want to stay and it would need to be a legitimate reason for me to consider their stay ie work being done on their house. 

when he first started yelling on the phone I would have contacted him and reminded him this is a shared home and his behaviour wasn't acceptable. 

if he then started yelling again in person to his GF I would have asked Airbnb to cancel 

 

(hopefully you've contacted the guest on Airbnb about his behaviour so there's a record and told him if it happens again you will ask Airbnb to cancel and he and his guest will need to leave immediately) 

 

do not deal with him by yourself in person . Keep communication on Airbnnb.

 

not something that's happened to me in ten years of hosting and hundreds of guests - but I vet all my guests and wouldn't accept this type of booking.

Thanks Helen,

I have come to the same conclusion. This situation had all the red flags I see clearly now. Yes, I kept it all on Airbnb. I've been reading about the fallout from bad reviews, so I just haven't done it yet and they haven't either. I was under the impression the validation process from airbnb had some type of vetting element. Now I know, it's up to me. Thanks for your help!

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Please leave an honest review of this guest to help warn other hosts considering him.  @Antoinette228 

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