As a person who has stayed in AirBnB's for over 15 years, I ...
Latest reply
As a person who has stayed in AirBnB's for over 15 years, I would like to know when the custom of leaving information for the...
Latest reply
Hello everyone 😊
Since we don’t use instabook specifically for this reason, we get the opportunity to touch base with the prospective guest before they book. In our greeting letter we ask them to verify they have read the house rules to ensure the home will work for their stay. After they have read the rules and confirmed the home will work for them including the house policies they then contact is back with a confirmation statement and we confirm their booking. That encourages them to read everything but does not guarantee they will.
Hello @Paula
We use icons or graphics posted near door entrance to emphasize important rules, such as no smoking or quiet hours, which can catch the guest’s attention more effectively than text alone.
We meet our guests in person, so we go over the key rules during the check-in process. But If you do self-check-in, consider sending a welcome message that includes a reminder to review the house rules.
And under our listing descriptions “other things to note” we require guests to acknowledge the house rules as part of the booking process.
I noticed some guests 'broke' our house rules and soon realized that many people simply won't read the house rules before they make the reservation.
Since I still prefer guests know the house rules before booking, I now include house rules in the response to guest's inquiry and reservation request. I will approve only after they confirm the acceptance of the house rules.
Obviously, the house rules need to be short and simple. Too many rules can be ineffective.
Hello @Steve4385 ,
What do you do when the guest doesn’t reply to the message and the time to accept or decline a request is approaching the deadline?
I will let it expire.
There could be several scenarios when they were asked to confirm the acceptance of house rules:
1. They made the reservation and thought it is already booked and don't check back. In that case, when it is expired, they will come back to reserve again.
2. They don't like the rules and don't respond. In that case, I don't mind that they look for another lodging place.
3. They may ask for some exceptions, such as checking out late or hosting a visit, etc. When they make effort to communicate on their intentions, I will usually grant the exceptions.
4. They suddenly know the rules and decided to cancel the request. I think it serves the purpose of blocking someone who plan to do something that is against the house rules.
I have them include and on QR code for them to read prior to booking and check-in.
If they haven’t read them, I do kindly ask, especially if it states something specific to their booking - just to confirm. That way there are no surprises and a positive outcome on both sides!
Hi Paula,
I prefer to leave a summarized document with key dos and dont’s related to the house policy.
Joaquim
I place them into the text message and direct messaging into the portal on the day of rental. It's right in their face then. I know the mistake I made this time out was to allow 'autobooking.' That was an oversight I did not initially review and change upon creating a rental profile. It brought me two bad guest.
Hi Paula,
I believe that it is important to respond to each booking with a personal greeting (not a standard one) to establish a rapport. I then ask them to let me know first and last names of everyone who is on the reservation and that they have read and agree to the house rules.