How to deter sex workers/sexual rendezvous

[Eileen4]

Hi, I'm a fairly experienced host, but I'm running a new Airbnb in a small village that's equidistant between two big cities. Strangely, I'm getting inquiries that indicate the guests want the place only for an afternoon or for several hours during the day. (I get the feeling my listing's been posted somewhere that appeals to this type of client.) I'm not a prude, but I live on a street with a number of people working from home and they are very observant. I'd rather not have the hassle of them figuring out what's up. I need to do one night bookings because I also live near the connecting highway between the two cities, and travellers on longer trips often book for one night because they are driving over a number of days, not hours. Is there any way to deter this traffic in a way that won't be obvious in my listing? 

[Ross628 · Accepted solution]

Hi Eileen,

My parents had something similar. They were told by Airbnb that it having ticked 'professional photos' inferred they were comfortable having pornographic photo shoots (they simply thought they were agreeing to be in interior design magazines and the like!)

Not sure if your issue is the exactly the same, but there may also be similar settings which act as euphemisms for sex work or the porn industry... might be worth checking with Airbnb directly?

Good luck!

Ross

[Helen3]

What do you mean they had professional photos ticked @Ross628 

[Ross628]

Under your listing, in the section entitled 'House Rules' there's an option for  'Commercial photography and filming allowed' which my parent's ticked as a 'yes' (see picture below)

[Helen3]

Ah thanks - I wonder why any host would have that option ticked. @Ross628 

[Eileen4]

My listing in Montreal was used to film PSAs a couple of times, so sometimes it's just small production companies that want a homey looking place. But yes, mine's ticked, so I'll change that. 

[Eileen4]

Thanks! I did wonder if that mattered, but my first Airbnb was used for filming that was legit, so I didn't want to say no. But I've changed it now. 

[Helen3]

Glad it's easy for you to spot these inquiries from sex workers or couples looking for a very short term private space. 

Having CCTV and making it clear up front in your listing that you have it is a good deterrent @Eileen4 

[Eileen4]

They haven't been very discreet. The ones who have already been here have also been a bit loud, ouch!  Others have asked for a "day rate," which I've now mentioned in my basic listing as unavailable. (I do ask why they want it for a day, but they don't answer.)

[Helen744]

@Eileen4 Its a good idea not to take bookings from locals without a lot of scrutiny. Instant book is probably not doing you any favours either . I am sure if you are wanting the overnight travellers that they would be willing to have a conversation and tell you that they are travelling. So that may be the way to go .... H

[Eileen4]

This is our low season, so I need the business as this is an income stream that really matters (at the moment). But I hear you and know this is a solid suggestion, so thank you. 

[Darren402]

Hi @Eileen4,

I also have Good Track Record checked under Instant Book under Policies, which seems to require those with no reviews to contact me first. I can then ask a few questions in advance of accepting their booking. I think it may deter those who are looking for such activities. 

However, I did have an enquiry from someone with no reviews recently who gave a plausible reason for being in the area. I accepted his booking. Later he contacted me to tell me he only needed the room for a few hours as "his friend needed to leave early". It sounded strange, so I asked why he had only booked the room for one guest, and requested details of his "friend". His response was that it was fine as it was his girlfriend. His vagueness made me suspicious. Consequently, I contacted Airbnb support to say that I didn't want my place to be used as an ad hoc brothel. They contacted the guest quickly and gave him 24 hours to provide full details of his "friend". He didn't, so Airbnb cancelled the booking.  Which is great as it didn't affect my cancellation stats.

Darren.

P.S. After Airbnb had cancelled his booking & refunded him, he later contacted me directly to try to confirm when he would be arriving! Not only that, but my listing is for a private room in my own home. Some people really have some audacity.