I leave my lock box empty on blocked off nights for safety concerns

[Roberta150]

Thought I would post how I handled an unpleasant situation that just happened in case it helps other hosts handle something similar. A self-described student booked my place with three others for two nights, June 1-2. Today is May 30th, a night I blocked off to take a break and recover from a cold and May 31st is booked by another three guests. The June 1-2 guests just arrived at my doorstep at 12 noon (check-in time is 4 pm) and opened the key lock box attempting to enter my home - luckily when I block off nights I remove the keys for my safety.

I was in my bedroom due to being sick and looked out the window into the backyard to see one of the guys walking around my home looking for and trying doors and windows to enter. Scary. So I got dressed, opened another window by the front door and spoke to them (NOT opening the door.) They told me they booked for tonight - I checked my listing on my computer and suddenly it's "Oh, we made a mistake and booked the wrong days!" while trying to get me to open the door.

I told them to cancel their June 1-2 booking since it is wrong and wished them luck finding a place to stay, and told them I am booked for tonight and tomorrow. They did cancel. In my opinion, they did not make a mistake but booked to get the key access information and planned on entering my home and not paying. I am so thankful that I removed the keys from the lockbox for the blocked days.

And a few days ago I had a booking from someone in California saying they were moving across country and was there space for a moving trailer in my driveway? They then canceled without a word one hour later after having gained access to the key lock box code. I sent them an email via Airbnb telling them "Oh, I am sorry you had to cancel. I have blocked off that night and there will not be keys in the lock box. I hope you have a great trip." It was my way of letting them know they would not be able to get into my home after not paying. It may not have been a case of booking to get the key code information then canceling with plans on getting in and cleaning out all my furniture and valuables into their trailer, but I do think it was the case. 

My point is to be sure never to let anyone in who A) arrives before check-in (if they are even the correct guests who actually booked), and B) "Booked the wrong days " or whatever excuse but are NOT booked for the night. I have decided from now on to also only put the keys in the lock box just before 4 pm to prevent early entry or unbooked people entering. Luckily my training as a former police officer for LAPD came in handy in dealing with these people. I will also soon be changing my profile photo to one with a man standing next to me since some may mistakingly think I as a woman alone would be an easy target or push-over. I will also be changing the code to the key lock box in a few days just to be safe, after the few guests already emailed with it have checked out, and will update it on the listing. It is a good idea if you have a similar self-entry system to change the code periodically.

Overall, hosting is wonderful and I love the freedom it is giving me to pursue my dreams while more than meeting my expenses. Most guests are great, and I believe most people are honest and have good intentions. Otherwise, Airbnb and other sites like it would never work. Good luck to all hosts!

[Karen-and-Will0]

I use a Schlage Sense smart lock.  I make the 4 digit access code the last 4 digits of the guest’s phone number from their Airbnb profile. Easy for them to remember yet unique and I obviously change it between guests. I set it up so they can only open the door on the days they are scheduled to be there and I delete it the day they check out either on site or remotely through my smartphone.   I don’t send them the info telling them the code is their last 4 digits until a day or 2 before check in.  Hope this info helps.

[Russell49]

Couldn't have said it any better.

Self check in is for people who are playing the game of risk with their property.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

Self check for business ready..... aha ... especially for crime business  

[Mary403]

We are fairly new to being hosts but we put in a key pad that we change with each guest.  We rent the top floor and live on the ground floor of a home built in 1888.  We have enjoyed bring hosts very much!

[Igor65]

Awful experience, I see a chance for AirBnB to make some improvements, like, letting you disclose access info when you feel is right, something like Options: Inmediately After booking / Checkin day /One hour before checkin...

[Hilary-And-Ed0]

hello @Roberta150,

You handled these situations well.  I would suggest changing the code after each guest, and I would also suggest sending them the code the day before (morning of?) check in.

Others seem to have similar thoughts.  

Good luck!

[Deborah1]

I use a code box and change the code after each guest. 

[Corrie10]

WOW thank u so much for posting this.  I NEVER occurred to me that people would do this.  Boy do I feel stupid.  

[Adam187]

Those guys were up to something.  We have a coded door, and the code is the last 4 digits of the booked person's phone number they have with their AirBnb account. We code the door once the suite is ready, and remove the code upon check-out.  And we don't say what their code is, just that it's the last 4 digits of their phone number.  They'll never forget the code, and no one else knows the code.  No issues yet.

[Russell49]

Brilliant!!! This way it tells you if it's a genuine number they have listed-haha. Brilliant idea!!!

[Tim-and-Holly0]

We ask each guest to text us 1/2 hour prior to arrival so that we can meet them at check-in for many of the reasons mentioned throughout this thread. On the rare occasion that we cannot meet the guest and give the code in person we provide the code via return text message when the guest lets us know they are 1/2 hour away.

[Kenneth12]

FWIW we're using the LockState system here,  with AirBnB intergration,  online interface is clunky but just rolled out improvements today,   codes are only valid for guests' stay period and can be quickly altered / removed.

AirBnB needs an emergency line for these situations;  I was on hold for more that 30 minutes tonight,  and gave up.

[JoAnn-and-Paul0]

Roberta, thank you for sharing your experience. I do not use self check-in and your post help me keep it that way.

Just one point I'm missing: if you are able to put the keys in the box just before 4pm, why don't you check them in yourself if you are around?

Paul

[Marguerite17]

I've noticed what appears to be a scam in that a guest requests to stay a night, then changes it to a week-- and after a night makes a wildly unfounded complaint about how " unacceptable " the location was -- requesting a full refund, yet refusing to cancel themselves through Air BnB- resulting in a free stay . 

I've talked to a few other hosts about this, and they admitted they felt pressured to refund in full for fear of a bad review. 

IN case you are wondering, I really doubt this was a legitimate complaint, as I had people stay before and after these guests, and did not have any complaints at all. 

I contacted Air bnb about this, but unfortunately, haven't had a reply to date. 

Can anyone else weigh in ? 

Thanks in advance, 

m

[Linda108]

@Marguerite17  You have jumped into a unrelated discussion thread so you might not get as much help as you need.  Just start your own conversation.  I'm sure other hosts will be helpful