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!

[Tim198]

I have an electronic keypad on my front door. I have the guest choose a four to six number pass code they can easily remember, then I program that into the keypad before they arrive. I usually do it the night before but, you can program it anytime, or even just have a code you can send them once they arrive. In your case, the latter may work best for you. The ectronic keypad was the best investment I have ever made and you can find them for under $50.

[Kenneth12]

We're using Lockstate-- anyone please chime in if they have better!

It intergrates (clunkily,  very clunkily) with AirBnB,  syncs over WiFi,  and generates a random 4-digit code for each new reservation (which I change to 5-digit and more memorable than random).  I keep a few emergency backup codes.  

You can find the Lockstate devices for $150-200.  

Plus video.  You need video.   Another discussion,  but you have to be able to see what's going on.

[Tim198]

Interesting, I could have used that while out of town a month ago. Does the lock need to be set up on a DMZ through the router, or does it have some type of app that connects directly to the device like I have seen with some devices?

[Kenneth12]

Essentially the latter.  You auth it to a Wifi point,  it manages to sync through the connection.  Finding the documentation is difficult.  Once you know how to do it, it's manageable.  If you change things and have to reconnect,  it's annoying not frictionless.  But yes,  if you're out of town or across town, it's a great convenience.

And it can send you a notification on every entry,  lock,  unlock,  or extended unlock, including name associated with the action. Remote unlock or lock.  Again not smooth,  but workable.

I've used the web interface not the app,  because the app seemed unworkable / buggy.  They may have updated the app with recent updates to the web interface.    It's not Ring's smoothness,  but the pricepoint is lower,  and the overall functionality much higher if you can get beyond the poor implementation.

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

@Roberta150 Sorry to hear your story i would advice you to never give any guests information where you will put the keys until the day of their arrival. You can say for example for security reasons i will let you know the exact location of the keys on the day of your arrival. Concerning the profile photo you can upload a nice picture of you carrying a shotgun on your shoulder that who make things much more easy. Good luck!!!

[Sharion0]

@Oomesh-Kumarsingh0@Roberta150 Or she could post a pic of her in her police uniform:) That should take cre of any problem guests

[Alison30]

My only  "Early Show" before posted check-in caught me completely off guard, as I was still finishing up prepping the house when the guests came through the door.  I politely let them know that they were 2 hours early and asked them to please come back at the agreed upon time.  It was akward, but they were very nice and apologized.  I think most guests get why check in is late afternoon, but some just dont realize what's involved in prepping.    I made an agreement with myself then to always make contact with my guests by telephone a few days before arrival.  It gives me a chance to review the itinerary and reservation dates with them, get an handle on their expectations of my place (my wooded yard is not very kid friendly for instance) and to go over check-in, check-out times, and address any other issues, like the speed limit on our gravel road . For me, it is really important to make that call.  It also gives me my first opportunity to welcome them, and so far it seems my guests really appreciate it.  I firmly believe that by making  a friendly personal first contact, my guests are more inclined to take better care of the place too.  In 2017 every renter has left my place in exquisitely good shape.  I have had a few requests ahead of time for early check-in, which in some cases (especially graduation weekends because they are gruelling) I am happy to accomodate.  No surprises since I started this protocol.  

[Fiona107]

thanks for that I appreciate the info never thought of that. 

[Lu28]

Hi my names Lu I am a little be concerned about one guest they came late and also my washroom was clean but he confronted it is duty and after that he ask me for money back I give the money to him but I not sure if is the right think to do I not familiar used Airbnb what I need to do to report this also I took pictures from my washroom to prove it is clean what can I do do you know ? Please if you can help I appreciate 

[Banu1]

I thought i would add to this.  I had someone book two nights aug 5 and 6. Today Aug 3 i guest a text saying they arriving tonight.  I had originally posted the whole house for rent and was unable to accomodate after the booking was made so agreed to let them have two rooms.  Only one room has been booked and i noticed booked for one person not two.  The second room will have to be booked online but again they are now arriving two days early and i already have a guest staying.  This would mean moving my current guest to another room to accomodate to couples.  Any advice??

[Sharion0]

@Banu1 Hmmm...I think if I was the original guest ( who is already in their room) and was asked to move into another room, I wouldn't be happy:). If I were in this position, I would tell the guests that are trying to check in early, sorry, I don't have your rooms available. Contact Airbnb and see if they can find you a room for two nights and I'll see you on the 5th:) 

[Linda108]

I absolutely agree with that you should not accomodate the early guests, @Banu1.  Make sure all communication is on the Air BNB messaging system so the Air BNB staff can see it.  Good luck!!

[Dana86]

Wow. That could have been very scary for you. I'm glad everything turned out okay.

You know what I do? I don't have a lock box, but I make sure that I'm here or someone else's to let them in. Heck, I don't even give them good directions or identifying anything into my house until the day before. That way, if they cancel, they really don't have a lot of information from my home. I too, am a single woman

[Patricia1320]

I have a question if somebody can help me. I need to provide gate code number to be able to enter  to the condominium and code number for the smart  door lock in the apartment . I don’t want people knows to much in advance this code to prevent burglary  . I noticed some of my guest have all thisinfortmwtion to Agra’s of time on their arrival . How I could prevent this to happens ?? I want to provide all this infortmstion at their arrival 

[Eve123]

Thank you for sharing. As a new host, it is really good to know about these kinds of schemes from dishonest people.