Missing key and possible violation of no smoking policy

[Julie6183]

Hi everyone my name is Julie and I have been hosting for approximately 3 months. I airbnb a guest suite attached to my home. On the whole things have gone really smoothly and I find the majority of guests are really respectful. Just a couple of things I would love to hear other people's thoughts on. We have a lockbox and there was also an additional key located in the property in on the other door. Recently we let the place out whilst we were on holiday (for the first time, with some trepidation). I had family and friends taking care of the place and doing the cleaning. One guest towards the end of our holiday, contacted me to say there was no spare key in the door inside. I contacted family and the friend who was cleaning - they had not seen it. All guests denied seeing it. However, I know it was there when we departed. Because it is a key to part of our home - I wonder if I should be concerned or just put it down to someone losing it or mislaying it and not telling me. It is difficult to contact people a week or so after the event... if I had been there, I would have noticed immediately as I always do an inventory check - so this was an oversight on my part in not making it clear to my cleaner to double check the second key (the cleaner is a close friend and I trust them implicitly). Should I change the locks or just accept it is part and parcel of holiday lets?                                                               

My second query is a potential violation of our no smoking policy. I make it clear on the Airbnb site and in a manual that we leave at the property that it is strictly no smoking inside. I allow guests to smoke or vape in the little outdoor area directly outside the property. So far the majority of people have respected it - however, I have suspicions that one couple may have violated it - we found the smoke alarm had been tampered with and they had the windows open almost continuously during their stay - we also found smoking paraphernalia down the back of the sofa. Unfortunately I cannot be certain as my husband did the initial check out and clean and he suffers with anosmia (meaning he has no sense of smell). In the end I chose not to write a review or say anything as I could not be certain and therefore I didn't want to make an accusation - however, I was frustrated as it is part of our home and there are many reasons that I do not want people smoking in there - not least that it is not pleasant for other guests. Does anyone have any tips on this please?                                                  

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Julie6183 

Locks

Since you don't know where the key is, this definitely is a safety concern for you and any future guests. Guests will lose keys and you can never be sure they haven't made a copy of them. Suggest you invest in smart locks as soon as possible. The Schlage Encode or the Yale Assure are the ones many Hosts use. You can monitor activity from your phone wherever you are (even on vacation), add and delete codes and even open the door remotely from your phone.

Smoking

I would add wording to your House Rules about a $150 addl cleaning fee if evidence of smoking inside the property (be sure to take photo evidence and keep receipts for any extra cleaning). Also add If the smoke alarm is tampered with or disconnected, there is a $150 fine and your reservation may be cancelled with no refund.

Do not let on to the guest if you are preparing to claim for extra cleaning, lost keys, or damages until either they write a review, or you write your honest review right before the 14 day cutoff. I would write your review. 

[Julie6183]

Hi  @Joan2709  thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my query. You have provided lots of helpful information. Much appreciated.

[Marie8425]

@Julie6183 

I have seen a lot of post about cigarette smoking monitors working  As a smoker a screeching alarm  would definitely be discouraging,

[Joan2709]

@Julie6183 

@Marie8425 makes a good point, the Minut noise monitor can detect cigarette smoke and is different than a fire smoke detector. I understand they are relatively inexpensive. Many Hosts use them. Airbnb requires you to disclose noise monitors, but the smoke detector part of the monitor doesn't necessarily need to be disclosed. The Minut detector sends alerts to your phone and even detects when it has been tampered with (removed from it's mounting plate).

Minut Cigarette Smoke Detector

https://youtu.be/cMrREizfvBI?si=qFLkfPjEhKL7wWvF