I'm new at this. I have a beautiful walk out basement apartment that we just put on Airbnb a few weeks ago. The firsts 2 guests were awesome. Barely knew they were there. The current guest had a few 5 star reviews, but something didn't feel right. When she requested to book, she gave me a big story about needing to get her friend away from some construction noise at her house. So many things about her story did not add up. When the two ladies arrived, I was incredibly uncomfortable with letting them stay, but it was too late.
The guest she brought with her definitely looked and smelled like a smoker. When I emphasized to her that there was no smoking of any kind allowed on the property inside or out, she assured me her friend didn't smoke. That night and the next day, there were at least 3 distinct times we smelled smoke and marijuana upstairs.
I sent the renter 2 messages with no response. On the 3rd time, I went downstairs to scope it out. The guest she brought with her answered the door. Lighter and cigarettes on the coffee table. I told her again - no smoking. She denied doing it in the house but it is obvious she has. The smell down there is horrible. I've already purchased an ozone air purifier and have been investigating ways to get odor out of leather, carpets, and the air. I already know that every single thing down there will need to be cleaned and sanitized and there will also be a trip to the laundromat to wash the plush bedding and pillows.
The smoker told me that the original renter had been very sick since they got there and was throwing up all day. BTW - it's been 3 days and I have never heard my sump pump work so hard. Since they arrived that toilet has literally flushed 3 to 5+ times an hour. While I have been typing this - literally - in the time I've been typing, I have heard it go 3 times. I'm praying they don't wear it out! And then there's the water bill....
I finally had some conversation yesterday with the one who rented and she assured me the smoking would not happen again, and she also denied her friend had smoked inside. So many things haven't lined up and the story from each of them is suspect and full of inconsistencies...
I'm heartsick. They are here until Monday morning and I'm ready to give up on doing this ever again. I know I can't kick them out, but I am sick in the pit of my stomach knowing they are down there, not knowing what I will find when they do leave. They have assured me they will clean it and leave it nice when they leave, but, honestly, the smoking down there has defiled the entire apartment. I've had to put a towel along the bottom of the door at the top of the steps to keep the odor out of the main house.
I take a lot of pride in my home and have done so much work on it with my own hands. This has been incredibly stressful and disheartening to me. I'm gutted. I need that space rented, but the risk feels too high to do it to short-termers.
Are there any policies I should adopt like not renting to locals? Does that help with stuff like this? Any ideas, encouragement, support is welcome. Thank you in advance.
