Ongoing Dirty Guest

[Priscilla150]

There are two bedrooms in an apartment-type set up.  They have a private entrance, a shared bathroom across the hall and a common area that is where each has a storage cupboard for food and miscellaneous items.  A shared microwave, Keurig coffee maker, toaster refrigerator, dishes, silverware, glasses, a container for dirty dishes and another for garbage, etc....  

Several times a day I enter the common area to remove any garbage and dirty dishes.  Two days ago the common are stunk so badly that I had to open the door to air it out.  Today there is still a smell and my other guest is complaining, although they know I am doing all I can.   The bathroom sink, toilet and floor around the toilet is left so filthy that I won't begin to describe it.

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Due to the Covid 19, my House Manual currently states:

"On all stays a month long, we "were" offering a 35% discount. We are "NOW" offering a replacement discount of 45%.  During this Covid 19 time, we are asking all guests to please change their own sheets. These discounts are our way of compensating you for changing your sheets and if needed, cleaning your own room. 

We will provide clean bedding and bath towels and continue to wash your sheets, towels and dishes. We hope these additional discount are acceptable for this inconvenience."

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Today as I went into the common area to empty the garbage and do my regular cleaning, the newest guest left his bedroom door open while in the shower.   Below is what I saw.  I have taken pictures so I can discuss this with him.  I get the impression this young man is from a privileged home, not from what is said, but by his attitude and actions.  From what he has said, his parents have had him move out so that he might experience what living on his own would be like.

It appears as if my newest guest does not understand what cleaning your own room means.

Suggestions on how one handles the possibility of having your carpet and bedspread ruined?  As you know, there are some odors that will not come out.

Extra BedPicture of extra bed and floorBed slept in and surrounding areaFloor space at end of slept in bed

[Priscilla150]

Most of these ideas have already been implemented.  I do have shoe racks and laundry bags n the rooms.  Towel hangers in the bathroom.  The laundry bag in the common area is for the guests to put their dirty linen and towels in and I am the only one that handles that laundry bag for safety issues.  You can be assured I wash my hands for more then 20 seconds. Once I have washed, I think, I need to do this again and so I do it 2 or 3 again.  

I do want to use some of ideas to post signs in the common areas and guest rooms, plus more in my Airbnb House Rules.   

I have spoken with him and mentioned Covid 19 and the need to keep things clean so we can all stay healthy.  But we are dealing with a 19 year old male.  As the old saying goes: "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink?  I do not know how to force him to stay clean, short off having him leave because he is not falling what was already posted in the house rules.  I have mentioned that if he didn't want to clean his room, I would do that for him, but he would lose the discount.  He didn't want to lose the discount and was going to clean it.  I believe I will ask to see his room again when I have the opportunity.  There is no way I want to bring Covid 19 into my home or any other critters for that matter.

Thank you again.

[Sarah977]

@Priscilla150   "There is no way I want to bring Covid 19 into my home or any other critters for that matter."

If you are hosting a shared-home, with guests coming and going, then your home is wide open to COVID infection, no matter how many times a day you wash your hands or for how long. Unless your guests are all wearing masks when out AND when at home, and social distancing, and also washing their hands like you do, as they are sharing kitchen and bathroom, I don't see how you wouldn't understand that. The highest transmission rates of COVID are between people living in the same household and people with no symptoms can be superspreaders. It has little to do with your guest not making his bed or leaving pizza boxes around- that's not how COVID is spread. (altho I'm sorry you're dealing with such a slob)

[Sharon1014]

@Priscilla150 @Cathie19   You know what?  I just wouldn't be bothered with the details.  Just tell him straight up that your other guest who is tidy and clean is considering leaving, that you can't afford to lose the business, and that he has 24 hours to clean up or move out.  The more you molly-coddle this kid, the worse it's going to get.  He won't read house rules, let alone abide by them.  You can be polite, but just make it clear he cannot stay unless he gets his act together immediately.  

You are running a business, and not responsible for his lack of personal hygiene and cleanliness.  Don't let it become your problem.  My 2c.  Let us know how it goes.

[Priscilla150]

Sharon, I love your 2c.  

Thank you.

[Cathie19]

Hi @Priscilla150 . May I say that I agree with @Sharon1014  that I do like her 2c: just cut to the chase and tell the guest how it has to be.  Your  house, your rules.

But I don’t agree that the other guest should be mentioned as part of the reason. IMO, it’s a definite breach of their privacy and totally weakens your position as “the boss”.

State that you have upgraded your Airbnb Covid19 safety management plan, (which needs to be constantly reviewed) and “this happens” from today. If the guest is unwilling or unable to comply, then they will need to leave. Contacting Airbnb that they are placing you and your other guest at risk.

@Sarah977 is absolutely correct in stating that “in house dwellers” is where community transmission for Covid19  is showing up as being of a high risk.  After all, these are not family members boarding for free, but a commercial transaction.

Sorry, but the devil must be in the details....

As Airbnb hosts, if legally needed, can we show a risk assessment? Even if it’s only a page of bullet points to reduce risk. Does it include cleaning, laundry, food preparation, storage and cleaning, or additional items (shoe racks, towel rails, laundry bags in private rooms, PPE ( you and guests) spatial use of common rooms, hygiene signage) to how best we can operate and mitigate risk? Write something, date it and sign it. Take a screen shot and save it. If you feel inclined you can send it to your guests via the Airbnb message board if you like as part of your Covid19 updates. Otherwise mention the updated and improved changes are available for them to sight in the “choose a room” Also include a guest’s responsibilities. This can be done in a very friendly manner and doesn’t have to be officious. (If you want to be extra pedantic, make a copy for each guest and get them to sign off on agreeing with it, including the date.)

In an Australian court of law, having the information only in your head, even if actioned by you, is a failure to mitigate the risks. No paper document = “it did not take place” and your duty of care is questioned.

You wash your hands a lot, but that doesn’t stop an irresponsible guest choosing to not!  Do you have some small Covid19 hand washing signage? (Being “19” is a poor excuse and not fair to other responsible 19 year old males.) 

Please continue doing what you do to protect yourself and your guest/s to avoid any illness or legal fallout. Get some of the new details in your listing and communicated, so that you can prepare for the future guests, and your own safety. 

I bet you will have future guests happy to book, “knowing upfront” the actions you are taking and maintaining, to keep everyone safe. Take care Priscilla and all the best. 🙂 💐

[Priscilla150]

WOW, thank you so much.  I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting me in this situation.  Sadly, his room is still not cleaned and he continues to push the house rules.  He may not be here much longer.  I am going to post very clear Covid 19 Safety Rules in the Common Area along with the other house rules.   AND I will get them on Airbnb as soon as I can.

Thank you ALL again.

[Priscilla150]

I wonder, as house owners, do we have the right to ask our guests to show us their room to ensure cleanliness?  Again today he left the door to his room open while he took a shower and it is just as messy and really smells, even though I have spoken to him. 

If we can as to see their rooms, how often are we allowed to do that?

Does anyone know?

Thanks.

[Sarah977]

@Priscilla150  Airbnb guests are supposed to be adults. So treating them like children, i.e. "inspecting" their room, doesn't seem right to me, even if they aren't behaving like responsible adults. What some hosts do who rent rooms in their home is to state in your listing that you go in to do a quick clean and change linen once a week. You then arrange a time with the guest to do this. This gives you an opportunity to see how the guest is living in there, and if it's a disaster, keep it at bay, without it coming across as snooping or "checking up" on them. If you find you have guests who are clean and tidy, then you can always ask them if they'd prefer to keep the room clean themselves, therefore giving them privacy in their space.

But this guy sounds like someone whose booking you should cut short- he obviously doesn't care, or doesn't understand, and hasn't made any effort even when asked. 

[Priscilla150]

Thank you.  I agree.