Potential-guest profile info or message details?

[Tim66]

I have received several requests in the last few months from profiles that had only joined that day, or some that had joined weeks or months ago but their profile contains zero information.

Other requests are simply 'looking forward to staying'. I understand that in some cases that night be a language barrier, but not always. And AirBnB can translate.

If I'm letting someone into my home to live with me for a few days or a week or so I prefer to know more about them, their purpose for visiting, etc.

E.g. bachelor party, job interview, visit the city, St Patrick's Day, to study on the course that I teach on.... And preferably what other hosts think of them (but yes, everyone has to get a 1st review sometime).

When I am a potential guest I always introduce myself and reason for visit is i the request message. It is polite, and sometimes helps the host decide to accept me.

I cannot find a way to restrict people with empty profiles from sending booking requests.

I cannot find a way of obliging request messages that are more than a few words.

Is there a way?

[Guy991]

Hello @Tim66 ,

For very short inquiries, I often respond with a question to encourage more extensive communication. This indicates to the guest (especially to new users) that I am genuinely interested in getting to know them better. Sometimes, it leads to detailed descriptions, and I am delighted to have a deeper understanding of my guest. However, if they persist in keeping conversations to a minimum, I may decline their request. These individuals are unlikely to communicate any issues and may provide negative reviews, impacting your rating. 

[Tim66]

Thanks @Guy991 . Yes, I try that too, for the same reasons. But it would still be easier if the system had something like '20 words minimum' before a request message could be sent.

There seems to be no such setting. I think mostly these messages are new users who think that AirBnB is always hotel rooms which people simply 'book'.

Most problems I've had have been with people who did not read the listing.

But I have done the same, myself, accidentally booking a place in Spain one June with no air conditioning because I assumed everywhere has it. On closer reading of the listing, it was crossed out as not existing....so it would not be fair to complain.

[Guy991]

Hello @Tim66, 

I just want to vent, if you don't mind, that I had fallen into the same pit we talked about. A guest with no previous trips, who sent a short message, and whom I accepted, only to receive a review that destroyed my 5-star rating. This is a reminder to myself never to do this again!