Red Flag Questions

[Laura2592]

There are a lot of hosts who post about difficult situations here. I am always struck that there seem to have been indications in many cases that the guest may not have been a match, but the host missed or overlooked the red flag. I thought it might be helpful to list questions you get that make your "spidey sense" tingle.  Now not all of these mean you are about to have a bad experience, but perhaps this will help you weed out those who aren't the perfect fit for your space.

"How many people can stay here?" Red flag because that is listed in the reservation. They didn't read, or they are having a party. And if they didn't read, they didn't read your rules 🙂 Most hosts have pretty clear occupancy limits. Many guests like to stretch those.

"Do you allow pets?" Also, that is clearly listed. If you don't, you don't.

"Will you make an exception for my non-shedding very sweet and well trained dog?" Again, if you don't allow pets that is stated. The guilt trip questions about the sweetest, best behaved dog in the world don't bode well. 

"Will you make an exception for ...."(fill in the blank.) Normally if the interaction starts this way, there is a long list of exceptions you will be asked to make and you will be frustrated by the end of the stay. This type of guest is better served with a reservation that fits what they are actually looking for, rather than one which they want to modify to their ideal standards. 

"Do you offer discounts?" Bargain hunters are never a good sign. These guests will most often be those who try to get a free stay with a spurious complaint.

"Are you on-site?" Again, that is clearly stated in all listings (or should be. If its not in yours, make sure you are updating.) This is often code for "I would like to break rules and not get caught/maybe have a party."

"Can I have guests over during my stay? They aren't going to be there overnight." All hosts need to decide what level of access they want to give to strangers who are not paying to be at their property. Consider this one carefully. 

"Can you have (specialized item) available for me during my stay /can this be purchased?" If it's something basic that many people might want (like an iron) or you were planning on getting one anyway, maybe consider it. It does start the stay off a bit oddly as the guest can clearly see what your amenities are. But I once had a guest whose life was about to end if she didn't get a specific kind of garlic press. Those kinds of high maintenance "must haves" really cross the line between guest stay and "this is my house and it needs to be stocked with my favorites...like Beyonce's contract rider for what she needs in her dressing room." I have seen hosts post on here that they purchased furniture to a guest's liking. Just say no. What you have on offer is stated.

"Do you have a pool?" Uh, if we did, you would see it listed. Again super obvious they have not read the listing in any way, shape or form.

"Can I check out late?" We actually don't care about this one as we don't do back-to-back reservations. But if you do, this is another guest boundary pusher. Your space may not be a fit. 

What do you have to add, fellow hosts?

[Laura2592]

@Lisa723 THAT is why we block the 4th of July and New Years for ourselves each year. Lol.

[Shaun69]

When I began this hospitality lark I was given one piece of advise from an old gentleman who had been in the business all his life and knew more about the accomadation pitfalls than I will ever know. His advise was as follows" never ever accept a last minute booking" they will probably be trouble and often be guests who have been forced to leave other accommodation. We follow his advise and do not question it!

BE SAFE AND HAPPY SHAUN

[Laura2592]

@Shaun69 I absolutely agree. We don't accept last minute bookings, one night stays or those not approved by other hosts on Instant Book. We get "opportunity" reminders to do all three on a regular basis from ABB  😉

[Colleen253]

Oh, those opp reminders 🙄. If Airbnb says to do something, the best course of action is to do the exact opposite, lol. 

I got a ‘twofer’ this morning. “Can we have a discount AND have visitors during our stay?” Oh sure, pay less and stuff in more people…that would actually require an increased rate. That’s as if I would host you in the first place. No thank you. 

[Sarah977]

@Colleen253  "Can we have a discount AND have visitors during our stay?” 

"In an alternate universe, maybe. But not here."

[Rebecca1458]

Just had our first experience with red flag questions. A guest instant booked, and a few days before they were set to check-in started asking questions:

"What is the parking situation?"

"Is there a TV in the room?"

All questions that are answered on our listing and in the house manual. I knew this wasn't going to be a good stay immediately but what can you do by that time?

Then a day before check-in they messaged to check-in early which we mistakenly said we could accommodate but could not accommodate late check-out. We also reminded them that we needed info about their car in order to print them a visitor parking pass. Hours go by the morning they were set to check-in and no info about their car. I message them, still nothing. Then, 2 hours after their early check-in time, they message back saying they changed their mind and will park in a nearby garage. Then an hour and a half later (now way past their early check-in time) they message and said they can't find the garage and would like a parking pass. So I drop everything I'm doing (I work full-time by the way) to print them a parking pass. They then ask me if it's okay that they parking in front of a water pump. What water pump? I have no idea what they're talking about or where they've parked so they send me a photo... of their car parked next to a FIRE HYDRANT.

I tell them that *unfortunately*  they can't legally park next to a fire hydrant even with a visitor parking pass. So they decide to park in the parking garage they apparently couldn't find initially.

I just...

Also, we have quiet hours starting at 10pm since we live in a two-unit condo building and our bedroom is  above their room. They were yelling loudly way past 12am until I eventually asked them to please lower their volume. The audacity of some people...

[Kelly149]

@Rebecca1458 when I have guests who have clearly missed very important parts of my listing the response goes something like this:

"oh no!! this is terrible, the listing is supposed to talk about parking and guests (and snails and whatever else they're asking about that they should already understand from reading!!!), sometimes ABB messes with listings and makes things disappear. I'll go call CS and find out why you aren't able to see the important listing text when you look at it! I'll get right back to you!"

then wait a few minutes....

"hey, CS was super confused, we double and triple-checked and all the important info is showing as being listed there. Could you please double-check from your side and see if maybe the info is there now? For example, you should be able to see the room description (no tv) and detailed parking instructions (we need your car info in order to provide a pass). The things that I think are most helpful for planning your stay are the House Rules and the House Manual. I'm really so worried that you weren't shown those when you booked! Could you let me know if they're there now since that's what CS thinks would be right? Thanks!! Lmk what questions I can answer for you after you've read the listing! BTW, it's always easier for me to read the full listing on a real computer instead of my phone, maybe try that too. Thanks!"

There's absolutely no reason to just let a guest blithely appear at your door without having ever understood what you offer and expect. The subterfuge of the computer having a problem lets them off the hook from having not initially read, but also indicates that you expect them to a) pay attention and b) know what they can/can't have at your place.

[Rebecca1458]

We actually sent them, and send all our guests, a message with all the information about what’s included in the listing, about parking, about checking in, etc. three days before their check in date.

[Linda108]

@Kelly149   I love the inventiveness of your response that manages to let the clueless guest off the hook while lightly tapping him/her on the forehead.   I actually use a similar strategy with some clueless hosts on this forum.  Just saying...

[Kelly149]

@Linda108 great minds 🤣

many things with ABB are half what you say & half how you say it

[John5097]

I don't get a lot of these, but when they ask about dates that aren't available. The worst asked if she could change her reservation to one week and move it to dates that already had a weekend reserved, which she would have known, but thought her week long reservation would somehow bump a two day reservation. Of course I didn't go for this and take a lot of extra effort to explain the reservation policy that host have to follow. In the end she canceled anyway. 

This has been the only pattern I've noticed. Not necessary always a red flag. 

[Tam2273]

I am brand new to hosting, and being in SA it is daunting to say the least! My very first inquiry came through last night and it was a question "Hi there, we would love to book your place but is it possible you can send the address so I can get the direct location". I immediately became suspicious as the address is listed and the location pinned. It was not the resone I declined them though, I declined because it was a 2021 profile with no verification other than a phone number. Extremely dissapointed for our very first enquiry.

I currently have it listed with IB on condition of them having 3 positive reviews, verified ID, a profile pic and acknowleging the rules. 

our greatest fears is the place being trashed or squatters who wont leave. 

What advice would you give? We obviously want bookings but how much caution is too much caution?

[Sarah977]

@Tam2273  What do you mean, the address is listed? Listed where? You should never put the address on the listing ad itself. If you have it there, remove it. 

Addresses are automatically sent to guests after their booking is confirmed. Never give it out until then.

Don't be disappointed over a scammy inquiry. Lots of hosts get lots of them. And even legitimate inquiries don't necessarily go on to book. They may have sent out inquiries to 10 places, testing the waters. Even if you write them back a nice message, answering all their questions, you may never hear back from them. Don't worry that you said something that turned them off- it isn't you, it's them, they weren't serious about it to start with.

This was an Inquiry, rather than a request? Do not decline inquiries! There is no need to. You have 2 visible choices, pre-approve or decline. But your 3rd option, and what most hosts do, is tto simply messsage back, answering their questions, or asking them some, or telling them why your place isn't really suitable for tbeir needs. As long as you answer within 24 hours, you're good. If you decline, that lowers your acceptance rate and Airbnb will threaten to suspend you for too many declines.

As to how cautious is too cautious, just communicate with guests until you get the sense of whether you feel comfortable with them, or iffy. Never accept a booking you're feeling some inner warning about. 

This inquiry you got sounds like they wanted the address to either show up and and try to make a private deal, avoiding paying Airbnb fees, or there's always the possibility that they are scoping places out for burgleries. Tell guests who inquire about the exact address that those are not given out until after a booking is confirmed. It's fine to tell them the general area, major cross streets nearby, if they are trying to get an idea of how close it is to places they will be going.

[Tam2273]

Thank you so much, you have taught me something here! I didn’t realise I did not have to decline, will definitely go with option 3 in future. 
the unit is in a complex, so there is no access fortunately and I did not give the unit number at all, but I will remove it immediately. Thanks again! 

[Brian3376]

We'd a host with 2 homes - 4 listings - Every listing (Upper floor, basements)  was titled "Entire Home" and they charged $140 cleaning fee. They also had a $180 unauthorized dog pet fee, hidden in the additional rules section. Throughout the listing it says pet friendly something like 8 times. Finally, they also have a duplicate listing? Except this time, it's the actual real "Entire home" for $18,000 a month.  In the additional rules section is a list of ways to charge guests. I.E. $250 party fee, plus eviction.    $500 smoking fee, etc.     Here's the original listing:   Cozy, Modern 2BR w/ Remote Workspace, Patio & Gym - Houses for Rent in Windsor, Ontario, Canada - Ai...             Here's the duplicate listing for $18,000 a month.  4 Beds | 2 Baths | mins from DT - Houses for Rent in Windsor, Ontario, Canada - Airbnb      We told Airbnb a few days ago and they fled immediately and don't want to speak with us anymore.         Not sure what's going on here?