The straw that broke the camel's back

[Huma0]

So, this is a really small, trivial thing, but it drove me absolutely CRAZY today. I have a guest who has terrible communication (doesn't respond to ANY messages, ignored all check in instructions, refuses to listen to any logic about basic stuff) and keeps breaking numerous house rules, albeit the minor ones. She does some really weird, completely nonsensical stuff. She has the attention span of a gnat. Bare in mind, I host long term guests, so when things are not going swimmingly, it can build up to a load of frustration... So, yes, I am kind of just venting.

I am middle aged and so, in recent years, my eyesight has started to falter. Due to this, I bought a magnifying mirror. This suddenly disappeared. I am not talking about a small handheld mirror, but quite a substantial thing. A large, table top mirror that has a specific place. Today was my brother's 50th birthday party, yet I was unable to put on make up etc. because my mirror was gone. Just gone. 

Okay, seriously annoying (why do guests take other people's things without asking?) but not the worst thing in the world. Maybe I am feeling so irritated about this because it is about the 20th annoying thing this guest has done. She doesn't seem to see the need to close the fridge door, so my very expensive fridge had a a breakdown. She said my washing machine made her clothes stink, but turns out she washed her clothes and left them in a heap in her room rather than hanging them up. and on and on...Deep breath....

So, yeah, all small things. But how many small things before the camel's back breaks?

[Huma0]

@Helen744 

My listings have not been showing up on the map since the Summer Release unless, like I said, I zoom right in on my street, and, even then, one of the listings is underneath another so, even if I zoom in right over my house, you cannot see it on the map!

I have better luck with list view but it's still not great. Usually I have to enter quite a few specifics before the listings start to show up and. Also, there is always one much higher in the results, but this will switch around. It makes no sense as it's rarely the listing that has the earliest availability or that is more popular.

I believe many other hosts are having the same problems and voiced their concerns here on the CC after the Summer Release was rolled out, so it doesn't seem like Airbnb has done anything to fix this.

[Kristina46 · Accepted solution]

Oh Huma... deep breaths. This is ghastly. <p>

I know you are much more experienced than most hosts here, but is there a chance your prices are too low? I know we all want guests to book, but there is a certain threshold I don't drop under. I find that in general, the lower paying guests will exhibit some of these traits. I am in a different market than you of course. I am not in a city. But I still find, counterintuitive as it is, the higher the prices, the better behaved and more appreciative the guests. <p>

I really don't like that the guest admitted she was "drunk." Then she can't work the key, rolls around at the neighbors, causes other issues, maybe outside your doors. This is exactly the kind of person that causes municipalities to want to ban rentals, even hosted like yours. <p>

The removal of your mirror without asking is NOT trivial. Ask the guest for it back. Don't let that one go. Don't suffer in silence! <p>

Hopefully this person checks out soon! They sound like a nightmare! <p>

If not, I would consider asking Airbnb to cancel their stay because of constant breaking of house rules. (But get the mirror back first! And what else has she taken?!!)

[Kristina46]

Sorry Huma! Just realized this thread is months old! I guess you can completely ignore my response! 😂

[Huma0]

@Kristina46 

Sorry, just saw your responses now!

Yes, I have heard many times that low prices attract badly behaved guests. I did put my prices up recently, but I have to say I don't see an improvement. If anything, they are a bit worse! Perhaps I didn't put them up high enough?

Being drunk is of course not an excuse. I let her off the hook for it, because you know, we all have those moments... But, she continued the same sort of behaviour, so I doubt it was just due to intoxication as she didn't seem wasted, just a regular 21-year-old who parties a bit on weekends...

[Huma0]

So, the most recent guest I mentioned of this 'ilk' has checked out already. Not sure what to write in the review... I tend to be far too generous or just not leave a review at all with these types, but I know that isn't fair to other hosts.

What do people think about this?

"X stayed with me for around a month. I didn’t see much of her, but she was always friendly, pleasant and polite when I did. However, communication was tricky as she mostly didn’t respond to messages and seemed to struggle with following basic instructions. More cleaning was required than normal, such as stained towels, disposing of rotting food during and after her stay and unwanted items left behind when she checked out. I wish X all the best as she seems like a nice person, but probably needs a bit more experience before she becomes a 5* guest.