What to do about avoiding retaliatory reviews

[David14279]

What method is anyone using to avoid retaliatory reviews when you have to make a damage claim now that Airbnb got rid of the review timer countdown?

[Elaine701]

@David14279 

There's a few basic ways to avoid retaliatory reviews.

First, get an insurance policy for STRs. This way, you don't need to confront guests with damage claims. If they burn the house down then the insurance company will go after the guest without you having to confront them.

Otherwise, if they ruin the towels and sheets, or break the glasses or stain the rug, chalk it up to a cost of doing business and move on. 

Second, screen your guests. Turn off instant book and require them to ask first. Ask friendly questions. Their answers (or lack of them) can reveal a lot. Prevention is priceless. 

Lastly, never give them any sense that you may be unhappy prior to checkout. Just thank them and wish them a pleasant journey home. They'll think they got away with itsnd very likely wrote you a glowing review.

You however, should write the truth in your review of the guest. If you had seen that review, you would have declined them and avoided the entire episode.

I hope that helps. Good luck and happy hosting. 

[Marie8425]

You have to be clear a bad Review is not automacilly retailatory just because yout filing damages by the Guest.  A Guest who caused damage so significant that your seeking reimbursement is not going to leave a happt Review that they are glad you noticed whayt they did and they have a bill.   If they seen anything they are going to focus on the one hair they seen.  Reyailitary is more like writing a lie in their Review or say something about you personally that gas nothing to do with the renyal.  The Host is charging me damages because the Host doesn't like my sex.

I agree I only use Aircover very infrequent.  I think I have onlty used once.    Aircover is a Host protection plan not a STR  insurannce.  Aircover claims the Guest is contacted to pay damage.    Aircover's first choice is the Guest pay not Aircover.  So you will have to respond to the Guest Arguments that they are nit responsible.  If the Guest will not agree to pay. Aircover requires that you document a real need.  Not sonething that you could do for a lessor cost.  I had a case a male dog thought my expensyve AC equipment in yard was a tree to pee on.  I submitted the expensive paid bill by my AC company documenting urine and cleaning of the problem.  In my case Aircover got the Guest to pay.  I had informed him first but he was disgruntled large cost.  Having it paid and the AC technician paid invoice there wasn't much to argue so Aircover was able to Get Guest payment.  I forget now but I think I got a 3 or 4, contrary to my normal Reviews.