guest refusing to comply with Greek law - should I kick him out?

[Alice391]

This is a new one. Have been successful airbnbing our Crete house by the sea since it was legal. However, the Greek government over the past few years have insisted upon our accountants having:

1) exact amount of time guest stayed

2) exact amount of money we received

3) name and passport/ID of 'leading' guest

Hotels and airbnbs ALL have this. It's a legal thing to ensure that the government gets the tax its owed.

We've never had a guest have an issue with this before. But as I casually mentioned this to our current guest, he hit the roof, claiming invasion of privacy, and complained to Airbnb. The Airbnb person contacted me and said I could kick him out, but would have to refund him for the rest of his trip (he's about halfway). Well, it would serve him right if we did - good luck with finding a replacement in August on Crete AND whatever hotel he did find would have the same requirement!!!!

BUT... could he still review us?  What should we do?

Finally, Airbnb support said we should mention this on our listing. Have NEVER seen this on any other Greek listing. Wouldn't it make it seem as if we're the only ones "invading" our guests' privacy?

Please advise!!!! Have written to our accountants for advice too.

XAlice

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Alice391 I have no good advice I am afraid except to make it an additional rule in your listing that guests provide this information (as required by law). The only (bad?) advice is inform the local police that this chap is not complying with the law. The question is does a bad review cost more than any legal issues you may face?

[Alice391]

Very grateful for your take on this. I think the tax people wouldn't blame us IF we kick him out. We'd be backing them up (and their law).

As for the reviews... I guess that's what I'm asking! We have 17 good to great reviews and our place has a sensational view - you can hear the Med from every room. Maybe switch to booking.com and start over? XAlice

[Alice391]

PS I really don't want to be the ONLY Crete place mentioning this on Airbnb. My husband suggests that I don't accept bookings from people unhappy with the Greek tax law. 

[Helen744]

@Alice391 I think Alice that your guest is well aware of the law.the guest would have had to give ID to Airbnb to even book . I never take people who do not supply ID and we have no such law , but that is for other security reasons entirely. Please put this in your opening message and if other hosts do not do this then 'more fool them'.Simply say 'we will require full id on arrival , to comply with the law as Airbnb do not pass on any ID and we need to know who is in our house at all times for your safety and ours". If people assume you are 'data harvesting or trying to steal their ID then I find this laughable.Hotels ask for ID .Before guests arrive pass on your mobile number and ask for a copy of ID to be sent through or sent via messaging, after booking. Double up on messaging , as in on your mobile and also the phone.Inform your guest that this must be complied with or the guest risks cancellation before the stay can commence.. H

[Alice391]

I'm very grateful to you, Helen.

First, the guest had second thoughts and sent us the passport details today. So - in a way - problem over.

Second, we are never going to accept a booking without the details, from now on. It's not worth grief from the Greek tax authorities, is why. 

The only reason I'm not going to put this requirement on our listing is that - although you're right, EVERY Greek hotel or rented place requires it, NOBODY does, and it might make some people think that we MIGHT wish to impersonate them or similar. But there's always something, isn't there? You think you've seen it all... but you haven't! XAlice

[Helen744]

@Alice391 I guess Alice I would be hoping to receive the guests ID BEFORE they arrive and not engaging in a discussion or argument at any stage.. I guess it is timing because in fact you do 'ask for ID and according to the way Airbnb operates if the guest goes ahead with the booking and it is not in your rules then you have no defense and will then need to explain why either you cancelled the guest or refused the booking... Airbnb is not Greece. Good Luck Alice... H

[Kitty130]

you abusive landlords!! 

[Shirley26]

Here in Madison, Wisconsin, we are required to report quarterly to Zoning,  the following information:

1. Room(s)

2. Arrival Date

3. No. of Nights

4. Guest  name

5.  Guest Contact Information (email, phone no. or home address)

6. No. of guests

7. Listing No.

8. Host on site (this is a  yes or no check off)

9. Host off site (this is a yes or no check off)

Note:  Airbnb collects all state and local taxes from the guest and pays it to the government entity.

Best, s

[Kitty130]

why dont you take the details from the platform instead of abusing the guest and making him share sensible GDPR protected data?!