inquiry with concerning reviews

[Rebecca2501]

Hello, I have recently recieved a booking inquiry for a month, but she was asking to stay a year.and wanted to know if she had access to the whole kitchen.

Normally I would be very excited to have a long term guest until I looked at her reviews and their contents. It seems there has been consistant breaking of house rules, urine in a trash can, massive smell of smoke. Before seeing this I had already responded to her message as when I get an alert I usually answer asap. I had told her hello and thank you for the inquiry and asked her what was bringing her to the area as 90% of my guests have been in the medical profession as we have a large amount of medical facilities here. almost 24 hrs now I get a respose of "retirement, is that a problem for you?"

My gut is screaming no but at the same time I am argueing with myself it may have not been meant that way, etc. So I just responded to ask her if she could please explain the very recent reviews that were left for her regarding now being able to follow house rules in regards to smoke, insense buring and urine in trash cans. At the end of the day I think I am going to have to decline but to date I have only done it once, but it was recent from someone who was suspious as only one word answers and sending multiple requests for all of my rooms and somthing was off. I do not want AirBB to lower my rating or anything but I live in my house and do not want to deal with what could be a nightmare....

If anyone who also rents out space in the home they live in,  has any advice at all to offer or what that they have that helps to make a definitive answer on accepting a guest or not, that would be great.

[Rebecca2501]

I wanted to add, the fact she even asked about the kitchen, told me that she could not have read through the listing, as the kitchen is posted as a shared space along with touching base on it in my rules sections. I would think if you want to stay a year with someone you may want to read the whole listing...but maybe its just my thinking.

[Helen3]

as a homeshare host I don't want a guest for a year if I did I would take in lodgers . I certainly wouldn't accept a long term guest with bad reviews such as these .

I'd just be honest and say you can't accept her request because of her previous reviews @Rebecca2501 

if it's an inquiry as you state you don't need to decline you just need to respond..

[Marie8425]

@Rebecca2501 

When someone says a year to me on Airbnb 

Airbnb is more expensive then a 1 urea LTR.

Usually the less expensive LTR does a credit check, a security deposit and maybe a lease but minimum 30 days notice to you if a change.

You have to think is your pricing reflective of risk you are accepting?

[Joan2709]

@Rebecca2501 

As @Helen3 states, if this is just an inquiry, no need to decline - just respond within 24 hrs.

If it's a request to book, I would run as fast as you can on this one. Your instincts are correct. 

There are alot of scammers who book long term stays, then make up reasons for a refund and cancel after a month and get a free stay from Airbnb.

[Kitty-and-Creek0 · Accepted solution]

@Rebecca2501 

Everyone else who has responded has excellent comments. Like @Helen3 I am also a home share host. I am not looking for a house mate,  (especially one with potential issues @Marie8425 and without a credit/background check, deposit, airtight lease).  I am totally happy with short term guests. That's my input, in addition to the other terrific comments from @Joan2709 @Marie8425 @Helen3. It is always up to you, of course, but I'd thank the person for her interest and conclude that it is not such a good match( @Joan2709 )