third-party booking request

[Anne17094]

Hi Rebecca-- My brother and I are new hosts (as of June), and today we received a booking request from someone who wants to make the reservation for four other guests but is not himself going to be staying. We have gone around a bit with him about how this can properly be done under AirBnB policy, and gave him these steps: 

1. Once the guest accepts the invitation, click the listing you want to reserve
2. Select dates, number of guests, then click Reserve
3. On the checkout page, go to Who you’re booking for
4. Select the name of the guest you have permission to book for
5. Click Confirm and pay

 He has an AirBnB account, with several positive reviews, but the proposed guests do not. He said that he is going to add these people (a family) as guests per the "standard procedure," but how do we know, before accepting the reservation, that they are going to assume responsibility for any damages? The reason he wants to accommodate these people sounds legit, but we just want to make sure we're not opening ourselves up to liability risks.  Thanks for your advice. 

[Frances3408]

@Anne17094 . It is quite easy to add guests at the Request stage; please make it a part of the pre booking that they need to register and not cave into accepting booking and then hoping you get their details later. I make it part of my rules upfront but say I will give them first preference on dates requested for the next 48 hours- blocking the dates if request lapses in first 24 hours without action. After that I unblock them for anyone else to book.  I do not involve Airbnb.

I did this for an extended family booking of 8 where many were overseas at the time. A good guest will respect and work within your rules- a bad one will want to take full advantage. I worry less about declines and more about letting total strangers into the property that Airbnb hasnt identified.  Also because Airbnb charge financial penalties for cancelling a confirmed booking.

Assume the risk is all on you for third party bookings and it may change what you accept. Good luck.