what is airbnb policy for guests receiving regular mail and packages at host address without permission

Alexandra85
Level 3
Portland, OR

what is airbnb policy for guests receiving regular mail and packages at host address without permission

understand that Airbnb guest receiving mail without host permission is a violation of host privacy. Airbnb guests are to respect host privacy as such?

3 Replies 3
Oksana127
Level 10
Riga, Latvia

@Alexandra85 It’s great that you’re being proactive about understanding Airbnb policies and maintaining good practices as a host! Here's some guidance for handling situations like guests receiving mail or packages without permission:

Respecting a host’s privacy is an essential part of the Airbnb community standards. Guests should not use the host’s address to receive mail or packages without explicit permission. If this happens, it’s important to address it calmly and professionally:

  • Clarify Boundaries in Your Listing: Update your house rules or description to include a clear policy about mail and package deliveries. For example, state that unauthorized mail or packages are not allowed.
  • Communicate Directly with the Guest: If a guest receives mail without permission, kindly remind them of the house rules and explain why this is a concern for your privacy and security.
  • Report Unusual Behavior to Airbnb: If a guest repeatedly disregards your rules, document the incident and contact Airbnb’s support team for assistance. They can intervene if necessary.
  • Consider a Clear Welcome Message: In your check-in instructions or welcome message, mention key policies like this one to ensure guests are aware from the start.
  • Stay Polite and Solution-Oriented: Hosting involves communication, so even when addressing issues, aim to keep the tone polite and professional to maintain a good guest experience.

As a host, cultivating a balance between hospitality and setting boundaries is key. By being clear and consistent, you'll create a positive experience for both you and your guests.

Paula
Community Manager
Community Manager
Port Moody, Canada

Hello @Alexandra85,
 

Thank you for bringing this topic to the community.

 

Have you had a chance to read Oksana's advice? Do you have any further questions?

 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

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Please follow the Community Guidelines // Por favor consulta las Normas de la comunidad

Airbnb Reimbursement Request **
 
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Thank you Paula.

 

Airbnb instant booked this guest outside o f my host guidelines. The reservation was approved according to Airbnb notice for acceptance be at Strict Cancellation terms, which host and guest had to honor! This guest  did not have any intention to follow any of my rules or Airbnb's. When I complained to Airbnb about excessive guest of guest use and other violations, this guest threatened me for complaining to Airbnb after Airbnb asked guest not to have a guest all of the  time when my listing is one person only and guests are not to remove host personal property from host listing. Guest threatened that I had better not enter guest house even with proper notice. Guest was able to get away with bad behavior because Airbnb support does not have the ability to visit the property  or to see what is going on guest figured that out right away and conned guest support-guest made privacy complaint, Airbnb suspended my listing for a week without consulting me even though my listing discloses all cameras and none are  inside guest house nor do they look inside guest house windows. There has never been a privacy complaint at this property. Guest was up to no good, which I did not discover until guest suddenly left.  Support was lied to and supported guest's lies over a Super Host complaints with hundred thousands of dollars at stake. Guest removed items from guest house, brought guest's own toaster/airfryer oven to guest house without permission - brought my toaster oven and air fryer and placed on my front porch. Guest nor did Airbnb have my permission to receive packages and mail at my home address. Guest had/has a current mailing address at Lewis and Clark College only 5 min. away. Guest did  not want Lewis and Clark to discover what guest was up to -Airbnb has its own policy that it  respects host privacy by not taking advantage of it as such by allowing guest's to go through hosts' mail, and come onto host porch to get packages without notice. Guest and guest's guest skipped out suddenly when guest was posted w notice of my and maintenance person's property maintenance/cleaning inspection approx. 2 wks before guest reservation ended. Guest complaint that guest was told guest was not to have mail delivered to host address was given as an excuse to Airbnb for guest's hasty exit. So despite the strict cancellation terms at the beginning of  reservation, and the fact the Airbnb respects hosts' privacy by not allowing unauthorized mail delivery-- The reason being that guest can claim residency and can have contraband delivered to host address/home, guest was wrongly given a refund of nearly $2,000 because Airbnb determined without asking me and despite Airbnb privacy policy for hosts. Then, my maintenance person and I discovered that guest and unauthorized roommate were manufacturing, distributing, and using Methamphetamine Vape Juice. They were using my guest house as their business facility. I strongly suspect the mail and package deliveries were related too that criminal enterprise. Guest and roommate left immediately upon the legal notice of  the inspection because guest knew we would discover what they were up to during guest's stay. Turning my property into a Meth Vape Lab with the support of Airbnb that made my guest house uninhabitable for months due to the meth vape contamination. I have had no income from the guest house during that time to the present thanks to Airbnb's negligence dealing with this dishonest guest. There is a current Portland police report to substantiate this criminal activity. Airbnb took away my super host status, took months to pay me for the damages (not all was paid) and then took the $2000 credit given to the criminal guest from my  building and personal property damages payout that had nothing to do with the property's physical damages leaving me greatly  harmed. Airbnb told me that Airbnb is an international company and does not have to follow US, Oregon and Portland City laws! Airbnb was using my valuable property in an illegal manner albeit by allowing by its lax/unreliable rules and use of foreign operators to manage US listings. I am 77 years old and have lived in my home for 36 years. Airbnb placed me at extreme personal and financial risk by aiding the criminal guest to basically steal by not honoring the Airbnb  Strict Reservation policy and host privacy policy  by penalizing me the host for not allowing guest to receive mail without my express permission whether or not it was in my rules - it is in Airbnb's guarantee of host privacy. Airbnb removed the complete Airbnb message thread between me the host and this guest. I want to know why? Airbnb bounced me from team to team delaying settling this case, which was only finally accepted by Resolutions because I submitted a complete substantive file of evidence to substantiate my claim for damages and proved it was timely submitted. Airbnb, by accommodating this guest, subjected me to elder, gender, and financial abuse in this case. I promise you and Airbnb that I am seeking justice no matter how long it takes. The public, government housing authorities need to be made aware of the extreme risks esp. to hosts for hosting Airbnb guests. Alexandra P Clark

 

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