So, I am hoping someone can help me out here as I cannot find the definitive answer on Airbnb’s site anywhere!
Back story, we had a recent guest who requested to book for herself and four girl friends to stay for three nights in order to catch up and have a ‘mini staycation’ She let me know she was local but implied her friends were not… and of course you cannot see a photo until the booking is confirmed. She has had an Airbnb account since 2019 but no reviews. I accepted the booking as we all have to start somewhere and assumed that at the minimum she would be 25 years old as I understood that Airbnb blocked entire homes for guests under that age unless they had three good reviews.
Fast forward to the day after checkout. Housekeeper arrives to find the house in absolute disarray, with the remains of birthday decorations still up, rubbish bins overflowing, unwashed crockery, evidence that more than five stayed, spare linens all used, spillages etc etc. And just about every house rule we have broken. It was truly horrible. Fortunately or unfortunately, our neighbours are not close so there were no noise complaints and other than a very loose kitchen tap, no damage.
We do not have cameras outside as I don’t like to intrude on our guests privacy in any way and to date we have never had an issue.. although I am now going to rethink this one. However, because I try to respect my guests privacy I don’t ask too many questions or attempt to look them up on social media. My 18 year old neighbours son being a typical nosey teenager does not have such scruples and has now told me (and sent me evidence) that this guest was actually celebrating her 19th Birthday on the Saturday and is also a ‘Housekeeper’ at well known business about 10 miles away.
I want to know if it is allowed to open an account if under the age of 18 and if not then how Airbnb allowed this ‘guest’ to open up a verified account in 2019 when she would have only been 16-17 years old max? I would also like to know how Airbnb allowed a guest 18 years old at the time of booking, to book an entire home Airbnb herself without three previous reviews? My requirements are verified government ID to book.
I honestly though Airbnb had our ‘backs’ to avoid this sort of thing but I obviously thought wrong. If anyone could provide me with a link to the relevant Airbnb policy on this I would be very grateful.