As an Airbnb host, you already know that most guests tend to be respectable, responsible, and courteous. But let’s be realistic, bad Airbnb guests do exist. From disruptive parties to causing harm to the property, dealing with unruly guests is something every host fears but has to be prepared for.

At GrowYourbnb, we have crafted this blog post to help you confront the process of dealing with terrible guests with a sense of confidence. We will share how to mitigate bad Airbnb guests, protect your property, and ensure the success of your hosting business.

Why Bad Airbnb Guests Happen (And Why You Should Be Prepared)

You can screen guests with utmost care and set house rules but there will always be a chance of meeting someone who does not follow them. Bad Airbnb guests can be categorized as the ones who fail to follow the rules and those who are premeditated troublemakers. The most prevalent problems tend to be:

• Noise troubles such as complaints from neighbors regarding loud parties.
• Destruction of property such as broken furniture, carpets with stains, or even missing items.
• Extra unapproved guests beyond the previously agreed upon number.

Check out time violations and do not clean the space after use.

Step 1: Set Clear Expectations Before Booking

Preventing Bad Airbnb Guests from registering for your Airbnb in the first place, is a substitution for trying to manage them afterward. Well here is how to deal with this problem:

1. Craft Detailed House Rules

The house rules and the guidelines are the foremost way to prevent Bad Airbnb Guests. Enumerate everything that can and cannot be done on your property. For example:

No events or celebrations are allowed to be held. Absolute silence should be maintained from 10 PM to 8 AM. Smoking is not allowed inside the building. Room occupancy limits.

Make sure Bad Airbnb Guests see these guidelines in the description of your property and also make sure they accept these rules before confirming the reservation.

2. Use Airbnb’s Verification Tools

Airbnb has several tools available to aid the Hosts with the selection of Bad Airbnb Guests to make their stay convenient:

• Profile Reviews: Guests who leave reviews and mark ratings, check out the member’s profile and their previous reviews. They tend to be liable.
• Contact Them Before You Accept: Filter your propensity by putting random questions to them, for instance, “I want to know your purpose of travel” or “So how many of you are coming to stay?”
• Set Minimum Stay Requirements: This automatically means that reservations will not be made without payment in advance which is common with high-risk clients.

By placing rules in the beginning, you instill the possibility of reducing bad guests.

Step 2: During the Stay: Monitor and Communicate

Even with proper pre-screening, problems can occur during a guest’s unhappy stay at the property. This is how to deal with them in advance:

1. Stay Accessible

Encourage guests to reach out on multiple platforms like the phone, email, or any messaging apps. Make them fully aware that you’re there if they require assistance. Still, be sure to remind them of your house rules.

2. Leverage Smart Technology

Smart home equipment can serve as your guardians while guests are partying at your property:

Noise Alert System: Noise-minuting technologies help in detecting and monitoring high noise pollution levels. Such devices give out notifications on your phone upon detection of unnecessary alarming noise levels.

Remote Monitoring: You can put cameras in shared spaces (not in bedrooms or bathrooms) and try to watch people’s movements. Always mention cameras in your listing because they are required by Airbnb rules.

3. Respond Quickly to Issues

Be sure to talk to them after receiving reports of high noise levels from one of the neighbors or after suspecting suspicious actions from them. Politely follow up with house rules and back up your reasoning with the consequences of ignoring them. Most guests try to observe boundaries made known to them.

Step 3: After the Stay: Addressing Damage or Disputes

The truth is that some Bad Airbnb Guests leave a mess behind regardless of your patience. Here’s how to make the best out of the situation:

1. Document Everything

Make sure to take clear photos and videos of any damage that looks noteworthy before starting to clean or repair anything. If you plan on bringing up a claim with the Host Guarantee program, this will come in handy.

2. File a Claim Through Airbnb

As a host, there are two major protections you get from Airbnb:

• Property damage reimbursement: This covers damages made to the property up to a million dollars.
• Liability insurance: This provides coverage for bodily injury or any damage done to the host’s property.

Provide evidence of the damage with estimates for repair, and that should be enough evidence to file a claim. Airbnb claims are usually processed within a couple of weeks.

3. Leave Honest Reviews

After every issue is resolved, make sure to leave a rating based on your experience with the guest. It is easy to be furious and say something unnecessary, but that will only complicate things. A good example would be:

“It was unfortunate that the guest broke our property and had a party in the house when they signed a no-party clause with us. A claim had to be submitted through Airbnb to cover such expenses.”

Such customers should be held accountable so that every host can make the right decision.

Proactive Measures to Prevent Future Problems

Here are some measures that should be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening after dealing with a Bad Airbnb Guests.

1. Update Your Listing

Refine the house rules and adjust the listing based on your prior experiences. For instance, if there were issues with unauthorized guests, it would be pertinent to add a rule against them.

2. Increase Security Deposits

As some reservations such as large groups or last-minute bookings are often riskier, it would make sense to heighten the security deposit in these cases to protect oneself from any possible damages.

3. Block Problematic Dates

Consider blocking off holiday or festival dates if those tend to be the periods where rowdy guests check in to the property. Alternatively, if increased rates are an option for those dates, then one could do that as well.

4. Build a Network of Support

Consider connecting with other hosts in your area to trade information and tips regarding troublesome guests. Getting the info on Facebook groups and hosting forums is a big plus.

Contending with Bad Airbnb Guests is a whole different conundrum however, it is part and parcel of managing your hospitality business. You can ensure that your property is protected as well as keep your peace of mind by having clear expectations, utilizing modern technology, and having a proper plan of action about the most common problems that you may have to encounter as a host.

At GrowYourbnb, we understand each hindrance comes with a chance to progress. The fine-tuning of your pre-qualifications, the increasing of your property’s defense, or the mere reflection on previous inaccuracies, constitute a productive stride towards developing into better and more effective hosts.

So, take a deep breath when you are faced with a challenging Bad Airbnb Guests. You are equipped to handle it. And, if you wish to speak to someone or need any further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at GrowYourbnb so that we can assist you.