I have been an Airbnb host for more than four years and in two countries. My review history ranged between 4-4.5 stars. Generally speaking I received lower ratings from those nitpicky guests this very website warns you about and great ratings form seasoned travellers who appreciate our friendly approach and willingness to assist guests with any reasonable requests for queries.
Last month we got this quiet, serious American girl with her two study mates. She had just signed up for Airbnb in March this year. I was their first booking. They wanted to stay for almost 1.5 months. Although I earn much better to rent to short term guests, I agreed to host them and even give them a discount, as it seemed they were nice people.
That was the wrong inclination. Firstly we discovered that although going to uni and studying aerospace engineering and nuclear physics (which they claimed to be their majors) doesn’t mean people know that one doesn’t hang wet laundry all over their host’s wooden furniture. Surely they wouldn’t do that at mum’s place? When we kindly asked them to hang it outside (we live in a country with daily sunshine and stuff dries in a blink of an eye) we were sneered at and ignored until reminded the second time.
For more than 40 days we lived under the same roof, yet they couldn’t muster more than a hello, which was usually initiated by us and they just politely answered to. Then they were gone. The place was filthy and some household items (hangers, plug adapters) were missing. We got a phone call from Airbnb that stated we were being terminated. No explanation was given and no one cared that our guests were filthy, and stole from us. This can’t be real.
Since I have discovered in life that (a German proverb says: “Recht haben und Recht bekommen sind zwei verschiedene Dinge”, i.e. “To be in the right and to be done justice are two different things”) I have now followed Kelly Kampen and opened 9Flats.com and Flipkey accounts. I will be actively promoting these in any way possible.
Go to hell, Airbnb. No one needs you. You are pretentious and unfair and outright biased, racist, etc. There will be other competitors. Let’s open the market to more competitors.
Please someone explain what AAA is ? Thanks.
May I ask what is AAA – I need to know as I had my own issues with Airbnb – 2 .5 years of hosting and completed 300 bookings – imagine (8 rooms-listings) but I was accused of discrimination because I made “racial” comments on a specific group but only basing on consistent experiences – nevertheless accepted bookings from such group. They disabled my account and I had 5000 worth of future bookings they wont pay. I am in Switzerland.
VRBO/HomeAway
File a case w the AAA and don’t agree to get rid of the arbitrator. The AAA can keep a secret.
My advice: do not accept long-term tenants unless they are experienced Airbnb users and have decent reviews. Indeed, it is financially more interesting to have short-term lets and then, if you don’t get on, at least you know tenants won’t be around for long:)