Unfriendly Airbnb guests are every Airbnb host’s biggest threat and worst nightmare. Airbnb is a business, and just like all businesses, there is always a risk of getting stuck with grumpy and mood-killer people with whom you have no choice but to deal. However, the risk of having an unfriendly Airbnb guest is not that high, and more than 95% of the guests are friendly and follow the rules. Still, to be a professional Airbnb host, you should always be ready to manage every unpredictable hosting challenge.
In a 2023 survey conducted by Airbnb, 95% of guests reported being respectful and following house rules. However, the remaining 5% can create significant challenges for hosts. Hosts should prepare to manage unpredictable situations by setting clear expectations and being ready to address any issues that arise. (Based on Airbnb Community Survey)
The following sections will discuss bad-tempered Airbnb guests and how to manage and prevent the situation.
Valuable Tips for Dealing with Unfriendly Airbnb Guests
There are two points in every critical situation: how to act before the challenge and handle things later.
Step one: Prevention
As a professional host, the first action you should take is to avoid approving grumpy guests as much as possible.
Turn Your Instant Booking Off!
But how can I lower the risk of hosting unfriendly Airbnb guests? You may say I’m not a fortuneteller; I can’t predict people’s behavior. But the truth is you can learn a great deal about your future guests by just spending a few minutes checking out their profiles.
Before doing that, turning off the Instant Book option is essential. The instant book option allows everyone to book your place immediately after pressing the button without your consultation. By turning it off, you can lower the risk of cancellation from your side (which is a negative point for Airbnb hosts and can even lead to account suspension) and give yourself a chance to check out the guests and then approve them if you’re OK.
As soon as you skim over a guest profile, you notice things. Pay attention to all the information, profile picture, description, etc. If a guest’s profile lacks information, you can ask them to complete theirs. If they refuse to do that, watch out! It’s the first red flag of an unfriendly Airbnb guest!
In the second step of this level, you have to read all the guests’ reviews to find out what the previous hosts thought about them and their experience of hosting them. Further, the overall rating of a guest matters, too. If someone sends you a booking request with below two stars (an obvious sign of a bad Airbnb guest), you should reject them immediately. You’ll get in trouble by accepting them, and they’re below two stars for a reason, right?!
Make the Airbnb House Rules Clear to Everyone!
Sometimes, you’re uncomfortable with the guests’ behavior and may think, “Oh God, unfriendly Airbnb guests again”! But, on the other hand, you may also seem weird to your guests, and they might find you a cold fish! So what’s going on?
As an Airbnb host, you’re part of an international community, meaning your guests may come from diverse races, nations, and cultural backgrounds. What seems odd to you might be perfectly normal in another culture. Clearly outline your house rules to avoid issues with unfriendly Airbnb guests or cultural misunderstandings. Make sure to mention every guideline that matters to you as a host. Input these rules on your profile, write them down, and even display them in your home to ensure clear communication and avoid confusion.
Step two: Crisis management!
If you did all previous actions to avoid trouble but still ended up with a bad-tempered Airbnb guest, you need to grit your teeth and handle it.
Stay Out of Their Way.
If an unfriendly Airbnb guest responds to you grumpily, the best solution is to avoid confronting them as much as possible. Some people prefer to be alone and not talk to anyone. It’s not always necessary to be chatty to your guests to show your kindness and hospitality; they only want to be left alone as much as possible. Just contact them whenever they need you and whenever it is necessary.
Consult the Guest Before Involving Airbnb.
When you encounter unfriendly Airbnb guests who behave poorly, it’s better to ask them about their problem and how you can help them before involving Airbnb or canceling their reservation. What’s essential at this level is not to judge and blame the guest (not at least in their face!). A bad-tempered Airbnb guest might behave like that for multiple reasons. For example, they may have had a bad experience during their previous stay, or they may currently struggle with a mental crisis that is hard to control. Anyway, try to offer solutions to solve your guests’ problems and start the conversation by taking their side by saying sentences like: “I’m sorry that you faced this problem here; let’s talk about what I can do to help you.”
Did Everything, But It Wasn’t Enough?!
Sometimes, you do everything you can perfectly, but the problems remain unsolved.
Believe it or not, there are always fussy people trying to find negative aspects to nag about. Sometimes, they only do this to get a discount or free services. These are the actual instances of bad Airbnb guests. You can tell them you can happily cancel their reservation since you cannot do anything else for them.
Contact Airbnb
Consider this the final solution when there is no other way. For example, suppose you’re dealing with a highly bad-tempered/unfriendly Airbnb guest who irrationally makes you uncomfortable. In that case, you can ask Airbnb to relocate the guest.
FAQ
What Is an Unfriendly Airbnb Guest?
An unfriendly Airbnb guest may exhibit rude, disrespectful, or unpleasant behavior during their stay, often leading to a poor experience for the host. This could include ignoring house rules, being unresponsive, or acting ungratefully.
How Can I Prevent Hosting Unfriendly Guests?
To minimize the risk of hosting unfriendly guests, turn off the Instant Book feature and carefully review potential guests’ profiles, reviews, and ratings. Look for red flags like incomplete profiles or low ratings from previous stays.
What Should I Include in My Airbnb House Rules?
Your house rules should cover important aspects like noise restrictions, check-in/out times, guest limits, and any specific preferences you have for your property. Make sure to communicate these rules on your profile and inside your home.
How Should I Handle Unfriendly Airbnb Guests?
Remain calm and avoid confrontation. Try to understand the guest’s perspective and offer solutions to resolve their issue. If necessary, involve Airbnb support to mediate the situation or relocate the guest if things escalate.
What If a Guest Is Being Disrespectful or Unreasonable?
If the situation becomes unmanageable, politely suggest canceling the reservation and contacting Airbnb support to assist with finding a resolution or relocating the guest.
Can I Cancel a Booking Due to Unfriendly Airbnb Guests?
Yes, if a guest behaves irrationally or violates your house rules, you can contact Airbnb to cancel the reservation penalty-free. It’s important to document the issue and communicate with Airbnb for support.
What Should I Do If a Guest Book is for Someone Else?
Airbnb generally discourages third-party bookings. If you notice this, you can request that the guest create an account or contact Airbnb to help resolve the issue.
Final Words
As an Airbnb host, paying attention to these tips will help you manage tense situations with unfriendly guests. Just try not to forget to remain calm, relaxed, and collected. Offer solutions to help them. By staying clear and logical, you can show them you are standing by their side, trying to help.
Have you ever had an experience hosting unfriendly Airbnb guests? How did you handle it? How do you prevent a tense situation between you and your unfriendly Airbnb guests?! Share your experiences and ask your questions in the comment section below.
It’s really not simple to please every single guest 100% but it is an improvable skill. Having been an Airbnb host for 5 years, I think I’m getting a hold of it! 😀