How to Avoid Bad Airbnb Guests and Get Good Reviews

Bad guests on any short-term rental platform, including Airbnb, are difficult to completely avoid no matter where you are in Canada – Toronto, Montreal, etc –, but there are always ways to minimize the risk and maximize getting those important positive reviews! Here are some more detailed tips for avoiding bad Airbnb guests:

1. Carefully look at the guest's profile and the reviews they have received from previous hosts before approving a reservation request. Input from other hosts is crucial when making a decision about accepting or declining a reservation. If the guest has consistently received positive reviews, they are likely to be a good guest. On the other hand, if they have received negative reviews or have a history of canceling reservations, they may not be the best fit for your property. It’s obvious, right? But many hosts still forget to do it! Also, pay attention to the guest's profile picture and the information they have provided about themselves. If a guest has a blank or incomplete profile, or if their profile picture looks suspicious, you may want to decline their reservation request. 

2. Clearly state any house rules and communicate them to the guest before their arrival. It is important for hosts to have their ‘House Rules’ written in the Airbnb listing and then to reiterate any important rules or information to the guest when relevant. If everything is communicated then you can ensure that guests understand your expectations and you prevent misunderstandings or issues during their stay. If you have specific rules about noise levels, guests bringing additional people, or pets, you can prevent any confusion by stating them again to the guest. Furthermore, if there is any dispute, you can always refer to your listing description or chat thread to show that everything was communicated already.

3. Require a government ID or verification from Airbnb before approving a reservation. Airbnb offers a variety of verification options to help hosts confirm the identity of their guests. You can require guests to provide a government ID or complete a verification process through Airbnb. This can boost security by ensuring that the person booking your property is actually who they say they are. An Airbnb management company like StayPro always minimizes the risk for their clients by requiring ID verification through Airbnb. 

4. Consider requiring a security deposit. A security deposit can provide an extra level of protection in case there is any damage to your property during the guest's stay. Airbnb allows hosts to set a security deposit amount, which is kept by Airbnb until after the reservation ends and the guest checks out. If there are any issues or any damage incurred in the property, the host can request that the security deposit be used to cover the damages.

5. Use the "Instant Book" feature only for guests with a history of positive reviews. The "Instant Book" feature can be a convenient way for hosts to get more bookings and make the reservation process for Airbnb guests easier, but it also allows guests to book your property without needing to wait for your approval. In this way, Airbnb hosts will not have the opportunity to review the guest's profile and reviews before approving the reservation. To minimize the risk of hosting a bad guest and getting involved in a dispute which might lead to bad Airbnb reviews, you may want to filter the "Instant Book" feature so that only guests with a history of positive reviews can book instantly.

6. Communicate immediately if there is a violation of rules or instructions. If you notice that the guest is behaving poorly or breaking house rules during their stay, Airbnb hosts should address the issue as soon as possible. Otherwise the situation will escalate when it could have been resolved much quicker with prompt communication. If you notice a violation, first try to communicate with the guest and explain why their behavior is not acceptable. If necessary, you can also contact Airbnb to report the issue and ask for assistance. In some cases, it may be necessary to ask the guest to leave early if they do not change their behavior. An Airbnb management company like StayPro has a 24/7 team that is monitoring your account to make sure all information is sent to the guest and the guest complies with all rules and regulations.

7. Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right about a guest or their reservation request, it's okay to decline the request. As a host, you have the right to set rules for your property and to refuse service to anyone who does not follow those rules. If you are concerned about a particular guest or reservation request, there may be some subliminal messaging telling you that this guest has red flags, so decline the request and look for a different guest who is a better fit for your property.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of hosting good Airbnb guests and minimizing the risk of hosting bad Airbnb guests. In this way, you can get good guests that will not try to take advantage of you and use negative Airbnb reviews as possible leverage. 

Airbnb reviews can be very helpful for hosts in a number of ways:

1. Airbnb reviews provide valuable feedback for hosts. When a guest leaves a review for a host, they often provide feedback about the property, the host's communication, and the overall experience of their stay. This feedback can be valuable for hosts and guide them toward making necessary changes that will increase the satisfaction of guests and ultimately boost their income. Airbnb hosts will be able to identify areas where they are doing well and areas where they may need to make improvements. For example, if a guest leaves a review saying that the property was clean and well-maintained, but that the host's communication was slow, the host can use this feedback to improve their communication with future guests. The host can also consider hiring an Airbnb management company like StayPro which has a 24/7 frontdesk to answer guest inquiries. 

2. Airbnb reviews help hosts build a reputation. As a host, your reputation is an important part of your business. By consistently providing a high-quality experience for your guests, you can build a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy host – and maybe you can even become an Airbnb Superhost! Airbnb reviews are a key part of this process, as they provide a public record of the experiences that guests have had with your property which gives potential Airbnb guests comfort when booking your listing. The more positive reviews you have, the more likely it is that future guests will be interested in staying at your property.

3. Airbnb reviews attract new guests. Positive reviews can ease any apprehension potential guests may have about booking a stay at your property and be the determining factor for their final decision. By consistently receiving positive reviews, you can make your property more attractive to potential guests and increase your chances of booking more stays.

4. Airbnb reviews can help hosts improve their listing. By reading through the reviews that guests leave for your property, you can get a sense of what they liked and didn't like about your listing. With Airbnb reviews, hosts know which improvements they need to make, such as updating your property descriptions, adding more amenities, or making your property more comfortable or welcoming. 

5. Airbnb reviews can help hosts increase their booking rates. By consistently earning positive reviews and building a strong reputation, Airbnb hosts will be in a position to increase their booking rates and therefore earn more money as an Airbnb host. This is because guests are more likely to book stays with hosts who have a history of providing high-quality experiences. By paying attention to your reviews and using the feedback to improve your property and hosting style, you can make your property more attractive to potential guests and start charging the big bucks!

Overall, Airbnb reviews are an important tool for hosts, as they provide valuable feedback, help build a reputation, attract new guests, and can even help increase booking rates. By taking the time to read through your reviews, learn from constructive feedback, you can become a more successful Airbnb host.

Here are some more detailed tips for getting good Airbnb reviews:

1. Provide a high-quality experience for your guests. The most effective way to get good reviews is to make sure your Airbnb guests have an amazing experience at your listing. This includes things like making sure your property is clean and well-maintained, communicating effectively with your guests, and being responsive to any issues or concerns that may arise during their stay. Consistency is key – and if you are able to provide it for your guests, you'll be more likely to earn positive reviews. If you aren’t able to devote enough time and attention to your accommodation, consider getting a remote Airbnb management company like StayPro to manage everything for you. 

2. Send an automated message with all important information to your guests upon confirmed reservation. It is important to anticipate the many questions and concerns your Airbnb guests may have. Be sure to set clear expectations for their stay by communicating check-in procedure, house rules, check-in and check-out times, and any other important details that your guests should know. Not only is this good communication, but it will also give your guests no excuse for saying they misunderstood the listing information. By staying in touch with your guests and being available to help, you can create a more positive experience for them.

3. Make your property welcoming and comfortable. Another important factor in getting good reviews is to make your property welcoming and comfortable for your guests. This includes things like providing clean linens, making sure the property is well-lit and well-ventilated, and providing basic amenities like soap, shampoo, and towels. StayPro has compiled a list of 10 Airbnb Inventory Mistakes Hosts Make to ensure you can avoid these errors! By going the extra mile to make your property comfortable and welcoming, you can improve the guest experience and increase your chances of getting good reviews.

4. Respond to reviews, especially the negative ones. If you do receive a review, be sure to respond to it promptly and professionally. Thank your Airbnb guests for their feedback and let them know that you value their opinion. If you receive a negative review, try to be understanding and apologetic, and if you are in the wrong, offer to make things right if possible. By responding to reviews, you can 1) show your guests that you care about their experience and are committed to improving and 2) clarify the situation for any potential guests that are looking at your Airbnb listing profile. This is a time-consuming process, so consider hiring an Airbnb management company like StayPro to guest inquiries and disputes on your behalf.

5. Encourage guests to leave reviews during their stay. There are many Airbnb guests who simply forget to leave a review. This is so common for many guests with busy lifestyles or who have a busy vacation itinerary. It is crucial for Airbnb hosts to consider whether the guest had a good experience and then encourage guests to leave reviews after their stay so that they don’t forget. 

6. Offer incentives for reviews. While it's important to respect Airbnb's policies on reviews and not appear to bribe reviews out of guests, Airbnb hosts can still find ways to encourage guests to leave reviews without violating these policies. For example, Airbnb hosts may consider offering a small gift or a discount on a future stay to guests who leave a review. Just be sure to follow Airbnb's guidelines and not to offer any incentives in exchange for positive reviews.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting good reviews from your Airbnb guests and building a strong reputation as a host. Remember, the key to getting good reviews is to provide a high-quality experience for your guests and to communicate effectively with them before, during, and after their stay.

For more helpful tips, check out 5 Tricks that will Boost your Airbnb Ratings & Reviews.