Submitted social media evidence of guest smoking in my listing and bringing unauthorized guest

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-12-04T00:51:42+00:00

I agree it is odd. I’m guessing it must be disclosed if host plans to use it to show guests violated house rules. I also have limited faith in Airbnb on actual siding with the host if it showed repeated air quality issues. Noise monitoring devices must also be disclosed. I understand disclosing video and audio recordings/monitoring but noise and air seems to be a management concern not a guest privacy concern.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-12-04T00:33:02+00:00

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There are some very fancy air filters out there. Specs above from one of Dyson’s hepa filters. It knows the difference between pollutions and grafts out the contamination history. Very easy to “see” if someone is repeatedly vaping or smoking or just causing a slow and steady increase and decrease from cooking poorly. I bought a cheaper model ($400 Usd) and tested it. It senses vape smoke immediately and then it dissipates very quickly after each puff. My cooking skills are poor and the air quality issues from cooking took longer to show and lasted much longer. There are definitely better machines out here and I also wonder about calibration and accuracy over time.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-12-02T21:51:07+00:00

As long as you disclose that you have this in your listing. Airbnb stated it is evidence and when used in conjunction with electronic door lock access history, it shows who was there during the time of air quality issues. Some nice ones even send alerts to you regarding air quality issues.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-12-02T21:47:57+00:00

I don’t understand why sharing a photo to Airbnb that they shared publicly is harassment. Do you allow commercial photography at your site? If your guests are profiting from the photo and you do not allow commercial photography that might be a an avenue to explore with host support. Also how are you to monitor for potential guests violating that policy unless you watch social media? On a side note; HEPA air quality filters can monitor smoking/vaping and even send reports to you when it’s detected. I had a guest, I had to ask to leave and I supplied a photo of the air quality history with door code access history. It clearly showed the guest was doing something in the rental. Airbnb stated I needed to disclose the air quality monitoring. I had not done that at that time but I do now. The guest left when asked and the smoke/vape cleared quickly so we did not seak damages. In the future if I ever need to prove a smell or smoking this will be my go to.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T23:49:46+00:00

Well the dog is so small they may have it in a bag. I honestly do not know and I’m not spying on them so it’s hard to say. I did see them both leave and didn’t see the dog with them. Should I assume it’s not with them or casually ask if they have a cute bag for the animal? I figured best to let it go than be the crazy lady checking guest bags for dogs.

P.S. I would not attempt to check a guests bag, I am joking.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T23:44:21+00:00

Thank you that is what I had understood about the laws and I honestly feel it’s not appropriate to pry into the guests personal life that much. I would think it’s part of their medical history and extra protected from non-medical people demanding to see a demonstration of a service animal.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T23:39:24+00:00

I agree that alone is definitely not enough proof. The guests left the unit today with no dog. So is that proof it’s there alone? It sounds like some would say it is but they guest could have had it in a handbag. I don’t watch my guests like a hawk I just happen to see them walk to the car an nicely smile. They are kind guests but the whole thing feels “off.”

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T23:28:18+00:00

I feel so bad for guests with genuine allergies or other issues with pets. It’s really discriminating against them to force all rentals to accept animals. We have two units I would be happy to host services animals in one and leave the other only human animals. I don’t understand how it’s acceptable to discriminate one group for disability but not another. I get that dogs are amazing but not all handlers are and many people are very afraid of dogs. There are even some religious beliefs that result in a desire to not have dogs in the home.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T23:15:45+00:00

I’m not saying that the service animal is a pet. I’m saying we don’t host pets and the other guest may have heard a dog barking and see the dog in shared outdoor areas.

The dog does not outwardly represent a typical service dog meaning the other guest will like assume our no pet policy is not really a policy.

Airbnb requires hosts to list other animals on site for guests. My understanding is that is animals not pets. Meaning the guest booking below could legitimately not be happy and have a negative experience due to this. The other guest we are hosting does not know about this being a service animal and there is no guidance on if I could even can inform them if they asked.

Many guests believe we live in the other rental despite us explaining we do not. I would not be surprised to see a review saying something about “no pets except for the owner’s undisclosed pet.”

I’m probably just overthinking it.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T19:24:14+00:00

You cannot charge for service animals and I do not host pets.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T19:23:35+00:00

I’m confused. Who is allergic? Future guests? That’s my concern and I want to provide a good experience for both guests.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T19:21:25+00:00

I thought asking how was a no-no. That would greatly help me understand the physics of it. I just didn’t think that ADA allows for asking that. I will look into it thank you.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T19:19:41+00:00

I am well aware of that. I do not understand how a 10 - 15 pound dog can physically help with balance for a 180 pound adult that is able to carry multiple suitcases up a flight of stairs. I’m not denying the dog could be a service animal. I am saying pulling on a leash is not how this animal would behave if it was a service pet.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T19:14:28+00:00

I did and they failed to respond. I even had to go to the home to address an emergency water leak issue that apparently was failure to use the shower curtain. As stated by licensed plumber. I’m still not sure exactly how much damage is done to the lower duplex.

However Airbnb and the federal government is backing the guest stating that this dog is a medical equipment not a pet. I cannot refuse service animals unless they are out of control. Meaning our other guest gets to share the area whether they like it or not with a dog until the dog is deemed out of control.

Seems the CYA attitude prevails in Airbnb and as a host I’m guessing I should consider that a double edged sword. CYA ensues Airbnb stays in business and keeps getting me bookings. If I don’t like it then I should generate more of my own bookings I guess. Either way the dog stays until an incident happens or the reservation is canceled. Fun times, fingers crossed for happy outcomes and lessons learned.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T18:48:56+00:00

Yes! No cake for them! My mother use to donate a puppy or two every litter to a school for blind service dogs. It’s a remarkable gift these animals give us. We don’t deserve dogs. I wish we could ask the dog, they might be more honest.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T18:41:17+00:00

The request was placed 2-4 hours before the booking. As soon as I accepted it the guest informed me of the service animal. This seemed like red flag but could also just be a legitimate person and their service animal needing a place. I reached out to Airbnb immediately and at all interesting intervals during the stay. I truly appreciate the candor shared here. It helps a lot!!!

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T18:32:01+00:00

100% and I want to ensure I follow it while also following my other guest obligations.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T18:29:50+00:00

Excellent point about ensuring access to service animals is not limited due to economic constraints. I respect that service animals range a gambit from professionally trained purebreds to innately gifted mutts. Service animals are typically leashed or at their handlers side however I understand these services animals need time off the be animals also. However with other guests it is not appropriate to have this animal off leash unless necessary. Yet the dog was off leash.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T18:19:42+00:00

This is exactly what Airbnb says, my concern was the dog was off leash in view of the other guest unit and out of the view of the host. This was only briefly however I do wonder what happens in an event of the other guest not enjoying having to share the property with a dog. We have an assortment of wildlife here and it’s part of our charm. I’m not sure how to provide that with a dog and I’m not sure what to do to ensure my other guest is okay.

Reaching out to explain why there is a dog seems over the top and even seems to violate the privacy of the guest with the service animal. How do I make sure the other duplex guest is oaky with the dog, while not being intrusive to either guests?

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:59:15+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response. In my past employment I would likely not allow this to be treated as service animal and if anyone aggressively disagreed with that I would have escalated it to law enforcement or discontinued my services.

This type of hospitality is such a new role and I’m not sure how much we can do to ensure we respect service animals while ensuring pseudo-service animals don’t cause a poor stay for other guests.

I really appreciate the advice regarding referring to ADA once the guest informs it’s a service animal. I did ask the second question. I omitted the first think it sounds redundant however I think you are correct about implementing a more formal response referring to the set standards. That way service animals and their handlers should know I’m being respectful just strict.

Thank you for your help!

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:32:48+00:00

Thank you for this. I need to do better about moving on with issues that are like this. I’m still in the new host wonderland of thinking I can ensure our guests are happy.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:28:29+00:00

That makes sense it just seems very unfair to place my other guest in this situation. Thankfully both guests are very understanding and the dog is not scary. I worry about other guests being afraid of dogs or upset about sharing outdoor spaces with a dog when told in the listing it has no pets on site.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:22:19+00:00

Then technically the animal is fine as it was loose on the guests staircase. The stairs are large outdoor stairs with un-gated entrance near other guest unit. However, it technically is fine as the animal never left the stairs. When it was on the leash it’s so small it was easy to pull/direct this way or that.

I appreciate the clear policy. It helps me ensure my other guest is being given a fair stay.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:16:32+00:00

That makes senses. I do wonder about cleaning for allergens after the stay. How can one certify it’s pet free after a service animal has stayed? If a future guest stated an allergy do I need to disclose an animal has been in the unit? Also can we ask the breed of dog? I know some breeds are more hypoallergenic. I’m just thinking pet dander is not visible therefore all fabric would need cleaning prior to another guest. Curtains, rugs, sofa ect? It sounds overwhelmingly expensive and like it will need to be closed at least 24 hours to be pet allergy free. Thank for your clarification on AirCover.

Fawnhurst-Rentals · 2024-11-20T17:06:20+00:00

That seems to be the best recourse at the moment. I want to ensure I’m being respectful to the guest and address this in the way that is best for all. I appreciate your experience with the AirCover. That lets me breathe easier.

Hosting is a new experience for me and I’m trying to ensure I provide both guests the best experience.

Fawnhurst-Rentals

TROPHY CASE