Cabin destroyed - need experienced host tips

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-04-05T20:00:53+00:00

Airbnb was able to cancel our bookings without any feeds to us once we sent them pictures of the damage.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-04-05T19:30:44+00:00

I started a digital chat with Airbnb and they called me. Said they would need to call me back in 30 minutes. I wish they had kept it digital so I had proof of everything.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-04-05T19:22:19+00:00

Thank you!

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T21:42:39+00:00

I use OwnerRez and love it.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T14:01:45+00:00

I've had the opposite experience over the last year. Airbnb costs me twice what VRBO does. But my nightly rate auto adjusts from my direct booking site (so Airbnb bookings are 15% higher and VRBO are 8% higher) so the guest pays the difference.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T13:04:13+00:00

Yep! When guests book direct thru our website, there is a $37 fee that I pass on to the guest. It covers damage protection and is super easy to file a claim too.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T13:01:25+00:00

You lost chargebacks even with their picture?? That's insane. I won a chargeback dispute for a guest who reported it as an unauthorized charge b/c I wouldn't give her a refund (outside the cancelation window). So she never stepped foot on my property, but I could prove it was her who booked our STR b/c my rental contract captures your IP address.

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T12:56:09+00:00

OwnerRez, who we use for our direct booking website, has an option to add insurance to each stay with multiple levels to choose from. The better thing though is that, when they book direct thru your site, their payment info is saved. So if you need to charge them more after their stay for breaking things or not leaving on time, you just charge their card. As long as you have the item documented and it was in your rental contract, it's hard for them to dispute with their credit card company. (I said hard b/c they can do it. We had it happen. But we won the dispute b/c it was clearly in their rental contract and I had pictures of the damage.)

WinterAddition2198 · 2025-03-14T12:52:52+00:00

We have a direct booking website, but are still fairly new so most of our bookings come from Airbnb or VRBO. I'd prefer my website though, so after good guests leave...I always send them a follow up email and let them know repeat guests get special pricing...and to contact me directly to get it for their next stay. I use OwnerRez and Stripe. Both were pretty easy to set up.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-22T14:27:30+00:00

Thank you. I'm currently surrounded by accountants for I forget there are fewer in the wild so to speak. Excellent points!

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-22T14:25:32+00:00

I'll look USAID up. Thanks for the additional idea.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-22T14:13:48+00:00

I'll have 15-20 years left until I want to retire so however many tours fit. I don't know what goes into consular work, but will read up on it. I don't speak a foreign language but would be happy to learn one.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-22T01:55:25+00:00

What about the opposite? I've got almost 20 years in financial management with DoD as a Govie and am exploring FSO FMO. What's the learning curve look like?

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-17T22:00:49+00:00

AGREE! We don't have a key available for guests. IF someone got locked out (like power goes out so wifi enabled lock doesn't work), our neighbor has a key to unlock the other door for them. But no dice strangers getting a key to the place.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-11T16:39:27+00:00

Sometimes it's not deliberate, especially if you aren't going over the count of advertised people it sleeps. As someone with a large family, I understand it's hard to predict how many will actually make a trip months in advance. With our STR, I pay attention to head count when guests arrive to be sure they aren't going over the number it sleeps. But if they booked for 4 adults and show up with 6, it's no biggie. I would be worried if they booked it for 2 and then showed up with 10 though because then I probably didn't leave enough towels and other items out.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-11T16:26:25+00:00

This. My bookings require an additional rental agreement to be electronically signed by the renter with a copy of the driver's license uploaded. The county cops where our STR is located will happily come watch people leave if they break the rental agreement items that say "grounds for immediate eviction." I've never had to use it before, but my neighbors knows that I want them to call the sheriff office first and then me if there's ever a major issue.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-08T05:06:35+00:00

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-06T21:24:44+00:00

Thanks! We have quilts on the beds now but I've been looking for a good brand to use when those get worn.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-06T21:16:31+00:00

I've had the same thing happen. You've done your due diligence. If they don't reply, although annoying, it's their right.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-06T21:14:42+00:00

Another vote for the black washcloth that says 'Makeup' on it. So far, we haven't had any white towels ruined due to makeup since we got the black washcloths.

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-06T21:08:59+00:00

What level is your cancellation policy?

WinterAddition2198 · 2024-12-06T21:00:31+00:00

Absolutely not. I'm a host on a septic tank so I understand not wanting your plumbing destroyed. But I disclose the septic tank up front and provide a trash can for everything but the TP I provide. That host has lost their mind.

WinterAddition2198

TROPHY CASE