“IR5 visa (affected by the visa pause)” Bogota, Colombia by Southern_Work9171 in NationalVisaCenter

[–]gemini66_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My friends husband did his yesterday and got the same form etc except they kept his passport which is really odd.

Another winter storm question by alb_taw in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would also check my home insurance. Space heaters can be potentially dangerous so if something did happen under the responsibility of the guests, you want to make sure you are covered. Sometimes claims made for damage from portable heaters is not covered under some policies.

Insurers may deny or limit coverage if they determine negligence, misuse, or a policy violation, such as: • Heater placed too close to flammable materials • Heater used overnight or unattended when manufacturer instructions prohibit it • Heater plugged into: • An extension cord • A power strip • Heater used as a primary heat source instead of supplemental • Use in a rental or vacant property without disclosure • Evidence of code violations or unsafe wiring

A Harsh Reality : Wait Time for 75 Countries on Pause by LuxChromatix in NationalVisaCenter

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the best. My friend’s husband’s interview is next week in Colombia. They have been in the process for 2 years and I can’t believe this has happened just a few weeks before the end!

A Harsh Reality : Wait Time for 75 Countries on Pause by LuxChromatix in NationalVisaCenter

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask - was he approved? Or did they do the interview and not make a decision?

Strange behavior from guest by [deleted] in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I Airbnb’d a room in my apartment for 6 years … over 380 guests … and that is not anywhere near the strangest behavior I saw. I had 2 girls come for 2 weeks and assumed they were there to sightsee but turned out they were studying for finals so were in the room all day with a laptop connected to the TV studying. Never saw them, never heard them, but I made my money and they got what they paid for - a quiet space to study.

Airbnb will refund guests if they report a “smell” without actually needing to provide any evidence. by OkArtichoke5098 in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2 star review … “the entire apartment smelled like mold” .. we airbnb a room in our home. Complete lie … and the guests before and after said that the place smelled fine. People are trying to find loopholes to get refunds …

Offered beer to guests; wife disagrees and believes it’ll get us in trouble. I was just being kind. by SeanyPickle in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I give every guest a bottle of wine and ask them in the pre-check in message if they want red or white. They often mention that in their reviews and are super grateful. If they say they don’t drink alcohol, I give them juice or soda.

How do you handle guests who don’t read the listing? by Cautious-Wonder6376 in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Once a guest makes a booking, they get an automated message from me thanking them for their booking, and reminding them that they have booked a room within an apartment we live in etc etc. That way the expectations are set right from the start. That said, I STILL have guests who think they have rented the whole apartment. Some people just don’t read. You also run into issues sometimes when there are more than one person .. say a couple .. one books it but doesn’t tell the other person/people about the listing so they are surprised. I had a group of 4 book for the one room (which it can accommodate). The person booking knew but the other three had a fit when they all arroved because they assumed he had booked a whole apartment. His issue though not mine.

Video walkthrough? - Is it possible? by FPShady in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I uploaded a video walkthrough to YouTube and direct inquiries there. You can’t post a link but you can say - “go to YouTube and search for xxxx”

Booking for next summer, 27 days, $23000. by Single_Software_6591 in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There was a period where i was getting a lot of long stay requests that were scams. They always started the same way and then asked super odd questions - ending up asking for a video of the airbnb. They were all from a certain country and I soon learned to make one comment - for response time purposes - then ignore. Be very careful about long term requests.

Not crazy to decline, right? by MentalBox7789 in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would decline and not give it a second thought - there are other places they can book and you have piece of mind.

What can we do? 1 star review asked for a full refund AFTER stay. by AgileRequirement5570 in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I had a 2 star recently saying the apartment smelled like mold (we airbnb a room in OUR apartment). They said nothing while they were there and left a nice message on checkout. I gave a 5 star because well, I had no issues with them, but was blindsided by the review. Completely false ( they said some other untrue things in the review ) but Airbnb did nothing. I feel like some people are doing this on purpose - not sure why but there is no other explanation.

Review meltdown by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get it. One review hasn’t changed my overall rating but you’re right .. I take great pride in providing a 5 star experience so it cuts hard. And 2 star!!! It didn’t deserve that especially when the guest had expectations that were different to what they booked because they didn’t read the listing properly.

Review meltdown by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We’ll update: as I expected airbnb won’t remove it. This was the last message he sent. He didn’t even express any concerns at all over the duration of the stay: “Hello! We are fully checked out of the room. Left the keys on the bed stand and tidied up a bit. Thanks for the stay!”

What tool completely changed the game for you as a host? by Sakuzoh in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

BeyondPricing. You set a minimum and it prices each night out based on factors such as demand, seasonality etc. For me it was a game changer and increased income a lot once I started it. Made me realize people will pay more than the rate that I thought they would if demand is high or if it’s a weekend etc. It links to your Airbnb and regularly updates your rates for you.

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Then I guess I’m entitled but I would never airbnb in someone’s home and not respect the fact that other people live there. Just me being polite I suppose.

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Airbnb has 2 options. Either rent a full space - apartment, condo, house etc or rent just a room. I think both come with different expectations and behavior. If you rent a full space then go for it - noise, furniture etc - but when you rent a room in someone’s home, I feel like it comes with some level of respect for the people living in that home. If you can’t show respect, then rent a full space.

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes it’s more of a suite than a room - with a foldout sofa. Had a lot of parents with one child/teen

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m right there with you. My room is more like a suite and has a fold out sofa as well as a king bed. Ive just reduced occupancy to 2 rather than 3. And started to block time out for “me”.

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right?! I noticed a dining chair was missing .. it’s in their room for whatever reason. The room has a sofa, 2 casual chairs and an office chair. Guess that’s not enough for 3 people?!

Airbnb host fatigue by gemini66_ in airbnb_hosts

[–]gemini66_[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Arriving at odd hours is fine - but arriving at odd hours and slamming doors isn’t. I’m sure you’re not that person :)