Vetting Airbnb guests on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo might not be in everyone’s booking approval process, but there are some in the industry who believe it is one of the most important steps!
In this post, we’re going to dive into the nitty-gritty of Airbnb guest screening to understand why some hosts do it, why some don’t, and what the potential benefits are!
What Does Vetting Airbnb Guests Entail?
Vetting guests is simply the process that some hosts opt to undertake before confirming a booking from a potential guest. This process could include anything from reading the potential guests’ host reviews, checking their account is ID verified, or looking them up on social media.
Some hosts go the extra mile and also run background checks. To us, this seems excessive, but it is completely up to the property host to decide what they need to feel comfortable confirming a booking with a potential guest.
Why Do Some Hosts Choose to Vet Their Potential Guests?
Some hosts choose to vet their potential guests to mitigate as much risk as possible in the rental scenario. Guests with excellent reviews and who have verified their profile with a government-issued identification document are less likely to cause extensive damage or throw illegal house parties.
If a guest has bad intentions, like using your property in some sort of crime, hosting an illegal rave, or deliberately causing damage, they won’t verify their account with an official ID. If they did, they could be easily tracked and prosecuted or banned, according to the severity of their actions.
For a lot of hosts, agreeing to rent their home to a guest is a very personal process. Your home is a reflection of yourself and allowing strangers in it can be difficult at first. As time goes on, hosts become more comfortable with taking the risk of letting people into their property.
Vetting Airbnb guests is a way to make hosts feel more comfortable and mitigate some of the potential risks. The vetting process can lower host anxiety and the potential for damage claims or loss of income due to property inoperability.
Here’s a great video from Hilde Homes explaining how and why they choose to vet their guests!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QsRNXFNRgY
How Do I Conduct an Airbnb Guest Screening?
The process itself can be as simple as not enabling Instant Book and reading through their platform profile for any potential issues. According to Logify, “Airbnb has approved background check providers for US-based users to help identify past criminal conduct.” So, if you feel that it is necessary, you can run a background check on a person before you agree to let your property to them.
Check out their profile – Before accepting a booking, make sure you look at the potential guest’s profile. Check to see if their account is verified, when they joined, and how many trips they have made. Don’t forget to read how fellow hosts have rated them.
Ask questions – There is nothing wrong with asking your potential guests a few questions before you approve their booking request. Of course, asking questions that are too intrusive will scare guests away, so be careful not to overstep the mark.
Things that you can ask include the purpose of travel, the number of people in the traveling party, and whether the guests are local or not. A good guide for the questions you can and can’t ask is deciding whether you would be happy to answer them should another host ask you the same questions.
Check out their social media – While we don’t necessarily recommend this one, some hosts like to view their potential guests’ social media to ascertain if they display any problematic tendencies or views. This practice could also alert hosts to the potential party risk.
Prepare a short-term rental agreement – If you want an added layer of assurance, prepare a vacation rental agreement that will act as a contract between you and your guests. It also means you’re covered legally if something goes wrong as it protects you from injury, death, and theft claims.
You should also get vacation rental insurance, just while we’re on the topic! You might also want to consider charging a security deposit to protect yourself and your property.
Is Guest Screening Enough to Protect My Vacation Rental?
Everything in life comes with risk. In all honesty, there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of your property being damaged by guests. The steps we’ve listed above are simple ways to mitigate the risk as much as possible.
There’s one thing that hosts can do if their potential guest is not verified on the rental platform. Just ask said guests to load their government-issued ID. Just explain that it is your policy to only rent to verified profiles. Then the ball is in their court. If they decide not to verify their profile, then you probably dodged a bullet.
How Else Can I Protect My Listing?
Detailed House Rules
Clearly outline your house rules in your listing description. Be specific about policies regarding parties, smoking, pets, noise levels, and any other relevant guidelines. This helps set expectations and encourages responsible behavior.
Security Deposit
Require a security deposit from guests to cover any potential damages or violations of your house rules. This acts as a deterrent for bad behavior and provides you with financial protection.
Instant Booking Settings
If you’re concerned about certain guests, consider adjusting your booking settings to require pre-approval before confirming a reservation. This gives you more control over who stays in your property.
Communication
Maintain open and transparent communication with your guests. Address their questions and concerns promptly and professionally. This can help prevent misunderstandings and encourage respectful behavior.
Keyless Entry Systems
Consider installing a keyless entry system that provides guests with a unique code for the duration of their stay. This eliminates the need for physical keys and allows you to easily change access codes between guests.
Check-In Instructions
Provide clear and detailed check-in instructions to guests. This helps them settle in without issues and reduces the likelihood of accidental damage due to confusion.
Property Walkthroughs
If possible, consider meeting guests in person for a quick walkthrough of the property upon check-in. This allows you to highlight any specific instructions or features and establish a personal connection.
Guest Reviews and Ratings
Encourage your guests to leave reviews and ratings after their stay. This not only helps other hosts make informed decisions about potential guests but also allows you to evaluate the behavior of your guests.
Neighborhood Information
Provide guests with information about the local neighborhood, including nearby attractions and amenities. This can encourage them to treat the property and the community with respect.
Insurance
Invest in short-term rental insurance or consult your homeowner’s insurance provider to ensure you’re adequately covered for potential damages or liability arising from your rental activities.
Emergency Contacts
Provide guests with emergency contact information in case they encounter any issues during their stay. This helps you address problems promptly and shows your commitment to their safety and comfort.
Regular Inspections
If feasible, conduct regular inspections of your property between stays to identify any potential maintenance or damage issues early on.
Local Regulations
Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations related to short-term rentals. Adhering to these regulations can help you avoid legal issues and maintain a positive hosting reputation.
Remember, while these strategies can help mitigate risks, no approach can guarantee complete protection. Being vigilant, maintaining clear communication, and promptly addressing any issues that arise are key to successful short-term hosting.
How Can DPGO Help?
The basis of every successful vacation rental listing is optimized pricing and we at DPGO can help you with that! With our cutting-edge dynamic pricing engine, we’ll have your occupancy rates sky-high. Plus, you’ll be able to use all of the guest-vetting tips we just taught you! Yay!
We offer a range of features to help your pricing go from good to great in just a few steps. DPGO users orchestrate their entire approach to pricing via the DPGO Performance Dashboard. We see this as your control panel to make sure every aspect of your vacation rental business is optimized and ready for your Airbnb guests.
While the guest vetting process is important, guest screening cannot be the be-all and end-all of your vacation rental operations. Proper guest screening and intelligent guest screening allow you to weed out troublesome guests.
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