Post by High Priestess on May 27, 2016 5:45:18 GMT
Sky shared on Anecdotes Jan 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-100586
The lingering smell of Korea
Just had a long time guest of about 5 months check out. He was a nice guy, a student and like family while staying with us. However , he cooked allot of his native meals which smelled and tasted wonderful but the stench won't go away and every room in the house now smells like an Asian restaurant. I've started to paint the rooms to make it go away because air freshener and carpet cleaner do nothing. I suspect I will have to remove the carpet. Funny thing, he asked for his deposit back after moving out and left boxes of trash, personal items, and didn't even wash a sheet, towel or make his bed prior to checkout. We are still throwing out stuff from that room and in addition to trying to remove to strong smell of curry and spices from the house he also broke my garbage disposal from stuffing everything from potatoes to cabbages inside of it. I've told him that I will have estimates done this week to repair or replace and hoping he will pay what he can to help rectify the situation but not so optimistic since he's flown back to his native country.
I was only sharing my most recent guest experience but I guess I would ask you hosts what types of deposits would you consider fair to rent a Master bedroom and private bath for an extended stay? And this was a non airbnb guest but from now on I think I will require all guests to book online even if its only the first or last half of their stay to 1. Ensure I can write a review of them and 2. Get reimbursed properly for damages. I only required a $150 deposit from him but all the laundry, carpet cleaning, stench if curry throughout the house and broken garbage disposal adds up to a few hundred dollars. Suggestions? Sincerely....the lingering smell of Korea
8 comments
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Cecilia
Ceciliaa year ago
Maybe you should say kitchen unavailable for use by guests!
Reply Like 2 likes
Christina
Christinaa year ago
I notice that I always have to open all the windows to air the room out after each stay, but I do mostly short term. One long term guest I had was delightful but she made the inside of the microwave look like garbage because she never cleaned it during her stay. You can limit the kitchen use, but I find weekly cleaning by the host is a must for even long term because they don't do a good job and the place suffers. I don't know if you can charge more for the damages. It's kind of wear and tear. If you let guests use the kitchen, you have to use the exhaust fan, open windows and wipe down after each use. Make that a condition. And never give a deposit back until you have inspected tbe place. It should be left "broom clean."
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Sky
Skya year ago
Definitely. I have pisyef House Rules in the front and back of the house next yo guests doors. I also have kitchen etiquette posted on the frig to no avail. Yes. I may have to ban kitchen use. Yes. I've had to open windows behind evety gut guest for sure. They really keep this tooms ysty and trashed. I've been contemplating for monthsto prohibit male guests for this reason but they are my biggest cli.ents. And no, I've already informed the last guest that he would not receive a refund of his deposit and that I'd appreciate reimbursement for the carpet cleaning, painting and garbage disposal. ]
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
I don't do long term rentals. And my kitchen is not available to guests for cooking. If you decide to use AIRBNB for bookings, you can list clear house rules for taking care if your space that will become part of your contract with guests.
And something to consider - - - while I feel your frustration with the state in which the place was left, the phrase "the stench of Korea" might be considered offensive by some.
Reply Like 1 reply•5 likes
Sookyoung
Sookyounga year ago
As a Korean, I am feeling very offensive.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Oh, and for deposit ideas, may I suggest looking at listings that include kitchen use to see what they are asking.
Reply Like
Leah
Leaha year ago
As a regular landlady, and in terms of security deposits, you have to factor in wear and tear for long term tenants. The disposal (depreciated value) is what I would try to recover in the deposit. In terms of carpet, I would have charged it to be steam cleaned as well as any furniture.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Nicole
Nicolea year ago
I agree. A deposit equal to one months rent is pretty standard in my area. When we leased a private residence I listed all the items that needed to be cleaned to get the deposit back. This included steam cleaning the carpets, cleaning oven and microwave, working light bulbs in all the fixtures, at least 25% propane left in the tank. The cost charged to the deposit for each of these items was also listed. In this case I would keep for the cost of the garbage disposal and carpet cleaning as well. In my area I legally must present a recipt to the tenants for anything I am keeping from the deposit.
Deborah
Deboraha year ago
This is an example of why I cannot understand those hosts who only take a small deposit, like $100 or $150. That amount really will only cover damaged linens. Admittedly damaged linens is one of the more common problems, but as you have found out, some guests damage carpets, and they are not cheap to replace!
Also, didn't you notice while he was there, the lingering smell of the cooking? Seems to me that if every house in your room now smells like an Asian restaurant, that this must have been happening through the stay, and you would have noticed it...unless, was he in a whole separate apartment?. I didn't check if you were renting out just a room or if he was renting out the whole apartment, but I suggest that if folks are renting a whole apartment from you, that you find a way to enter the place during their stay from time to time to check on things. Put a plant in the place that has to be watered every 2 weeks and say you will be coming in every 2 weeks. Or say you will have to come in and change furnace filter or check the smoke detectors regularly. Just have some reason to come in and check, at least every month, and this will help you catch problem issues in time.
Reply Like 4 replies•2 likes
Sky
Skya year ago
Hi. I have 3 homes and I rent out rooms in all and only one I rent out the entire home therefore u cannot oversee all my guests actions as often as I'd like. Many I never see at all. They book online and I make arrangements for them to get and return keys and when I'm available I go check in with them or send my boyfriend or a hired agent. The guest in question I did personally inform him several times about the smell but by the time I entered the space he had been there two months or more and the smell was overpowering then. Since he received several warnings and windows and doors were opened but it was too late. Now the smell is throughout the house and we are trying to remedy before our nextnext
Sky
Skya year ago
guests check in.
Sky
Skya year ago
Though I agree larger deposits are to my advantage and I've already increased them, as a seasoned landlord i the reality is most people renting rooms are on fixed budgets which don't allow for (phone number hidden) deposits. However on my remodeled house I do have a $1000 deposit and have increased my room deposits to $300-$500 each. I will test this over the next weeks/months and see if I still get ad many inquiries and bookings as I did with the lower deposits. Again out of 3 homes I rent either 6 rooms or 4 rooms and 1 entire 2 bedroom house and they are in different states so I can't offer the onsite hosts experience as most can thus why I ensure each home and room are fully equipped to meet guests needs. I'll post again on this matter if the former guests decides or not to provide financial restitution.
Salvia
Salviaa year ago
Hhm, than hosting via airbnb could have the advantage for guests that the deposit is not actually charged but held as a claim on the Credit card. But to actually charge it requires to follow the process of proof and given timeline. And to proof "smell damage" could be difficult.
Kelly
Kellya year ago
Being a nice person and a person who can follow standard roommate manners with standard cleanness are two very different things.
Here is something I can share with you : Korean hosts don't like to host Korean guests.
Reply Like
Sky
Skya year ago
Now I know. He was very nice and quiet but kept the room extremely messy, dirty, never wsdhef linens in 6 months they are so dingy had to remove altogether, always left the kitchen messy, good left tepestecly in drains, rotting food left in trash cans, backing JP my garbage disposal constantly, rotting food in the frig and never swept or mopped the kitchen or bath once. The tub and sink in his private bath were gray. Again, I dont prefer male guests in general because I dont find them clean and females tend not to follow through and repeatedly try yo talk down your price to insulting rates but I do keep my placed rented and turned down about 10 or more since Christmas just to keep my place empty while doing renovations.
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leaha year ago
Ew, then that is straight up neglect
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-100586
The lingering smell of Korea
Just had a long time guest of about 5 months check out. He was a nice guy, a student and like family while staying with us. However , he cooked allot of his native meals which smelled and tasted wonderful but the stench won't go away and every room in the house now smells like an Asian restaurant. I've started to paint the rooms to make it go away because air freshener and carpet cleaner do nothing. I suspect I will have to remove the carpet. Funny thing, he asked for his deposit back after moving out and left boxes of trash, personal items, and didn't even wash a sheet, towel or make his bed prior to checkout. We are still throwing out stuff from that room and in addition to trying to remove to strong smell of curry and spices from the house he also broke my garbage disposal from stuffing everything from potatoes to cabbages inside of it. I've told him that I will have estimates done this week to repair or replace and hoping he will pay what he can to help rectify the situation but not so optimistic since he's flown back to his native country.
I was only sharing my most recent guest experience but I guess I would ask you hosts what types of deposits would you consider fair to rent a Master bedroom and private bath for an extended stay? And this was a non airbnb guest but from now on I think I will require all guests to book online even if its only the first or last half of their stay to 1. Ensure I can write a review of them and 2. Get reimbursed properly for damages. I only required a $150 deposit from him but all the laundry, carpet cleaning, stench if curry throughout the house and broken garbage disposal adds up to a few hundred dollars. Suggestions? Sincerely....the lingering smell of Korea
8 comments
Following
Like
Cecilia
Ceciliaa year ago
Maybe you should say kitchen unavailable for use by guests!
Reply Like 2 likes
Christina
Christinaa year ago
I notice that I always have to open all the windows to air the room out after each stay, but I do mostly short term. One long term guest I had was delightful but she made the inside of the microwave look like garbage because she never cleaned it during her stay. You can limit the kitchen use, but I find weekly cleaning by the host is a must for even long term because they don't do a good job and the place suffers. I don't know if you can charge more for the damages. It's kind of wear and tear. If you let guests use the kitchen, you have to use the exhaust fan, open windows and wipe down after each use. Make that a condition. And never give a deposit back until you have inspected tbe place. It should be left "broom clean."
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Sky
Skya year ago
Definitely. I have pisyef House Rules in the front and back of the house next yo guests doors. I also have kitchen etiquette posted on the frig to no avail. Yes. I may have to ban kitchen use. Yes. I've had to open windows behind evety gut guest for sure. They really keep this tooms ysty and trashed. I've been contemplating for monthsto prohibit male guests for this reason but they are my biggest cli.ents. And no, I've already informed the last guest that he would not receive a refund of his deposit and that I'd appreciate reimbursement for the carpet cleaning, painting and garbage disposal. ]
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
I don't do long term rentals. And my kitchen is not available to guests for cooking. If you decide to use AIRBNB for bookings, you can list clear house rules for taking care if your space that will become part of your contract with guests.
And something to consider - - - while I feel your frustration with the state in which the place was left, the phrase "the stench of Korea" might be considered offensive by some.
Reply Like 1 reply•5 likes
Sookyoung
Sookyounga year ago
As a Korean, I am feeling very offensive.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Oh, and for deposit ideas, may I suggest looking at listings that include kitchen use to see what they are asking.
Reply Like
Leah
Leaha year ago
As a regular landlady, and in terms of security deposits, you have to factor in wear and tear for long term tenants. The disposal (depreciated value) is what I would try to recover in the deposit. In terms of carpet, I would have charged it to be steam cleaned as well as any furniture.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Nicole
Nicolea year ago
I agree. A deposit equal to one months rent is pretty standard in my area. When we leased a private residence I listed all the items that needed to be cleaned to get the deposit back. This included steam cleaning the carpets, cleaning oven and microwave, working light bulbs in all the fixtures, at least 25% propane left in the tank. The cost charged to the deposit for each of these items was also listed. In this case I would keep for the cost of the garbage disposal and carpet cleaning as well. In my area I legally must present a recipt to the tenants for anything I am keeping from the deposit.
Deborah
Deboraha year ago
This is an example of why I cannot understand those hosts who only take a small deposit, like $100 or $150. That amount really will only cover damaged linens. Admittedly damaged linens is one of the more common problems, but as you have found out, some guests damage carpets, and they are not cheap to replace!
Also, didn't you notice while he was there, the lingering smell of the cooking? Seems to me that if every house in your room now smells like an Asian restaurant, that this must have been happening through the stay, and you would have noticed it...unless, was he in a whole separate apartment?. I didn't check if you were renting out just a room or if he was renting out the whole apartment, but I suggest that if folks are renting a whole apartment from you, that you find a way to enter the place during their stay from time to time to check on things. Put a plant in the place that has to be watered every 2 weeks and say you will be coming in every 2 weeks. Or say you will have to come in and change furnace filter or check the smoke detectors regularly. Just have some reason to come in and check, at least every month, and this will help you catch problem issues in time.
Reply Like 4 replies•2 likes
Sky
Skya year ago
Hi. I have 3 homes and I rent out rooms in all and only one I rent out the entire home therefore u cannot oversee all my guests actions as often as I'd like. Many I never see at all. They book online and I make arrangements for them to get and return keys and when I'm available I go check in with them or send my boyfriend or a hired agent. The guest in question I did personally inform him several times about the smell but by the time I entered the space he had been there two months or more and the smell was overpowering then. Since he received several warnings and windows and doors were opened but it was too late. Now the smell is throughout the house and we are trying to remedy before our nextnext
Sky
Skya year ago
guests check in.
Sky
Skya year ago
Though I agree larger deposits are to my advantage and I've already increased them, as a seasoned landlord i the reality is most people renting rooms are on fixed budgets which don't allow for (phone number hidden) deposits. However on my remodeled house I do have a $1000 deposit and have increased my room deposits to $300-$500 each. I will test this over the next weeks/months and see if I still get ad many inquiries and bookings as I did with the lower deposits. Again out of 3 homes I rent either 6 rooms or 4 rooms and 1 entire 2 bedroom house and they are in different states so I can't offer the onsite hosts experience as most can thus why I ensure each home and room are fully equipped to meet guests needs. I'll post again on this matter if the former guests decides or not to provide financial restitution.
Salvia
Salviaa year ago
Hhm, than hosting via airbnb could have the advantage for guests that the deposit is not actually charged but held as a claim on the Credit card. But to actually charge it requires to follow the process of proof and given timeline. And to proof "smell damage" could be difficult.
Kelly
Kellya year ago
Being a nice person and a person who can follow standard roommate manners with standard cleanness are two very different things.
Here is something I can share with you : Korean hosts don't like to host Korean guests.
Reply Like
Sky
Skya year ago
Now I know. He was very nice and quiet but kept the room extremely messy, dirty, never wsdhef linens in 6 months they are so dingy had to remove altogether, always left the kitchen messy, good left tepestecly in drains, rotting food left in trash cans, backing JP my garbage disposal constantly, rotting food in the frig and never swept or mopped the kitchen or bath once. The tub and sink in his private bath were gray. Again, I dont prefer male guests in general because I dont find them clean and females tend not to follow through and repeatedly try yo talk down your price to insulting rates but I do keep my placed rented and turned down about 10 or more since Christmas just to keep my place empty while doing renovations.
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leaha year ago
Ew, then that is straight up neglect
Deborah