|
|
Post by High Priestess on Nov 14, 2016 3:48:50 GMT
Deborah, what's your understanding about checking off that box saying: Not suitable/safe for children/infants? I'm talking about an entire unit here. I was wondering if that's the same as not accepting children, which is against FHA laws. I think it should be different, but who knows? Well if you check off "not suitable/safe for children" it comes out saying "MAY not be suitable/safe for children" on your listing. So that's a little bit tempered. I can't say if stating that is legal or not. I would tend to think it's legal because it's not saying "no" and it's not indicating a preference. But, Just because Airbnb allows hosts to check this box, doesn't mean it's legal to state that in one's listing. And if you say "MAY not be suitable"...that's not going to stop those from inquiring or booking who dont' really care what is suitable for you, or your place....they just want what they want. |
|
|
|
Post by Maria Lurdes (Milu) on Nov 14, 2016 12:58:31 GMT
Saying NO to "suitable for infants" just means that someone can't IB if they include infants in the request (free infants). It just forces guests to communicate with you first, to ask "hey, I know you don't want infants, but mine are special snowflakes so can we book" at which point you can say oops, dates are not available, house has termites, there's an alligator loose in the house, etc. Any excuse to not accept infants rather than saying you will not accept infants.
|
|
|
|
Post by cc on Nov 14, 2016 16:17:27 GMT
I stop just short of saying there's an alligator loose in the house--but I like it. 🐊
|
|
|
|
Post by helgaparis on Nov 19, 2016 19:12:09 GMT
Now babies don't pay, but you can add a fee in the house rules and collect it via resolution center, which is already an improvement. Pets as well.
I wonder if you could say you want an extra caution if you let the snowflakes come after stating the house is not kid-proof.
I used to explain that I have lots of books in low shelves (less so now) and art works everywhere. Parents are liable to watch the kids and avoid damage. That discouraged some and the rest avoided damage. Adding an extra caution for exceptional use should be possible. You could make a seperate contract for a film shooting with extra damage deposit, so why not for kids or pets? Set it high enough and it should repeal most.
I did not get that mail yet, but it looks like 3 free IB cancellations are back and uncondionally too?
|
|
|
|
Post by rhonda on Dec 9, 2016 1:19:58 GMT
Today's update, and another HOORAY for Airbnb:
Instant booking comes in today for one night stand, cheapie room, xmas eve. Whatevers.
Then I read her introduction:
"Hi we are a German couple and travel with our 5 month old son (he sleeps in our bed). We are looking forward to spend Christmas at your place."
Here's my response:
"I am sorry, but my listing clearly states the property is inappropriate for any children under the age of 12; as well as there is a maximum of two guests per room.
Thus, I cannot accept your reservation.
I am currently on the phone with airbnb to help you with this cancellation.
With much aloha,
And best wishes for finding appropriate accommodations for your special Hawaiian holiday.
Airbnb backed me up 100%.
All was stated in the listing prior to her Instant Book.
Received an email from Airbnb the GUEST had cancelled, and since I have a strict cancellation policy, I get paid 50% for taking my time for her not reading the listing.
Another thumbs up for Airbnb!
|
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Dec 9, 2016 16:58:58 GMT
Really glad to hear the good outcome to that case, Rhonda -- it all went perfectly, as it should have. You weren't required to accept someone who was going to violate your house rules --- you weren't required to be the one to cancel the reservation -- and, best of all, you did get paid the 50% of the reservation cost according to the cancellation policy!
I have a feeling that in the future, AIrbnb may change its cancellation policy so that people who book stupidly/accidentally like this, will be able to get a full refund if they back out within 24 hrs...as long as their booking is a certain amount of time into the future. But at present, that isn't the policy and so guests lose out and pay a fine if they are ditzy and don't read. Which is as it should be.
|
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Jun 9, 2017 0:23:01 GMT
Do any of you hosts out there have stories of being forced to take infants against your will? Based on the fact that Airbnb is telling guests that "infants are not counted as guests and come for free"? This in spite of the fact that Airbnb Terms of Service clearly state that the HOST, not AIRBNB, runs their listing, and thus Airbnb has no business dictating to the host about their charges to guests. www.airbnb.com/help/article/433/can-children-travel-on-airbnb Infantus Invasionaris?  I comin' for free so git outta my way! Not kiddeeen! |
|
|
|
Post by rhonda on Jun 11, 2017 0:54:58 GMT
This old post had caught my eye, and while I was updating my information provided to guests with confirmed reservations (such as the correct gate code.....grrr...luckily I received cell phone call and all was resolved immediately), and went through the listings as best as I could, time allowing......I removed every reference from "Guests" to "Persons".
That ought to cover that.
What did the rest of you hosts do, or what was your choice of clarification when the home is totally NOT suitable for persons under 12 years of age?
|
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Jun 11, 2017 3:29:40 GMT
Well as I see it, Airbnb is either inadvertently or perhaps intentionally exploiting/manipulating what amounts to a serious dilemma for all property owners -- and putting us into an intolerable Catch 22 situation...
Namely, that if property owners say that our place is not suitable for children/infants, or that we don't accept children/infants, we risk being accused of "discrimination" over familial status -- which is illegal in many places. Mind you in many places it's not illegal to not take children or infants, but it's illegal to make statements saying you wont' take them.
But if we do NOT say these things, Airbnb, through their very misguided and inappropriate policy,wants to force infants on us. The only way, apparently, to NOT have infants forced upon us by Airbnb is to make the very statements about unsuitability for children/infants which if stated could result in our being sued for discrimination. Airbnb will make exceptions in the infants stay free policy if the host has language in their listing that indicates infants can't come. But if they have such language in their listing they can be in trouble with their government.
So it's a bad Catch 22 situation.
I think it's worth changing "guests" to "persons" and for bedrooms in one's home, limiting occupancy of one's room to 2, if not one person. Since it's more common for a couple to bring a child or infant with them than for a single parent traveling alone to bring an infant or child, this can help avert this problem -- you just don't take 3 people in one room.
The other way to deal with this problem which I advise for all those who accept more than one person per room (this by the way for those open to it is I think the best solution -- since a child or infant can't themselves book a room, and since third party bookings aren't allowed, if you allow only one person per room then it logically follows you will never get a person bringing an infant) is to always ask for the names and ages of EVERY person who will be coming into your home -- you may even state, for clarity, "including infants and toddlers." And to state as well that those hosts who don't provide info about who will be coming, cannot bring persons into your home who have not been declared in advance.
And then for those who declare they are bringing an infant or toddler, if you dont' want an infant or toddler, you decline them right there, on the basis that their needs don't fit what you are offering. But just best to avoid making a direct statement about declining on the basis of the infant.
|
|
