Post by High Priestess on Feb 22, 2016 4:41:48 GMT
Cassandra shared Feb 21 2016 on New Hosts Forum
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-209570
After prom group at my home...how to say no
Hi, All.
I just received a rental inquiry for Memorial Day weekend, and the request was worded: "How old do you require renters to be?" I looked at the person's profile and her wish list is called "Cape after Prom." While I'm not against responsible people in their 20's renting from me, I suspect this will be a group of 18 year olds, and that they'll be loud, perhaps even reckless. I'd fear for their safety and for the condition of my home after a post-prom weekend (I've raised three kids...).
How, tactfully, to say "no thank you" to this inquiry? I don't think there's a policy in my listing that prevents it, but I can add one...can't I? Does Airbnb have an over-21 policy for renting? Can't seem to locate such a phrase.
Thank you in advance for your helpful responses
Cassandra
7 comments
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C C
C C3 hours ago
Just say no.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Cassandra
Cassandra2 hours ago
I like the economy of that word. Just a little worried I might catch some (ageist) backlash. Not okay to say I prefer renters over 21 even if I don't have a written note on it?
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C C
C C2 hours ago
It's perfectly ok to decline anyone at anytime for any reason. May have to say you're expecting some unicorns or something (make something up) at times to avoid discrimination, but still: decline.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Hi, CC. It's done...Appreciate your feedback. It's good training for life in general.
Andrew
Andrewan hour ago
Airbnb's policy is that you must be at least 18 to have a profile. This guest might be ok from their end, but it's certainly not on yours.
As CC says, there's no need to justify your choice to decline, and it's often better if you don't. For politeness' sake you could say: "Thank you for your interest; unfortunately I'm not able to accommodate your request at this time."
Once you've responded to the message and hit Decline, you've fulfilled your obligations - no need to respond to any follow-up questions or clarify any further.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Thank you, too, Andrew. I'll do that. I didn't realize my rights were as you describe, given the 18 year old minimum.
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Thank you, C C. I'll do that
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
C C
C Can hour ago
You're welcome
Captain Eddie
Captain Eddie24 minutes ago
I would just tell them that you have an over 21 policy.
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Deborah
Deborahin a few seconds
I wouldn't state that you have an over 21 policy, since that could turn out to be a case of age discrimination. A person who is 18 is a legal adult and in the USA the Federal Fair Housing Act bars making discriminatory statements based on protected categories or certain qualities such as age. For that reason I think it's best if hosts never state why they are declining someone, just to be safe.
See this thread in our new forum site, about discrimination:
globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/1005/disability-discrimination
Any host may decline any guest for any reason, at any time. At the same time, it is generally best to NOT tell the guest the reason you are declining them. THere are several ways you can politely decline, such as:
(1)" I'm sorry but it turns out the space is not available -- I wish you the best in finding a nice place" (in fact, this is very true -- the space is available for OTHERS but it is not available for this particular guest -- please do not worry about "what if the guest sees my calendar is open?" -- you are under no obligation to defend yourself or the state of your calendar to anyone, and if someone thinks they can get invited to your home by arguing with you, they are mistaken)
(2) "I dont' think this is a good match, but I wish you the best in finding a nice place."
(3) "THanks for your interest, but I'm going to decline/say no." and then just decline the inquiry.
A lot of new hosts misunderstand how this process works and believe they need to explain themselves to anyone they decline. You need do no such thing, and believe me, if you had experience renting out property and were getting 15 dorky responses a day from a Craigslist ad, you would soon learn that you really don't owe an explanation or even a response to everyone.
And hosts do not need any policy to decline anyone -- just be confident of your rights in this department and polite to those who contact you, and you'll do fine.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Deborah
Deborahin a few seconds
globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/1005/disability-discrimination
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-209570
After prom group at my home...how to say no
Hi, All.
I just received a rental inquiry for Memorial Day weekend, and the request was worded: "How old do you require renters to be?" I looked at the person's profile and her wish list is called "Cape after Prom." While I'm not against responsible people in their 20's renting from me, I suspect this will be a group of 18 year olds, and that they'll be loud, perhaps even reckless. I'd fear for their safety and for the condition of my home after a post-prom weekend (I've raised three kids...).
How, tactfully, to say "no thank you" to this inquiry? I don't think there's a policy in my listing that prevents it, but I can add one...can't I? Does Airbnb have an over-21 policy for renting? Can't seem to locate such a phrase.
Thank you in advance for your helpful responses
Cassandra
7 comments
Following
Like
Delete
Hide
C C
C C3 hours ago
Just say no.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Cassandra
Cassandra2 hours ago
I like the economy of that word. Just a little worried I might catch some (ageist) backlash. Not okay to say I prefer renters over 21 even if I don't have a written note on it?
Reply Like Delete
C C
C C2 hours ago
It's perfectly ok to decline anyone at anytime for any reason. May have to say you're expecting some unicorns or something (make something up) at times to avoid discrimination, but still: decline.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Hi, CC. It's done...Appreciate your feedback. It's good training for life in general.
Andrew
Andrewan hour ago
Airbnb's policy is that you must be at least 18 to have a profile. This guest might be ok from their end, but it's certainly not on yours.
As CC says, there's no need to justify your choice to decline, and it's often better if you don't. For politeness' sake you could say: "Thank you for your interest; unfortunately I'm not able to accommodate your request at this time."
Once you've responded to the message and hit Decline, you've fulfilled your obligations - no need to respond to any follow-up questions or clarify any further.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Thank you, too, Andrew. I'll do that. I didn't realize my rights were as you describe, given the 18 year old minimum.
Cassandra
Cassandraan hour ago
Thank you, C C. I'll do that
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
C C
C Can hour ago
You're welcome
Captain Eddie
Captain Eddie24 minutes ago
I would just tell them that you have an over 21 policy.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborahin a few seconds
I wouldn't state that you have an over 21 policy, since that could turn out to be a case of age discrimination. A person who is 18 is a legal adult and in the USA the Federal Fair Housing Act bars making discriminatory statements based on protected categories or certain qualities such as age. For that reason I think it's best if hosts never state why they are declining someone, just to be safe.
See this thread in our new forum site, about discrimination:
globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/1005/disability-discrimination
Any host may decline any guest for any reason, at any time. At the same time, it is generally best to NOT tell the guest the reason you are declining them. THere are several ways you can politely decline, such as:
(1)" I'm sorry but it turns out the space is not available -- I wish you the best in finding a nice place" (in fact, this is very true -- the space is available for OTHERS but it is not available for this particular guest -- please do not worry about "what if the guest sees my calendar is open?" -- you are under no obligation to defend yourself or the state of your calendar to anyone, and if someone thinks they can get invited to your home by arguing with you, they are mistaken)
(2) "I dont' think this is a good match, but I wish you the best in finding a nice place."
(3) "THanks for your interest, but I'm going to decline/say no." and then just decline the inquiry.
A lot of new hosts misunderstand how this process works and believe they need to explain themselves to anyone they decline. You need do no such thing, and believe me, if you had experience renting out property and were getting 15 dorky responses a day from a Craigslist ad, you would soon learn that you really don't owe an explanation or even a response to everyone.
And hosts do not need any policy to decline anyone -- just be confident of your rights in this department and polite to those who contact you, and you'll do fine.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Deborah
Deborahin a few seconds
globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/1005/disability-discrimination