Post by High Priestess on May 30, 2016 6:45:24 GMT
Bridget shared on NHF Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102097
Bridgeta year ago
The rule is there are no rules- a story
I had put in the house rules section that we were flexible and didn't like rules but mutual respect was important ... MISTAKE ! I was contacted by a sex worker who wanted to rent out our private wing for a month ! I've changed the wording a bit now . Personally I pride myself on being non judgemental , unfortunately I can't say the same for my neighbours if I was to accept such a booking ha ha. !
12 comments•8 likes
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Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I'm glad you found out quickly why EVERYONE needs house rules, even the most laid back, non-judgmental, flexible, tolerant, non-likers of rules! Sometimes people think those with a lot of rules are rigid and prudish, but the reality is, those who have good strong sets of rules are imaginative and insightful. THey have the capacity to imagine what might happen before it does happen, and so they can be proactive to help prevent problems from happening.
Reply Like 4 likes Delete
Glenn
Glenna year ago
House Rules are a good thing. They establish your expectations as a host and provide boundaries for guests. This is especially important when you are hosting a Private Room listing because you are essentially taking on a short term roommate.
Consider the perspective of the guest. How are they to know what is okay and what is not if you say nothing? Guests are already venturing into foreign territory (your house) and along with finding the bathroom and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed they must also ask questions about what is acceptable or go about their business and hear afterwards that you didn't feel comfortable with something you assumed they knew already.
What if the guest goes out one night and meets someone and wants to bring them home? Is this okay or not? Are you the type of host who doesn't care if someone returns to your home at 4am or not? What about alcohol?
As you can see there are lots of things to consider. In reading your listing, yes mutual respect is important but accuracy is key. Accuracy establishes the foundation of who you are as a host and helps the guest determine if what your listing has to offer is in line with what they are looking for in terms of an experience.
Accuracy is first in the list of hosting standards because it is arguably the most important of all nine. Rules are not judgemental, but humans are. Make this uncomfortable reality easier by being honest and forthcoming about your expectations and guests will reward you for it again and again.
Further Reading:
More about House Rules - www.airbnb.com/help/article/472
Hosting Standards - www.airbnb.com/help/topic/206
Accuracy Standard - www.airbnb.com/help/article/576
Reply Liked 6 likes Delete
Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Ohmigosh Bridget! How did that come up?
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Fiona , she enquired about accomodation through the normal route ... Quite openly and honestly
Karla
Karlaa year ago
I recently read about someone making a reservation for a 3rd party. When the host called the number listed in the reservation, it was for an escort service booking prostitutes. I can't believe that it never occurred to me that this could happen. I'm 46 and still things surprise me! lol We've got to be so careful and use our gut when screening guests. I've gotta say, at least she asked! lol Then you were able to say no....sorry.
Reply Like 2 replies•1 like Delete
Glenn
Glenna year ago
Do we know that question was asked? My first thought reading the post was that this was volunteered information.
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Absolutely volunteered information ... Good on her I say , I just can't accommodate her ...
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Forgive my ignorance but is sex trade legal where you live? If so, it's reasonable for someone to be looking for a place to conduct business and commendable for her to be up front about it!
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Sheryl, yes it would be ! I agree with you. My response to her was along those lines ! Unfortunately it is illegal here in Australia . My story was to emphasise my naivety in not placing house rules as Glen describes above ... ( thanks G) And I guess I wasted her time too ! I have no issues with registered sex workers !
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Danny
Dannya year ago
Her work would take up a whole WING?
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
haha!
Glenn
Glenna year ago
They have a lot of luggage and some exercise equipment. It's in the second message that the possibility of an "adult entertainment film" comes up. They're starving students just doing a few pickup scenes for their entry in the "San Fernando Valley Exotic Film Festival." It's very prestigious.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Bridget, you handled that well. Now, get to work on those house rules!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Hey Sheryl ! are you watching me ? Ha ha ! How on earth did you know I was procrastinating over them !! Spooky ! I hate rules ! Thanks for the push .... I'll just hang the washing out and then .... Xx :-)
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
U r too funny! Don't think of them as rules. Just make a list of, say, 5 things that are really important to you.
Deborah has previously suggested even noting the reason. E.g., to keep my carpet clean, I don't want street shoes in the house. This boils down to the simple rule, "No shoes." See how easy that was!
It's even easier if you look at other hosts rules for ideas.
Reply Like Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Right ! I've made a start ! But they have featured in the guest manual for some reason
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Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Sorted now ! Thank you for your help everyone ... Cheers Sheryl !
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102097
Bridgeta year ago
The rule is there are no rules- a story
I had put in the house rules section that we were flexible and didn't like rules but mutual respect was important ... MISTAKE ! I was contacted by a sex worker who wanted to rent out our private wing for a month ! I've changed the wording a bit now . Personally I pride myself on being non judgemental , unfortunately I can't say the same for my neighbours if I was to accept such a booking ha ha. !
12 comments•8 likes
Following
Like
Tracy
Helen
Nic and Rach
Carolyn
Regina
+3
more
Delete
Hide
Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I'm glad you found out quickly why EVERYONE needs house rules, even the most laid back, non-judgmental, flexible, tolerant, non-likers of rules! Sometimes people think those with a lot of rules are rigid and prudish, but the reality is, those who have good strong sets of rules are imaginative and insightful. THey have the capacity to imagine what might happen before it does happen, and so they can be proactive to help prevent problems from happening.
Reply Like 4 likes Delete
Glenn
Glenna year ago
House Rules are a good thing. They establish your expectations as a host and provide boundaries for guests. This is especially important when you are hosting a Private Room listing because you are essentially taking on a short term roommate.
Consider the perspective of the guest. How are they to know what is okay and what is not if you say nothing? Guests are already venturing into foreign territory (your house) and along with finding the bathroom and sleeping in an unfamiliar bed they must also ask questions about what is acceptable or go about their business and hear afterwards that you didn't feel comfortable with something you assumed they knew already.
What if the guest goes out one night and meets someone and wants to bring them home? Is this okay or not? Are you the type of host who doesn't care if someone returns to your home at 4am or not? What about alcohol?
As you can see there are lots of things to consider. In reading your listing, yes mutual respect is important but accuracy is key. Accuracy establishes the foundation of who you are as a host and helps the guest determine if what your listing has to offer is in line with what they are looking for in terms of an experience.
Accuracy is first in the list of hosting standards because it is arguably the most important of all nine. Rules are not judgemental, but humans are. Make this uncomfortable reality easier by being honest and forthcoming about your expectations and guests will reward you for it again and again.
Further Reading:
More about House Rules - www.airbnb.com/help/article/472
Hosting Standards - www.airbnb.com/help/topic/206
Accuracy Standard - www.airbnb.com/help/article/576
Reply Liked 6 likes Delete
Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Ohmigosh Bridget! How did that come up?
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Fiona , she enquired about accomodation through the normal route ... Quite openly and honestly
Karla
Karlaa year ago
I recently read about someone making a reservation for a 3rd party. When the host called the number listed in the reservation, it was for an escort service booking prostitutes. I can't believe that it never occurred to me that this could happen. I'm 46 and still things surprise me! lol We've got to be so careful and use our gut when screening guests. I've gotta say, at least she asked! lol Then you were able to say no....sorry.
Reply Like 2 replies•1 like Delete
Glenn
Glenna year ago
Do we know that question was asked? My first thought reading the post was that this was volunteered information.
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Absolutely volunteered information ... Good on her I say , I just can't accommodate her ...
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Forgive my ignorance but is sex trade legal where you live? If so, it's reasonable for someone to be looking for a place to conduct business and commendable for her to be up front about it!
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Sheryl, yes it would be ! I agree with you. My response to her was along those lines ! Unfortunately it is illegal here in Australia . My story was to emphasise my naivety in not placing house rules as Glen describes above ... ( thanks G) And I guess I wasted her time too ! I have no issues with registered sex workers !
Reply Like Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Her work would take up a whole WING?
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Erica year ago
haha!
Glenn
Glenna year ago
They have a lot of luggage and some exercise equipment. It's in the second message that the possibility of an "adult entertainment film" comes up. They're starving students just doing a few pickup scenes for their entry in the "San Fernando Valley Exotic Film Festival." It's very prestigious.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Bridget, you handled that well. Now, get to work on those house rules!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Hey Sheryl ! are you watching me ? Ha ha ! How on earth did you know I was procrastinating over them !! Spooky ! I hate rules ! Thanks for the push .... I'll just hang the washing out and then .... Xx :-)
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
U r too funny! Don't think of them as rules. Just make a list of, say, 5 things that are really important to you.
Deborah has previously suggested even noting the reason. E.g., to keep my carpet clean, I don't want street shoes in the house. This boils down to the simple rule, "No shoes." See how easy that was!
It's even easier if you look at other hosts rules for ideas.
Reply Like Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Right ! I've made a start ! But they have featured in the guest manual for some reason
Reply Like Delete
Bridget
Bridgeta year ago
Sorted now ! Thank you for your help everyone ... Cheers Sheryl !
Reply Like Delete
Deborah