15 Things Guests Do That Airbnb Hosts Absolutely Hate
Airbnb started in 2007 and now has more than five million hosts who’ve checked in over two billion guests. For hosts, it isn’t just a key exchange. A kitchen left in chaos can eat up hours of work. A bad stay can leave thousands in repair bills. In rare cases, a rental has even been trashed so badly it needed a $26,000 cleanup after being used as a meth lab. Beyond the money, the daily frustrations wear people down. Here are the behaviors that drive hosts over the edge.
Disregarding House Rules
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House rules explain how to use a property and keep both the host and the guest safe. When guests ignore them, like by smoking inside, breaking appliances, or moving furniture, it costs a lot of time and money to repair or replace things. Adhering to these rules will simplify your stay and prevent excessive strain on the host’s resources.
Treating Minor Issues as Emergencies
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Most hosts can’t offer service on demand 24/7. They don’t like having to deal with small problems right away, like changing the thermostat or finding the Wi-Fi password. The hosting agreement says that response times should be reasonable, but constant urgent requests put too much pressure on independent hosts.
Leaving Excessive Mess
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Hosts or hired services usually clean the Airbnbs because they don’t have 24/7 on-site staff like hotels do. When guests leave behind dirty dishes and food waste, it adds hours of work and costs more. Guests who clean up after themselves help keep the property ready for the next guest.
Arriving Outside Scheduled Times
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The times for checking in and out are set so that the staff have time to clean and get ready for the next guests. Arriving early without notifying anyone or leaving after the designated checkout hours disrupts this schedule. It could also make future bookings take longer.
Sneaking in Extra Guests
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The number of registered guests affects the cost of utilities, cleaning, and insurance, which is why bookings are based on that number. Bringing more people puts more stress on the property and can lead to liability issues. Following the rules about how many people can stay in a home protects the property and ensures that the host has a fair experience.
Expecting Hotel-Style Service
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Airbnbs are private homes, not hotels with daily cleaning or room service. Expecting turndown service, stocked minibars, or staff to always be available is not the right attitude. Guests who understand this difference help keep the balance between personalized hosting and realistic service standards.
Ignoring Arrival Instructions
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Most hosts give clear instructions on how to check in, park, and get to the property. Guests who don’t follow these instructions often cause problems and delays that don’t need to happen. Reading the information carefully helps avoid misunderstandings and makes sure that the stay starts off on the right foot.
Leaving Unwanted Items Behind
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Sometimes, guests leave things behind that hosts don’t want to deal with, like used personal items. These things need to be cleaned more, which could cause the next booking to take longer. Properly getting rid of trash keeps the area clean and respectful, and it avoids problems.
Making Excessive or Unreasonable Requests
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Some requests, like moving things around in the house or expecting equipment that wasn’t listed in the property description, go beyond what is reasonable. These kinds of requests make the host’s job harder and often need resources that aren’t available.
Overusing Utilities
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Keeping the heat, air conditioning, or water on all the time while you’re there costs money and wastes energy. Using too many utilities not only puts stress on the property, but it also raises the host’s operating expenses.
Bringing Pets Without Permission
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There are good reasons why many Airbnb hosts have clear rules about pets. Animals can cause allergies, damage things, or make messes that need a lot of cleaning. Letting hosts know about pets ahead of time lets them get ready, but not following pet rules can cause problems with both logistics and money.
Treating the Property as Disposable
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When guests treat an Airbnb as if it were a temporary or replaceable space, they often cause damage to furniture and décor. This attitude disregards the fact that the property is a personal home or investment.
Ignoring Noise Considerations
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One of the quickest ways to hurt a host’s reputation or put their rental permit at risk is to get noise complaints from neighbors. Excessive music, late-night parties, or yelling in shared spaces can unnecessarily cause stress. Guests who don’t make too much noise help keep the host’s relationship with the community strong.
Expecting the Property to Match Their Own Home
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The location and culture of the host are all shown through each property. Disappointment and unnecessary complaints happen when you expect it to look or work exactly like a guest’s home. Accepting differences, like how kitchens are set up or where power outlets are, makes travel less frustrating and more enjoyable.
Leaving Negative Reviews After Breaking Rules
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Reviews have a direct effect on a host’s ability to get more guests in the future. When guests violate the rules or cause damage to property, they often leave negative reviews to avoid taking responsibility, which can lead to unfairness. Malicious reviews can undermine the system’s credibility.