Quick Navigation
- Why You Should Screen Airbnb Guests
- Safety and Security of Your Property and Belongings
- To Prevent Damage to Your Airbnb Property
- To Maintain a Positive Experience for Future Guests
- Avoid Unexpected Disruptions or Problems During Their Stay
- Confirm the Guests’ Ability to Meet the Property’s Requirements
- Facilitate Clear Communication and Expectations Between You and the Guest
- To Comply With Airbnb’s Host Policies and Community Standards
- Top Questions to Ask Your Airbnb Guests
- Ask the Right Questions to Screen Airbnb Guests
Asking your guests the right questions is essential to mitigating potential risks.
Otherwise, you might experience significant accidents, such as allowing guests allergic to pet hair in a room beaming with pet dander. Similarly, you might unknowingly allow criminals on your property.
In this article, you will find the most practical questions to ask your Airbnb guests. I use them to streamline communication and eliminate potential threats to safety and security.
You will also learn the significance of the questions and how to ask them.
Why You Should Screen Airbnb Guests
First, let’s discuss why it’s essential to screen your guests using the right questions.
Safety and Security of Your Property and Belongings
The internet is a hotbed of scammers, and Airbnb is no exception. The most reported Airbnb scams include multiple listings, doctored images, illegal listings, and fake reviews.
Also, beware of hosting criminals, rogue students, or underage parties.
Discourage potential offenders by asking questions such as “Are you planning to bring any additional guests during your stay?” or “Can you provide a government-issued ID or passport for verification purposes?”
To Prevent Damage to Your Airbnb Property
It is not wrong to be concerned about how guests use the resources you’ve given them. Not everyone is as careful as you are with your property.
Accepting that accidents can happen during a guest’s stay is also important.
Prevent damage to your Airbnb property by asking, “Can you confirm that you understand that you will be held responsible for any property damage during your stay?”
To Maintain a Positive Experience for Future Guests
Asking your guests questions reduces friction and ensures a seamless transition between visitors.
It gives you enough time to clean and organize the room quickly and efficiently without undermining the quality of experience for the next guests.
Imagine new guests arriving early and finding the Airbnb rental smelling tobacco or dog shit. The previous visitor just smoked inside the room, or their dog messed up, and you missed it.
Questions for guests are essential for maintaining a positive experience for future guests. Ask them, “Do you plan on smoking inside the property?” or “Are you traveling with any pets?”
Avoid Unexpected Disruptions or Problems During Their Stay
Unexpected disruptions might occur, which might require your guests to present their identification details.
Asking them to bring along their registration documents in compliance with local authority regulations can help restore tranquility without escalating a problem.
To avoid unexpected disruptions during your guest’s stay, ask them practical questions before they book your property.
For example, “What are your estimated arrival and departure times?” or “Do you have any special requests or needs during your stay?”
Confirm the Guests’ Ability to Meet the Property’s Requirements
Airbnb questions for guests are also essential to confirm their ability to meet your property requirements.
I always want to know if the guest is responsible before allowing them into my Airbnb vacation rentals. You can decline a booking request if you notice any red flags.
Questions that will help you confirm your guests’ ability to meet the property’s requirements include, “Are you at least 18 years old?” and “Will you comply with the property’s rules and regulations about the number of guests and pet policy during your stay?”
Facilitate Clear Communication and Expectations Between You and the Guest
Questions are excellent clarifiers. We are encouraged daily to ask questions to extract buried clues. The right questions will facilitate clear communication and expectations between you and the guest.
A great question would be, “Are you familiar with the neighborhood?.”
Asking directional and situational questions can even eliminate the need for your physical presence. In other words, you must not be around for the booking, cleaning, and monitoring processes to be efficient.
To Comply With Airbnb’s Host Policies and Community Standards
Airbnb specifies policies and community standards that every host must practice. They can guide you in developing practical Airbnb questions to ask your guests.
For example, you may ask the guest if they or anyone they bring along has a criminal record.
You should also ask your guests questions that encourage them to ask questions. For example, “Do you have any questions about the local area?”
Top Questions to Ask Your Airbnb Guests
There are several questions to ask guests before they book a room, but the questions will be unique to your visitors.
For instance, what you’ll ask a new Airbnb guest with no profile picture and reviews differs from what you’ll ask a regular Airbnb guest.
Here are the questions I ask my guests before booking to streamline our engagement:
Airbnb Questions To Ask Guests | Purpose of the Question | |
1 | Have you used Airbnb before? | To know the right questions to ask. |
2 | When are you planning to check in? | to confirm the schedule before their arrival. |
3 | Can you provide a government-issued ID or passport for verification purposes? | Safety and security of your property and belongings. |
4 | How many guests will be staying? | To confirm the number of guests. |
5 | Do you have any special requests? | To accommodate their needs. |
6 | What brings you to town? | To provide relevant recommendations. |
7 | What brought you to my listing? | Understand their needs and preferences, and provide better hospitality. |
8 | Will you need parking? | To make arrangements if necessary. |
9 | What time do you plan to check out? | To coordinate check-out procedures. |
10 | Do you have any questions about the property? | To provide information and clarify any concerns. |
11 | Are you familiar with the neighborhood? | To provide a brief overview and highlight nearby amenities. |
12 | Do you have any allergies or special needs we should be aware of? | To ensure a safe and comfortable stay.
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13 | Do you have any specific preferences for bedding or pillows? | To provide a comfortable sleeping experience. |
14 | Do you have any plans to use the kitchen? | To confirm availability and provide necessary supplies. |
15 |
Do you have any plans for transportation during your stay? |
To provide recommendations and offer necessary options.
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16 | Do you have any pets traveling with you? | It helps you determine if your property is a suitable match for their needs. |
17 | Do you have any allergies we should be aware of? | To make sure they have a comfortable and safe stay. |
18 | Would you like to request any extra cleaning or laundry services during your stay? | Helps tailor your hospitality to their Individual requirements. |
19 | Is there anything else you’d like to know before you arrive? | To provide information and answer any questions. |
Ask the Right Questions to Screen Airbnb Guests
Stop saying “I should have asked” when the damage is already done. Screen your guests with questions such as “Have you used Airbnb before?,” or “Do you have a past criminal record?”
You should also ask if they are familiar with the neighborhood, offer them a brief overview, and highlight nearby amenities.
These questions will ensure the safety and security of the property, maintain a positive experience for future guests, and avoid unexpected disruptions.
Most importantly, they will ensure your compliance with Airbnb’s policies and community standards.
Which questions do you ask your guests, and how do they work for you? Share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.