Experience: my Airbnb guests threw a New Year party for 300 people

[demmiblue]

"What’s the worst that can happen?” I thought when I put my house on Airbnb. While I didn’t have a warm feeling about strangers sleeping in my bed, I was intrigued by the idea. I was recently divorced and I bought my home, with three bedrooms and views of New York’s Hudson River, at the end of 2016. It represented a new chapter for me. Its contemporary architecture isn’t for everyone, but I was seeking to simplify my life. My two teenage boys stay with me half the time.

Last December, I put the house on Airbnb and rented it four or five times. The listing explicitly said no parties. Then a request came through to book the house for one night on New Year’s Day. It was from a young man, probably in his early 20s. He had one review but it was terrific. He told me he owned a small record label and wanted to use the house to get some Instagram shots. I’d had a model with the same request before, so it wasn’t unusual.

The night before the booking, on New Year’s Eve, two couples with infants had stayed and I spent three hours with a cleaning crew to get the place ready – changing sheets, cleaning the hot tub on the roof. By the end, the house was pristine. The guest arrived at 3pm and was respectful. He said there might be a couple of people coming over, but that was it. I picked up my boys and we stayed down the road at my mother’s apartment.

I went to work the next morning, and around noon, which was checkout time, I texted the guy to say I was heading over. As I approached, I noticed his car wasn’t in the driveway. Then I saw that he’d texted to say he’d woken up late and could I give him half an hour. So I went and bought a sandwich. When I got back I saw three or four cars in the driveway. I threw my food down and knew I was screwed.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/dec/28/experience-my-airbnb-guests-threw-a-party-for-300-people?CMP=twt_gu

[cp]

1. Airbnb still profits, homeowner takes all risk

Why we're not in favor of unregulated short-term rentals.
The Neighbors

[Demovictory9]

2. interesting. At least the perps tried to clean

Inside there were about 12 young adults, all trying to clean. The floors looked like someone had poured Jägermeister and champagne everywhere and then danced on them. Everything seemed wrong: my artwork was not on the walls; there was furniture missing; the glass panel on my staircase was shattered; even the floor didn’t seem level any more. Then I noticed they were using my best sheets and towels as mops.

Without raising my voice, I pointed to the guy I’d rented to and gestured for him to walk over to me. I felt like a father about to lecture his son: “What the fuck? What did you do?” He was remorseful and said things had got out of control. I asked how many people had been there and he said, “20, 25.” I wasn’t buying it.

I didn’t know what to do next. I told them no one was leaving and I called the police and Airbnb. When a police officer turned up, he said it was a civil matter, before adding: “We were here last night.” I couldn’t believe no one had contacted me. One of the neighbours said they thought it was my kids and they didn’t want to get them into trouble. I lectured all the kids and had some call their parents. Ultimately, it was just stuff and I knew it would be OK. But I felt a massive disappointment in humanity.

[Demovictory9]

3. single young man rents a big house for new year's eve. Owner was stupid to think

young guy was going to kick back alone, in his fancy house.

[3Hotdogs]

4. When tenants did $19,800 of damage to my mother's house,

the insurance company paid to have the property restored.

Then, they sued the tenant. The asshole lost his job when the insurance company got a judgement and followed through with garnishment of his wages.

I hope the same happened with your AbnB "guest" and his "justa couple'a friends" over.