Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 16%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$39 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 3 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

1,091
Posts
957
Votes
John Carbone
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Gatlinburg
957
Votes |
1,091
Posts

Can someone squat in a STR?

John Carbone
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Gatlinburg
Posted

Has anyone had someone refuse to leave after their stay and or attempt to live in the STR indefinitely?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

9,999
Posts
18,565
Votes
Joe Splitrock
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Sioux Falls, SD
18,565
Votes |
9,999
Posts
Joe Splitrock
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Sioux Falls, SD
ModeratorReplied

As @John Underwood said, someone can squat in any property. The only difference in a short term rental versus long term rental may be the laws governing how you deal with it. I most states if the stay is less than a month, they are not considered a tenant, therefore do not have tenant rights. This means you may not need to evict, but rather could have them removed for trespassing. I would call the police if they remained past check out time. My property is registered as a short term rental in my city and I would have the reservation in my app to show police as proof they are guest, not a tenant. Where this gets muddy is if the guest is staying more than a month. We have anyone staying longer than a month go through credit/background check and sign a lease. In that situation we would evict them if they stayed in the property, but it is very unlikely since we are credit screening.

When we started out in our STR, we had a lower nightly rate as a way to fill vacancies and get reviews. Once we had good reviews and superhost status, we raised rates. I can absolutely say that higher rates gives you better clientele. I have never had a squatter. Keep in mind that booking requires a credit card with a limit to support the length of stay. AirBNB does not accept prepaid credit cards, which means guests need an actual credit card. There are secured credit cards for people with bad credit, but those generally have very low limits (my wife works at the countries largest sub prime credit card issuer). Of course a squatter could be someone with good credit, but it is very unlikely. The type of person who squats is generally financially irresponsible, so very unlikely to have a credit card with a higher limit. Minimum nights can also play into this, because it means a higher credit card reservation amount. It is fair to say that higher nightly rates makes it less likely you will have a squatter.

Charging back fraudulently will result in your card being closed. Credit card companies will investigate this through their fraud department. So if you are running scams like this, it will catch up with you quickly.

  • Joe Splitrock
  • Loading replies...