Asking for IDs for all renters per stay.....good or bad?

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Asking for IDs for all renters per stay.....good or bad?

Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes

We have an STR beach home in South Padre Island. We recently had a large group; larger than what was allowed, stay at our home and their behavior was unacceptable. We found out that one of the kids mother's rented the house and was never on site. It was a bunch of young, underage kids, doing dangerous things.
Question for everyone: we use VRBO. How do you handle preventing this? We have changed our language to state the the person renting must be at least 25 and MUST be present during the entire stay. We would like to request ID's before renting for everyone staying....just a thought. Is anyone doing this? We have a local manager that can check ID's upon arrival. What are your thoughts? Any advice would be appreciated.

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John UnderwoodPro Member

Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes

This is overkill. I have cameras to keep this from happening or stop it if it does start to happen.

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Sebastien Long
Property Manager · Houston, TX · Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 2 votes
2y
I highly recommend checking and verifying IDs. We use Autohost to automate this process via an online check-in system: https://www.autohost.ai/
You can also use it to gather additional information and place a hold on their credit card, similar to a hotel.
The one downside of Autohost, is that it doesn't have an automated way to collect the ID for all the adult guests (although it collects names + email from the guest).
Finally, Autohost can also be used to have the guests sign your rental agreement and agree to your house rules.
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Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
2y
I guess it depends upon where your vacation rental is. If it's in Fort Lauderdale, I can see going to some lengths to check and confirm IDs. In the Smokies, I'm not worried about it.
[email protected]806-672-7102
SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
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Henry T.
Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y
Some scoff at this, I dont care, but like a hotel, nobody gets in without ID
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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
2y
This is overkill. I have cameras to keep this from happening or stop it if it does start to happen.
5 Reply
Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
2y
Quote from @John Underwood:

This is overkill. I have cameras to keep this from happening or stop it if it does start to happen.
I was at the grocery the other day and wrote a check. They wouldn’t accept it because my drivers license was expired. 🤣
[email protected]806-672-7102
SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
2y
Don't rent to anyone under 30. Check IDs for everyone....
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Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
2y
We have the following rules:
- 25+ to rent, and if there are anyone under 25 there must be someone 35+ on site during stay. This cuts down on a 25 year old bringing a bunch of 21/22 year olds. Exceptions sometimes made for our studio and 1br units on extended stays.
- Reservation holder must be on site during stay. Exceptions made for business travelers and reservation made by assistance.
- Full guest list required for each stay. This includes all people staying and any applicable daytime visitors. Headcount can never exceed property max occupancy.
- ID and photo of Credit Card collected for each payment. This is not applicable to sites like airbnb that collect and remit payment to us.
We have had an INSANE amount of fraud in the last 6 months. People getting CC numbers from dark web and booking through our site or another platform. They were using one house to sell drugs. Usually a short amount time after check out we get a chargeback from the real cardholder. Collecting ID and CC pic has eliminated UNTIL now we realized some scammers had used AI to generate the CC info onto a generic CC pic and also used AI to generate an ID. Luckily it is easy to spot under some scrutiny.
Most people here just use Airbnb and VRBO and they collect and remit the payments for you so you are protected, but something to consider watching out for.
[email protected]813-563-0877
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Todd Goedeke
Contractor · Sheboygan, WI · Member since 2016 · 917 posts · 266 votes
2y
@Henry T.there are no hotels that check the ID of every person checking in. Also, you don t need an ID to visit someone at the hotel.
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Henry T.
Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Todd Goedeke:

@Henry T.there are no hotels that check the ID of every person checking in. Also, you don t need an ID to visit someone at the hotel.

Hey, thanks for setting me straight. You should at least have the ID of the person booking.
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Shannon Green
OP
Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes
2y
Quote from @Sebastien Long:

I highly recommend checking and verifying IDs. We use Autohost to automate this process via an online check-in system: https://www.autohost.ai/
You can also use it to gather additional information and place a hold on their credit card, similar to a hotel.
The one downside of Autohost, is that it doesn't have an automated way to collect the ID for all the adult guests (although it collects names + email from the guest).
Finally, Autohost can also be used to have the guests sign your rental agreement and agree to your house rules.

Thanks for your response. I'll definitely look into Autohost.
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Shannon Green
OP
Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes
2y
Quote from @Collin Hays:

I guess it depends upon where your vacation rental is. If it's in Fort Lauderdale, I can see going to some lengths to check and confirm IDs. In the Smokies, I'm not worried about it.

It's in South Padre and depending on time of year, it's important to vet them out.
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Shannon Green
OP
Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes
2y
Quote from @John Underwood:

This is overkill. I have cameras to keep this from happening or stop it if it does start to happen.

We are going to install cameras, but I don't have time watch the cameras all day, so they will be more for monitoring and for evidence, if I need it. Unfortunately the activity that went on that we were informed about happened very late at night and thank goodness my neighbors took pictures and sent them to me. Thanks for you feedback.
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Shannon Green
OP
Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes
2y
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Don't rent to anyone under 30. Check IDs for everyone....

We are working on a vetting process now.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
2y
Send the mom a bill for all the trouble. Damage, excessive noise and $100 per head over max occupancy.
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Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y
If you're using a PMS you must also use a guest verification software..like Autohost. We require IDs for all bookings outside of Airbnb. The latter already gathers ID verification so there's no point taking the time for Airbnb bookings. I believe VRBO does as well, but once the listing is connected to a PMS everything changes and you have to supply your own payment processing and guest verification.

And of course, there should be an age limit to who can book, and the pricing should be high enough that parties move on to other properties that are less expensive. It would also be a good idea to check into a noise monitor like Minut.
[email protected]330-557-3021
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Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Shannon Green:

Quote from @John Underwood:

This is overkill. I have cameras to keep this from happening or stop it if it does start to happen.

We are going to install cameras, but I don't have time watch the cameras all day, so they will be more for monitoring and for evidence, if I need it. Unfortunately the activity that went on that we were informed about happened very late at night and thank goodness my neighbors took pictures and sent them to me. Thanks for you feedback.
Make sure cameras are in line with the OTA policies. A ring camera pointed at the driveway is an excellent way to keep an eye on things. You don't need to watch them all day, and frankly as a host you shouldn't be. So long as the activated motion notification is on, your phone dings every time the camera senses movement.
[email protected]330-557-3021
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Shannon Green
OP
Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 13 votes
2y
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

If you're using a PMS you must also use a guest verification software..like Autohost. We require IDs for all bookings outside of Airbnb. The latter already gathers ID verification so there's no point taking the time for Airbnb bookings. I believe VRBO does as well, but once the listing is connected to a PMS everything changes and you have to supply your own payment processing and guest verification.

And of course, there should be an age limit to who can book, and the pricing should be high enough that parties move on to other properties that are less expensive. It would also be a good idea to check into a noise monitor like Minut.

agree...and thank you for your input!
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