How do you screen an STR tenant ?
Most Popular Reply
John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votesI don't screen them. I charge a good bit for my properties, that screens them.
Do hotels run background checks on guests? No they don't.
22 Replies
- Member since 2021 · 47 posts · 42 votes1y
Ensure they have good review history. For me that means at least 1 good review and no negative reviews. I think most hosts give 5 stars unless there is a serious issue so even a 4 star is a red flag for me that I would check into.
If they don't have any review history, ask a lot of questions (e.g., what brings them to the area?) ask them to confirm they understand your policies (no parties, no extra guests that aren't included in the reservation, etc.) before accepting their reservation request.
If anything seems off, I would not be afraid to decline the request and let them know that you aren't able to accommodate. With that being said, I probably only deny a couple of requests per year and the vast majority of guests are great!
- 1yJohn UnderwoodPro MemberInvestor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
I don't screen them. I charge a good bit for my properties, that screens them.
Do hotels run background checks on guests? No they don't.
- 1yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
I edge my odds by not allowing 1) last minute check-ins (must be at least 2 days in advance) 2) No 1 night stays (eliminates partiers) 3) Must have previous good reviews.
These will vette 99% of your guests adequately....
- Investor · CO · Member since 2020 · 59 posts · 42 votes1y
I call most of my guests as soon as they book on Airbnb and VRBO especially if they are new to the platforms or don't have reviews, i nicely ask them what brings you to town? Who's all coming ? And I go over house rules, I can usually tell after that what's up , plus get your money first , have them sign a STR contract if you want, good luck !
- 1yMichael BaumPro MemberOlympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Hey @Anita Z., so I don't truly screen the guests like you mention. In the end you always roll the dice on guests.
I don't allow instant booking. I chat with each and every guest wanting to book the place before they actually book it.
I find this screens out any guests that could have issues and lays the groundwork for a great stay.
It also weeds out folks (in our case) that aren't understanding the distance to town and certain activities in our area. I do have folks that don't book because of that.
That is a good thing as not understanding the distance to get places will create bad blood and cause those 2 and 3 star reviews which no one wants to see.
Like @John Underwood, our place isn't cheap so we don't get the folks that destroy places.
The bottom line is that you are renting out an expensive asset to strangers for 3-10 days or whatever. You just need to get your head around that and push on.
- 1yAndrew SteffensBusiness MemberTampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
There are some services like Guest Ranger but we do not screen in the traditional sense.
Make your house rules clear and make it clear they are enforced, then they tend to screen themselves. You screen LTR for their financials, eviction, and criminal history. STR guests pay up front so 2/3 of the battle is done. Criminal history also is not too important. I do not care if someone had a marijuana charge 12 years ago.
I do care if its 10 guys coming in for a bachelor party. The guest rules state no partying and it is abundantly clear our houses are in neighborhoods with full time residents they will be caught and they will be removed without refund. That filters out 99%+ of the issues. In 8 years and over 20k reservations we have had 15-20 incidents I would estimate. You will eventually have an issue but if you do a good job it will be few and far between.
Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews - Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes1y
Quote from @John Underwood:
I don't screen them. I charge a good bit for my properties, that screens them.
Do hotels run background checks on guests? No they don't.
I think we are in the minority. I am in your camp and don't check backgrounds. Further, I don't trust other host reviews. I just had a 4.5 star guest that was an awesome guest and left me a great review. I've had 5 star guests that were awful. I charge higher nightly rates and don't have large properties that can bring unwieldy guests. I heard so many horror stories from hosts but I have never had an issue, knock on wood. I get an insurance policy for each guest so if they break anything, I feel covered. I've almost never used it.
- Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 292 votes1y
Congrats on preparing your property for an STR in San Diego! You're correct—Airbnb and Vrbo don't do credit checks, but many hosts screen guests through reviews, verified IDs, and guest profiles. You can also request a security deposit for extra peace of mind.
Happy to connect and share more tips!
- 1yGregory SchwartzBusiness MemberRental Property Investor · College Station, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
I dont screen but to be fair our properties dont attract parties. If I had a "party house" I'd probably look out for people with at least one review
Schwartz Realty Group5118 Reviews - 1yJake BakerBusiness MemberFlipper/Rehabber · San Diego, CA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 696 votes
I agree with @Grant Woodward about looking at the reviews. We don't use Instant Book, which allows us to vet the tenants through their reviews.
Whenever I have a problem with a tenant, I contact Airbnb to let them know. If it escalates, they can step in and mediate if needed. Ex. Once, a tenant left a massive stain on the rug beyond repair. I requested money from the guest for replacement and contacted Airbnb in the meantime, and the guest left me a bad review because I requested them to pay for it. Airbnb stepped in to mediate, paid me my rug replacement costs, and took the bad review down. The lesson here: Airbnb tends to have your back.
BookkeepingRE - Bookkeeping for Real Estate & Service-Based Businesses52 Reviews Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:
I think we are in the minority. I am in your camp and don't check backgrounds. Further, I don't trust other host reviews. I just had a 4.5 star guest that was an awesome guest and left me a great review. I've had 5 star guests that were awful. I charge higher nightly rates and don't have large properties that can bring unwieldy guests. I heard so many horror stories from hosts but I have never had an issue, knock on wood. I get an insurance policy for each guest so if they break anything, I feel covered. I've almost never used it.
Thank you so much. Do you get insurance for each guest via Airbnb/Vrbo ? Assuming that is an additional charge? Also, are the guest reviews available once you sign up and become a host? Do the guests have access to see their own reviews by hosts? I wasn't able to find/ see my own reviews as a guest.
Quote from @Michael Baum:
Hey @Anita Z., so I don't truly screen the guests like you mention. In the end you always roll the dice on guests.
I don't allow instant booking. I chat with each and every guest wanting to book the place before they actually book it.
I find this screens out any guests that could have issues and lays the groundwork for a great stay.
It also weeds out folks (in our case) that aren't understanding the distance to town and certain activities in our area. I do have folks that don't book because of that.
That is a good thing as not understanding the distance to get places will create bad blood and cause those 2 and 3 star reviews which no one wants to see.
Like , our place isn't cheap so we don't get the folks that destroy places.
The bottom line is that you are renting out an expensive asset to strangers for 3-10 days or whatever. You just need to get your head around that and push on.
@Michael Baum @Grant Woodward @John Underwood @Bruce Woodruff @Terry Ouimet
@Andrew Street @Patricia Andriolo-Bull @Andrew Steffens @Jake Baker Appreciate all the valuable input from your experience! For those who are charging higher nightly rates, where would you say your rates are vs comps to try to weed out the trouble guests? Do you request the ID verification on your own, or is that via Airbnb? How is that done, is it just asking them to send you their drivers license?
- 1yAndrew SteffensBusiness MemberTampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
Quote from @Anita Z.:
Quote from @Michael Baum:
Hey @Anita Z., so I don't truly screen the guests like you mention. In the end you always roll the dice on guests.
I don't allow instant booking. I chat with each and every guest wanting to book the place before they actually book it.
I find this screens out any guests that could have issues and lays the groundwork for a great stay.
It also weeds out folks (in our case) that aren't understanding the distance to town and certain activities in our area. I do have folks that don't book because of that.
That is a good thing as not understanding the distance to get places will create bad blood and cause those 2 and 3 star reviews which no one wants to see.
Like , our place isn't cheap so we don't get the folks that destroy places.
The bottom line is that you are renting out an expensive asset to strangers for 3-10 days or whatever. You just need to get your head around that and push on.
@Michael Baum @Grant Woodward @John Underwood @Bruce Woodruff @Terry Ouimet
@Andrew Street @Patricia Andriolo-Bull @Andrew Steffens @Jake Baker Appreciate all the valuable input from your experience! For those who are charging higher nightly rates, where would you say your rates are vs comps to try to weed out the trouble guests? Do you request the ID verification on your own, or is that via Airbnb? How is that done, is it just asking them to send you their drivers license?
Airbnb does their own verification and they somewhat give you protection through AirCover. I say somewhat because it is like pulling teeth when you need to use it.
We also do direct bookings and other platforms where we do our own ID verification. We need ID, selfie, and picture of the CC used to pay.
Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews - Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes1y
Quote from @Anita Z.:
Just getting ready to post my 3 bed/2 ba home as an STR in San Diego. I'm wondering how do you all screen your tenants? I believe Airbnb and Vrbo dont do credit checks is this right? If so, how do you trust you're getting a quality tenant that is safe?
You screen them the same way a hotel does: not at all.
The only thing you need to verify is their credit card number.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews - Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes1yI use OwnerRez and they have an option to add insurance which I pay for but I bundle into my overall pricing. But I hear there are independent options if you don’t use a PM. In Airbnb the guest only sees what the hosts says but not the stars they receive - only other hosts see that. It sure about VRBO as I haven’t travelled using them.
Quote from @Anita Z.:
Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:
I think we are in the minority. I am in your camp and don't check backgrounds. Further, I don't trust other host reviews. I just had a 4.5 star guest that was an awesome guest and left me a great review. I've had 5 star guests that were awful. I charge higher nightly rates and don't have large properties that can bring unwieldy guests. I heard so many horror stories from hosts but I have never had an issue, knock on wood. I get an insurance policy for each guest so if they break anything, I feel covered. I've almost never used it.
Thank you so much. Do you get insurance for each guest via Airbnb/Vrbo ? Assuming that is an additional charge? Also, are the guest reviews available once you sign up and become a host? Do the guests have access to see their own reviews by hosts? I wasn't able to find/ see my own reviews as a guest.
I do not verify IDs at all. - Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 292 votes1y
Quote from @Anita Z.:
Quote from @Michael Baum:
Hey @Anita Z., so I don't truly screen the guests like you mention. In the end you always roll the dice on guests.
I don't allow instant booking. I chat with each and every guest wanting to book the place before they actually book it.
I find this screens out any guests that could have issues and lays the groundwork for a great stay.
It also weeds out folks (in our case) that aren't understanding the distance to town and certain activities in our area. I do have folks that don't book because of that.
That is a good thing as not understanding the distance to get places will create bad blood and cause those 2 and 3 star reviews which no one wants to see.
Like , our place isn't cheap so we don't get the folks that destroy places.
The bottom line is that you are renting out an expensive asset to strangers for 3-10 days or whatever. You just need to get your head around that and push on.
@Michael Baum @Grant Woodward @John Underwood @Bruce Woodruff @Terry Ouimet
@Andrew Street @Patricia Andriolo-Bull @Andrew Steffens @Jake Baker Appreciate all the valuable input from your experience! For those who are charging higher nightly rates, where would you say your rates are vs comps to try to weed out the trouble guests? Do you request the ID verification on your own, or is that via Airbnb? How is that done, is it just asking them to send you their drivers license?
Great questions! Setting higher rates than the comps can definitely help attract guests who value quality, but it’s important to stay competitive within your market. For ID verification, I typically rely on Airbnb’s built-in process, as it’s seamless and keeps everything within their platform. If you need additional verification, you can kindly request a government-issued ID, but it’s best to communicate this upfront in your house rules.
Happy to connect and share more insights!
- 1yCollin HaysBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
You can't reasonably screen your guests. Trouble makers aren't generally renting expensive homes in resort areas.
- 1yMichael BaumPro MemberOlympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Hey @Anita Z. in the end, you can just get a gut feeling on who they are from texts or calls. I don't overcharge but I stay competitive.
No ID verification. I let VRBO and AirBNB handle that.
Bottom line is you are taking a risk every time you allow folks to use the house. You just mitigate it as best you can, carry good STR insurance and roll the dice!
- Investor · Fort Washington, MD · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes1y
Mine are ran by a property manager. In off season when its a mid term rental I manage. I have never really screened much for the midterm side. It was usually for a month or so and if they had funds, I let them in. Had a few small problems but nothing major. I don't think my manager does that for the short term side either. Its at a ski resort so it seems like it would be time consuming. They will only be there a few days. Hotels don't do it.
Where do I find this place where I can give a tenant a review?
Am I missing something here? Airbnb offers $3M damage protection insurance (AirCover) if guests don't pay for the damages they cause, and $1M liability insurance if a guest gets hurt or their belongings are stolen.
That being said, I too do not allow instant booking or most last-minute long-term bookings out of nowhere. I suspect that weeds out a lot, but beyond that, I don't screen my Airbnb guests.
I've haven't had to take advantage of AirCover yet in six months of operating an Airbnb, so I'm honestly curious how this works.
- Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 97 votes1y
Hi @Anita Z.! I've only been a host for just over a year. However, what I've learned is that for the most part, if most of your bookings are with guests that have a positive history (Airbnb/VRBO), your rates are competitive (to possibly slightly higher because you stand out, offer more, etc.), and you've made your House Rules clear, then don't sweat the small stuff.
By that, I mean- you'll have guests who have 5-star ratings but can still leave a mess or damage (other owners didn't report accurately or it was complicated) but you have recourse via photo evidence (your cleaners, etc.) to ask for reimbursement (or use something like AirCover, etc.). Minor things- you'll just absorb as part of the cost of doing business. I do accept bookings from guests with no history (because everyone starts somewhere). However, I find I usually have to do a little more education or hand-holding up-front with them (because there can be a lot of things they don't know- whether it's about how Airbnb / VRBO work or what the rental process is like). It's trickier when a guest reaches out that has negative reviews (because I will decline but try to do so as diplomatically as possible). [And there is a hit you take to your ranking when you decline but it's worth it to me in the long run.]
Other than the ideas above, some of the other ways you can screen- is via communication. I don't offer instant booking and I do ask gentle questions on what brings their group to our area, etc. Recently, I've realized that it helps me (and my guests) to re-confirm details of their booking before they arrive (so there are no surprises such as undisclosed dogs or extra persons added).
To answer your question on how to see how others have reviewed you as a guest, in Airbnb, you'll find it under your Account, then at the top of the page, select Go to Profile. You'll see your reviews in the main body (both yours as a guest and as a host). VRBO does it differently and only gives you the possible guest's star rating. The easiest way to find your reviews is through the VRBO app. It's under Menu, right below Payments. Currently, VRBO disabled the previous ability we had to see our own ratings as a guest (not a host). This was available a few years ago but I called last year (after they moved to a single platform with Expedia, etc.) and they still haven't brought it back.
@Mark Cruse I can't quite tell if you're joking (so just excuse me for being too literal) but giving tenant reviews is via the platform from which they booked your place. For many, that's Airbnb or VRBO. And if you have a property manager, they're taking care of this on your behalf.
- Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2023 · 189 posts · 88 votes1y
Quote from @Anita Z.:
Just getting ready to post my 3 bed/2 ba home as an STR in San Diego. I'm wondering how do you all screen your tenants? I believe Airbnb and Vrbo dont do credit checks is this right? If so, how do you trust you're getting a quality tenant that is safe?
Hi Anita, If you are using these third party platforms like Airbnb & Vrbo, you don't need to worry about screening tenants besides having settings on to review guest reviews and filter what you can; but in the end, both these third party platforms have insurance coverage anyways. We manage 100+ str and never had major issues where we needed more than the insurance these platforms provided! If you need any other help, feel free to message me!
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