How to prevent work group booking for short-term rental?

Question

With few years, we occasionally got a quick book by a group of people with trucks and tools. The property is good for a family . Once this kind of group hind a dog to a pet-free property. We have welcome comments for family but we felt can't say: only family.

How to prevent this type of booking?

We dislike VRBO bookings when the dog group from VRBO, and VRBO hind guests information, change an email to be a new guests so bad review will not available,  and felt 0 support for hosts.

Thanks to share your experience.

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

I don't do STR, but do furnished monthly stays e.g. 'mid-term' and it's just an aspect of renting a unit this way that you'll have to deal with. I've used Airbnb, furnished finder and Facebook.

My recent high maintenance guest was an older couple from out of state. Very nice, very respectful and overall super pleasant and appreciative...BUT...they checked in and wondered if I had a wall clock, they needed a reading light, wondered about a 6' extension cord or if I could get them one, were there more hangers etc. They asked if I could buy a tub mat because the tub was more slick than they were used to and were afraid of a fall etc. (I've never had an issue with the tub, but they're old and not as steady) They also called for everything and would let me know the other thing they realized they needed/ could use etc. I can honestly say they were not my easiest guests, but that comes with the territory. They were understanding when I said no, and the items like the tub mat I did take care of didn't cost too much so overall it was ok and I survived.

Every now and again when you get a difficult guest, grin and bear it, and know they'll be gone soon.

John Underwood · Answer

I have had many work group bookings with no issues. Families typically bring pets not workers.

I get my bad apples usually from Airbnb, not Vrbo.

I rarely turn down bookings.

Upon the rare occurrence that I've had an issue the renter has always made good on any damages no matter who they are.

I'd either rent your place or don't and then nor sweat the clientele.

Travis Biziorek · Answer

I have a larger home in Detroit I operate as a STR. It's 5 beds and 3 baths.

I get a fair number of work groups and they are by far my favorite guests.

Never once has a work group tried to bring a pet. That seems counterintuitive to me. They're generally pretty respectful.

My only issue I have with these groups, at times, is they sometimes don't know how long they'll be required in the area. So they ask to extend at the last minute. My cleaner hates that lol

Michael Baum · Answer

100% with @John Underwood on this.

Either book them or don't. I have never had a workgroup booking before so I can't comment.

VRBO brings the best guests in my experience as well.

Also, it might be a bit discriminatory. Maybe. Working folks aren't a protected class but I will say that your ratings will take a hit if you keep denying bookings for no obvious reason.

Have you had massive damage due to a work group staying?

Andrew Steffens · Answer

Hi Huiping

I agree with everyone above, you cannot or at least should not restrict your bookings.  People from all walks of life will hide pets or claim them to be service pets.  If you notice it during their stay you can try to remove them with assistance from Airbnb/VRBO if they are breaking house rules.  We rent houses to families, workers, doctors, nurses, bricklayers, maybe even astronauts.  We have had rowdy families and quiet workers, and vice versa.

I see you in Tampa? I am happy to analyze your property for you.  If you are spending this much time scrutinizing your guests, you may want to consider hiring professional property management!

Huiping S. · Answer

@Michael Baum

Maybe we are over-reacted from the bad experience. the 99% of our guests are normal family: come to Florida and have a nice vocation. Those people are happy and we know how to work with them.

Have thinking to change to long-term although the booking is good. Compared to short-term, long term is easy.

Huiping S. · Answer

Last year there is one group they hind one dog but that dog bucked so much and Ring recorded it and they used bowl and plate of kids for dog and disconnected Wifi to prevent us know they have dog. Dog trash on yard; cigarette butts on yard.

Since then we dislike booking from VRBO and dislike work group.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Huiping S., yeah, I would say you need to relax just a bit. I know it is annoying when some guests do a bit of damage or make a mess.

We had some guests break a window, break the futon, break a handrail bracket, cigarette butts on the deck (we have a strict no smoking anywhere on the property), leaving garbage here and there, not cleaning up after their dogs....

All I do is fix the problem and charge the guests for the damage. The window was just under $1000. The futon, $200. The rest was cake.

If you only have one or 2 issues per year, then you are doing pretty much like the rest of us. :)

Michael Baum · Answer

Well that is a bit of a problem but certainly not that bad. I have had similar issues with families on occasion.

VRBO is just a platform, they don't go out of their way to cater to groups of workers.

Maybe you might want to change the STR to a LTR or mid term rental?

How to prevent work group booking for short-term rental?

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