Comments on: Host Nightmare: Religious Beliefs vs. Guest Rights

By: Paula

Paula — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 08:00:32 +0000

I really don’t understand why this host complains so much about this guest. Other than the clogged toilet, which could happen to anyone, the other reasons given (his clothes scattered on the floor? really? so what? did the clothes harm the floor somehow?) seem phony to me. As for the second guest, that is a little more tricky and it depends on the host’s policy. But you cannot tell someone not to commit adultery because you don’t approve of it, due to religion or whatever other beliefs you hold. As for the other comments like J Harris’ about not allowing guests to cook meat? Seriously? I know it stinks (I’m vegan), but even I think that banning guests from cooking it is going way too far. If you want someone to live by your specific rules and follow your exact lifestyle, then don’t rent your place out, simple as that. But the issue with such hosts is that they want to make money, but are so stuck in their ways, that they expect guests to live exactly like them. There are many genuine complaints out there about guests that destroyed property, were obnoxious to the neighbors, were loud, threw parties, refused to leave, etc. This particular complaint is a bunch of baloney.

By: Tu Madre

Tu Madre — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 23:07:14 +0000

In reply to J Harris.

You are the only comment to make any bloody sense!
This is a HOME, not a hotel plain and simple, that is why airbnb is at odds with hotels, because their hosts do not pay taxes like a hotel. I have found most Americans are very entitled and are not looking for an experience. In NYC a host must be living in the unit if the booking is less than 30 days, so it is a cohabitation situation.
If you are not living in the unit for rent, then all you can really do is state your rules and hope they abide.

Shared space is usually considerably cheaper duh cause you are a guest = respecting expressed rules that were made clear at the time of booking.

Entire flat or house much more expensive = you can make your requests, but it really is asking too much if you think people will adhere to them.

I do not know the laws of India I am going off just being raised a decent person that respects other peoples homes.

By: J Harris

J Harris — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 10:00:57 +0000

In reply to Alysa.

NO completely disagree w/most of comments; I feel your pain
***agree with Geradine
No guest you don’t know in your place, 1man booked,.
inconsiderate,dirty..cancelled with cause
prostitute, pick up, Muslim or not; no unregistered guests
religion aside, no overnite unregistered guests.
I would have thrown him out changed locks.
***NO Rhonda & Steve &Alysa&Bob
upset that airbnb didn’t take his side
Hotels/motels would inspect if they thought rules being broken, damage to property
he could be shitting in the bed or burning holes.
my friend suggested it, doing successfully; but before I did wanted to investigate problems
it is not because of yr religion tht his behavior is unacceptable. altho you may feel that.
I don’t care if someone has sex with stranger, same or opposite sex; just no unregistered guests in my home. stay out; do what you want.
Sharing someone’s home is not a hotel.
I am vegetarian/vegan- no smoking (there are no smoking hotel rooms) no cooking meat (probably ok to bring in take out); no illegal drugs; no getting drunk, some beer/wine is OK; no parties, no unregistered guests. don’t like it; go somewhere else
Respect the space;keep it clean, safe.
this is stay in someone’s home, is not a hotel
I would say please adhere to Muslim rules; not Muslims only. & specify
so lose a guest- better no guest then trouble

By: Geraldine

Geraldine — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 10:12:05 +0000

You can be true to the spirit of Airbnb AND your religious beliefs by saying that you only accept a single (i.e. one) guest. Your guest was in the wrong NOT because of having sex with the woman but by bringing an unregistered guest back without your consent. Many hosts stipulate the number of acceptable guests and do not allow extra guests without advanced permission.

You are in a more difficult situation if you allow couples and you state that your room/apartment sleeps two. Even if you accept a couple you cannot know whether they are married or not and you cannot force them to show you their marriage certificate!

And yes, you are offering a “type” of accommodation with Airbnb, but even hotels don’t allow more than the stated number of guests to use the room! You need to make it clear in your listing from the start that only ONE guest will be accepted unless you give specific permission otherwise. It may mean that you get fewer bookings as this is quite a restrictive requirement but it would save you (and indeed your guest!) problems and embarrassment.

By: Rosamond

Rosamond — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 01:29:40 +0000

Air b&b = hotel which means religious belief is not relevant.
I’m Catholic and there is a Catholic accommodation available at my uni, and they state prior to contract being signed that you cannot sleep in the same room with anyone, even someone from your own sex. Maybe put that down as your policies and make it crystal clear. Most of the people, not only in the west, don’t care about sex out of wedlock. But it’s certain the norm here in the west to witness a one night stand.

By: Barry Brachfeld

Barry Brachfeld — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 06:37:35 +0000

A lot of people don’t know that in India, if a unmarried couple try to get a hotel room a lot of them will insist on two separate rooms. With that said and explained I agree with everyone else. Close your doors to renting your space.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:11:27 +0000

I think they have a policy regarding tolerance. Consenting and legal sex between adults is something you cannot control. If you have these views then your better off not being on Airbnb. It would be like a Westerner saying, you cannot wear a head scarf or cover your face in my house.
It is exactly like a hotel. We all have to forget our beliefs either religious or views on gays or racial stuff. That is what airbnb is about, a bit of a united nations with a suitcase that comes to your home.

By: Alysa

Alysa — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 16:28:17 +0000

your religious beliefs = your problem.

By: Bob Stefanics

Bob Stefanics — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 07:39:28 +0000

Have to agree with Steve on this one. Provided that was your guest does is not against the law, you really have no claim in this case. What you are doing there is enforcing your religious beliefs on someone else who clearly does not share them. Having sex out of wedlock is completely acceptable in the West. If you’d said you’d found them on our sofa, that would not be acceptable, but what he did behind closed doors is fine.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 18:26:53 +0000

If you accept money and open your doors to guests, you’re basically a hotel. Your religious beliefs now mean nothing.

If you want to honor your religious beliefs then don’t play hotel.