One SIMPLE AIRBNB TIP that Saved Me $20,000 Last Month!! (every host should do this)

[@mikestevens2053]

Really admire your professional behavior, in this instance and in all your videos. A bunch of anecdotal and experiential evidence tells me Air BNB would not be constitutionally inclined to side with the host. Without strong and professional documentation you might not have come out as well as you did. Thanks for the reminder to keep all communications on-platform. Glad you were ultimately rewarded for diligence and good character. Thanks also for throwing us a hosting "bone".

[@annetteratliffclark]

Your videos have helped me SO much Richard! I am a new host since October. Thanks for another great one!

[@SusannaKGreen]

I’m so big on customer service and after watching this video I am convinced that you operate out of sheer integrity, as do I. So, I relate to this wholewholeheartedly. Thank you for what you bring to the table.

[@bowiemalachi2529]

you probably dont give a shit but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@waynefabian2428]

@Bowie Malachi instablaster =)

[@bowiemalachi2529]

@Wayne Fabian I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@bowiemalachi2529]

@Wayne Fabian it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out!

[@waynefabian2428]

@Bowie Malachi glad I could help :D

[@kusinaniboyeng5076]

Thank you Richard. I really like this kind of content that you’re sharing with us.

[@TerenceTang83]

Well done! Yes i try to do that too especially when things doesn't seem to go right about the guest..

[@jnewbury2280]

Another great tip similar to this situation. We had someone call us before they even entered our unit to tell us they couldn’t stay with us. When asked why they just said they didn’t feel comfortable. We agreed to cancel the reservation with a 50% refund which we should not have done. Number one if they don’t stay they can’t leave any negative feedback and number 2 we had every right to keep the money because it was not possible to get another reservation in there spot and they didn’t even enter our unit. Like Richard says your are running a business and they agreed to the terms so you have every right to stand by those conditions!

[@clreed4894]

Richard, do you think you would have operated any differently or accepted a different outcome if the individuals been famous (assuming they were not)?

[@ricebunnymoon4624]

Oh, I once left days early and didn’t bother to ask for the days I wasn’t in... but didn’t know you actually can’t ask for money if you left early... not even if you didn’t go all together...

[@platinumrose]

🌹Definitely ALWAYS have a STRICT cancellation policy‼️ I'm afraid to do any long term (more than 2 weeks because here in Cali, you can't evict if it goes past 30 days.😭

[@Neilly671]

Hey Richard -- Not sure that you did it 100% right. What I do if a guest cancels within the cancellation period is tell them to cancel the reservation and I will try to rent out the place and refund the money if the place gets booked. When they cancel, I drop the price by 15-20% and about 85% of the time someone else books the place. I refund the original guest the reservation amounts of the new guests -- I keep the cleaning fees. The guest that cancelled is happy they got most of the money back and I get a 5 star rating. PS -- I love your channel and love your Airbnb 2.0 direction!!

[@imrichardfertig]

Cowtownn great point! I neglected to state that. I did try exactly that! The guest refused to cancel. They wanted 100% guarantee refund. They would not take any risk. They wanted to bully me or Airbnb into their entitlement. Didn’t happen. They refused to cancel. Clock and cash register kept ringing.....

[@Neilly671]

@@imrichardfertig Ha!! I should have known you would have already done that!!

[@rarefindhomesllc3479]

@@imrichardfertig This has happened to us 2 times this year and both times the guest wanting to cancel refuses the option of the $ back IF it the house gets rebooked. The first group has already stayed and all went fine (although they did not leave us a review nor did I prompt her to). The second group to try to cancel will be here in 2 weeks.

[@canyonadvisors6449]

@@imrichardfertig - Really ironic...I just had the EXACT same situation this past week. Working through the resolution as we speak. Sure wish AirBnB would take our side for a change. We're the ones making them money.

[@imrichardfertig]

Canyon Advisors stay tuned....another follow Up video coming soon. 🤷‍♂️🤔🤔🤔

[@mskeishapac]

Thank you , i use to hate after i ordered some avon for someone one and after i got it , Then they decided to cancel i had to pay for shipping to go back.

[@nicholasvarro7382]

Mine is STRICT too Richard! And I learned it from you! Thank you! Hold firm, proper planning for proper people

[@clreed4894]

Preach!!! And then say it again for the people on the back row cause I don't think they heard you, me, us!!! STAY ON PLATFORM [PERIOD].

[@fernandobetanzos6413]

September and October in Cancun is low, very low season. Thanks for your videos.

[@gonzocom]

RIGHT ON RICHARD! You are my HERO! :)

[@KA-rt2vh]

Thanks for another awesome video Richard, sometimes we get bad guests...not much to do about this...

[@auroraautumn8764]

Great advice. Some want to text direct and claim they are having issues with App (which could be true). I ask them before they check in to confirm to all the rules via the app.

[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

About you responding on AirBnB to the client that messaged you on an outside platform so that AirBnB would have records - would you copy and paste/ screenshot their outside message and then post your response, or would you just respond and summarize their message? Thanks in advance

[@CFinch360]

Richard states below "I cut and paste their question on WhatsApp or text message into my response so Airbnb had whole story.

Richard they were opportunists, CON ARTISTS who were looking for something to sue. This turned out great and thanks for the tip. It's a deliberate action..derailing the convo and I'll bet they conned other hosts with their confusing communication

[@cbbrosnaham3739]

Richard, once again I had missed this video I guess! Great stuff and thanks so much for sharing this. I'm sharing this with our hosts club in pensacola as you are so Right On! Folks will try so often to use everything else, whats app, messaging with phone, except the Airbnb app. and this encourages me to stand firm as I do with them. Hope you are well and big greetings to you and Charles too. Clara

[@paolowright6420]

Richard, so good to get a video again like this about how to handle airbnb and guests. Thanks

[@brayhillhouse2049]

You broke one of your own rules with this booking. Keep stays to 7 days. Longer bookings are trouble.

[@imrichardfertig]

Bray Hill House NYC laws require 30 day minimums.....

[@ThatGuy-ur5cn]

I always follow Richard's suggestion of shorter stays also, but I recall him suggesting two weeks to be the maximum comfort level. I was going to ask; how do you make $20k from a single booking!? I've set my max duration to 16 days and have never had an issue. Guess the 60 day booking paid of in Richard's current example - laughing all the way to the bank! That's 6 months worth of income for my humble bnb!

[@brayhillhouse2049]

@@imrichardfertig I'm glad it worked out for you. I just took my longest booking yet for 9 days but was a little apprehensive because of your rules. I recall one of your videos about keeping bookings short and agree with that.

[@ricebunnymoon4624]

I have rented for up to 2 months many times with my husband and have no problems and they tell me I’ve been a good renter leaving amicably, but I thinkI’m not that fuzzy, Nor picky... it depends on the people I guess... 🤔

[@clreed4894]

What was their review of you/your listing at the end of the day?

[@imrichardfertig]

CL Reed here is the best part! I tried to get Airbnb to block both of our reviews. Initially Airbnb person 1 agreed. Then I was prompted to leave them a review when Airbnb forced the cancellation to stop the clock. So, I called back and asked Airbnb support person 2 to block “I thought this was already done?” So.....they NEVER left a review. 😇

[@michaelm9621]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but you handled this professionally.

[@cindysalas334]

Your videos are AMAZING keep them coming I’m learning sooooo much good job.THANKS

[@melissaashley7919]

Thanks for posting this!! We're about to go live with our listing in a few weeks and this advice is very helpful.

[@timetraveler1681]

Great advice!

[@laurihines300]

Richard, very interested to get your take on the new “strict” policy on Airbnb. I think it is going to kill hosts with big/expensive properties when guests can cancel within 7 days with 50% off. How are you handling this, and are you migrating to other platforms based on this?

[@TerenceTang83]

I had a case where guest checked out and took my air con remote controller, access card and key. Because i kept all the conversations on airbnb and how i willing to go airport to pick it up. Guest denied my request and choose to not cooperative.. I called the airbnb support and inform and got all the lost items replaced. Cost me $59 send the receipt to claim for me.. Airbnb took over my case and told me guest do not want to pay. But because i have been a great host throughout. Airbnb reimbursd me $59 out of goodwill..it made me feel that airbnb is here to stay.

[@ImperfectionistGaming]

goodwill? if the guest refuse to pay for the STOLEN items to be replaced, then airbnb should 100% be required to pay for it. I would also report it to the police so it's on their record incase they do this again and i would leave a 1 star review on them and say why

[@lightspringkles]

What would you do with the phone calls to direct them back to the platform? How do you handle this? Thanks!

[@wholderby]

Hey Richard I have a sort of unrelated question though this video made me think about it. I realize a HOME listing is very different than an Apartment listing but my wife and I are heading down the road on an Apt in a building down in Puerto Rico - right on the ocean. Small place and it needs a lot of renovation but it will be epic if it all goes through. We are contemplating listing this with AirBNB or maybe others. Question - do HOSTS ever converse and come up with a strategy to cover each other in the event of a problem in your place (broken pipe or some other thing). Are hosts ever cooperative with one another to try to coordinate a relocation to a similar apartment (if available) or are hosts just competitors. I can see a real value in having a relationship like that. Many hosts exist in the building we are buying into and it seems if I have an available week and another host has an issue in their reservation that perhaps this would be a natural fit to cooperate.....or is that a naive thought? :)

[@fluent_In_finance]

😄😄 Question 1 is no. U can only be buddies. Question 2 is possible, but yes it is also naive.

[@erakor9]

When they were doing repairs at the airbnb did they have to stay somewhere else while you fixed that issue? Thanks!

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Had a very similar problem in the last few weeks

[@ladygypsysoul122]

Good tip. And it make sense..

[@causechange]

I had a similar situation with a long term guest. They left after 10 days said they only spent 5, only phoned Airbnb after 29 days and still wanted a refund for 90% of the booking! I kept everything on Airbnb and they could see they were lying, but I would like to hear how you deal with these bad reviews they always ultimately leave Thanks

[@Iglooken]

Hi Richard, did they leave an evaluation? Because the problem is they can give you a bad evaluation with one star...

[@nickb.8129]

You're a very impressive chap and a great communicator! I do have one question, though, how did they get your private comms in the first place ...WhatsApp, email etc?

[@shahbazkhanjs]

Amazing video again

[@imas2pid80it]

Seems like it is a risky thing having renters who are pissed off at you or someone whose vacation was ruined due to a misunderstanding. Wouldn't it be better to take a percentage of the money and then rent it to someone who is excited to be there? It appears to me that you were just lucky they didn't trash the place.

[@ignae]

Maybe Airbnb will side with them and try to withhold money. I sense the future

[@wilsonblanchard8432]

Gold it worked out - question: you were paid for 20+ days but they only stayed 4? What is policy on guest just leaving without notification?

[@ohlooocha]

for stays more than 28 days you get the first 30 days guaranteed so he was probably paid 10+30 or so. since they didnt cancel after they left and he mentioned it took around 10 days for the stay to be canceled.

[@amyt5105]

Thanks for the advice. One question. If the guest keeps communicating outside the platform and you respond ON the platform, how do the ABB customer service reps follow the conversation if they can only see one side?

[@imrichardfertig]

Amy T I cut and paste their question on WhatsApp or text message into my response so Airbnb had whole story. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks!

[@nicholasvarro7382]

THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE TODAY, THEY DONT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES, IF I MAKE MISTAKES I EAT THE MONEY, YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU! AND FRANKLY THAT 20K that they had to eat surely did not make them or break them!

[@Brian-vk1hm]

ALL CAPS DUDE

[@braddavid9173]

VRBO has better policies on Cancellation and are more legal. GET YOUR OWN LEASE SIGNED IN ANY STATE YOU ARE IN< DO NOT RELY ON AIR BNB FOR ANYTHING< THEY ARE NOT OPERATING IN A SANE FASHION. The law in most cases says the LANDLORD DECIDES EVERYTHING NOT THE TENANT< NO COMPANY POLICY CAN DICTATE THE LAW!!! ALWAYS DO EMAIL AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR LEASE SIGNED AND ALWAYS GET YOUR ID OF ANY GUEST

[@ricebunnymoon4624]

You should make a video for people wanting to reserve so they know, I entered cause I wanna host, but I have rented so many times and did not know it, but I’m not picky. And some really are trouble 💥 🥊

[@clarissastewart4872]

Is anybody else out there having big troubles with Airbnb contact and help during the COVID-19? I have been trying to get the help I need for three weeks relating to a listing I have in another country. The 'help" staff dont seem to have much skill or training. Nobody's there to really help and meanwhile they mislead you by saying the problem is fixed when it isnt.

[@massiramuzi103]

20K for a 60 day stay?

[@imrichardfertig]

Massi Ramuzi yessir.

[@massiramuzi103]

Must be one hell of a listing!@@imrichardfertig

[@hijinks21]

Why would you risk over 28days? They can then become tenants and you'd have to evict them. Never let anyone Airbnb for over 28 days

[@CFinch360]

Rules vary by location, this is true in California but not always in other areas.

[@JonathanCorbett]

First? Love your stuff. Opening up an AirBnb in NC. Would love if you stopped by! Pro video guy who could help you do an awesome video.

[@BuckBreaker]

Where in NC?

[@JonathanCorbett]

It's located north of Winston-Salem near Hanging Rock State Park.

[@MobilediscowirralCoUk]

How have air bnb been since?

[@FLaDave351]

With "dynamic" pricing and a strict cancellation policy your guests are probably half pissed off before they check in.

[@imrichardfertig]

David B hey david, not sure I agree with you. There’s no gun to their head. I’m not begging anyone to book with me. If they have superior alternatives with lower pricing or easier cancellations, they are free to select those locations. The risk is on ME (not them) - my place may be empty with no income if I’m way off market and or the guest books somewhere else.

[@Gioware]

thats not saving. stupid clickbait title