Airbnb Squatters : How to Avoid Them & Get Rid of Them

If you’re an Airbnb host, then you know that one of the biggest concerns is making sure your property is secure. Unfortunately, there are people out there who see Airbnb as an opportunity to squat in someone’s home – they are called Airbnb Squatters.

While it might seem like something that would only happen in a movie, it’s actually a real problem that Airbnb hosts have to deal with. In fact, there have been a number of reports of squatters taking over people’s homes through Airbnb.

If you’re an Airbnb host, then it’s important to be aware of this problem and take steps to protect yourself. Here are a few things you can do to prevent squatters from taking over your Airbnb property:

What is an Airbnb Squatter?

Airbnb has revolutionized the way we travel, making it easier and more affordable than ever to find a place to stay in almost any city in the world.

However, there is a dark side to Airbnb that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years: squatting.

Squatters are people who use Airbnb to find a place to stay, but then refuse to leave when their rental period is up.

In some cases, squatters have even changed the locks on the property and refused to let the rightful owner in.

This problem has become so prevalent that there are now companies that specialize in helping people remove squatters from their property.

While squatting may seem like a victimless crime to some, it can actually be quite damaging to both the property owner and the squatter themselves.

In many cases, the squatter will trash the property or leave it in a state of disrepair, costing the owner both time and money to fix the damage. Also, don’t forget about the money lost by the owner while not being able to rerent the property.

As a result, it is important to be aware of the risks of Airbnb squatting and take steps to protect yourself from this growing problem.

Why Do People Squat on Airbnb Properties?

There has been an uptick in reports of people squatting on Airbnb properties in recent years. While the reasons for this are varied, it’s important to be aware of the problem and take steps to protect yourself from it.

In some cases, people squat on Airbnb properties because they can’t afford to pay for traditional housing.

However, there have also been cases of people using Airbnb properties for illegal activities, such as drug dealing or prostitution.

Whatever the reason, squatting on an Airbnb property can cause a great deal of damage and disruption. If you suspect that someone is squatting on your property, it’s important to take action immediately.

Airbnb Squatter Horror Story

There have been some horror stories of squatters trashing people’s homes, stealing their belongings, and even terrorizing the homeowners. In one case, a squatter even changed the locks on a homeowner’s doors so they couldn’t get into their own home!

For example, check out this video of an Airbnb Squatter horror story we found direct form the host:

We don’t show you that video to scare you off but to show how important it is to take measures to protect your property from squatters.

No one wants to come back to thier property to find out they can’t even access it because a squatter has changed the locks!

How to Protect Yourself from Airbnb Squatters

Clearly, we can see that it’s best if hosts can avoid squatters altogether. And while there is no guarantee you’ll be able to identify them beforehand, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters that we’ve listed below.

#1 Screen Your Guests Carefully

One of the best ways to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters is to screen your guests carefully. Before you approve a booking, take some time to look at the guest’s profile and read their reviews. If something seems off, it’s better to be safe than sorry and decline the booking. You should also require that all guests have verified ID on their Airbnb profile.

#2 Check Reviews from Previous Hosts

When you’re looking at a potential guest’s profile, be sure to check their reviews from previous hosts. This can give you a good idea of what kind of person they are and whether or not they would be likely to squat on your property.

#3 Have a Strict Cancellation Policy

If you’re worried about Airbnb squatters, it’s important to have a strict cancellation policy. This will discourage guests from booking your property if they know they might have to cancel at the last minute.

#4 Require a Security Deposit

Another way to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters is to require a security deposit. This will give you some financial protection in case the guest damages your property or refuses to leave when their rental period is up.

#5 Get Insurance

It’s also a good idea to get insurance for your Airbnb property that covers squatters. This will give you some financial protection in case of damage or theft. This way, if it’s an option you’ll have additional protection from losses if someone does take over your property. Some insurance companies that specialize in Airbnb rentals to look into are: Proper Insurance and don’t forget to review the actual Airbnb Insurance policy that covers each booking as well to familiarize yourself with the coverages available

#6 Use a vacation rental contract.

When you’re renting out your property, be sure to use a vacation rental contract. This will help to protect your rights as a property owner and can be used as evidence in court if necessary.

#7 Stay in communication with your guests.

If you start to feel like something is wrong, or if a guest is acting suspiciously, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask what’s going on. In many cases, this will be enough to deter a squatter from even trying to take over your property.

#8 Avoid Long Term Bookings

One of the best ways to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters is to avoid long term bookings. Squatters are more likely to take over a property if they know they can stay for an extended period of time. If you do need to make a long-term booking, be sure to screen your guests carefully and require a security deposit.

#9 Background Check Long Term Guests

If you do have a long-term guest, it’s a good idea to run a background check. This will give you some peace of mind and can help you to identify any red flags that might indicate that the guest is not to be trusted.

#10 Have Your Property Checked On

Finally, it’s a good idea to have a friend or neighbor check on your property regularly when you’re not there. This will help you to spot any suspicious activity and make sure that your home is secure.

While no one likes to think about the possibility of being squatting, it’s important to be aware of the problem. By taking some simple precautions, you can help to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters.

Do Airbnb Squatters Have Rights?

When it comes to hosting guests in your home, it’s important to be aware of your state’s laws regarding squatter’s rights.

In the U.S., these laws can vary from state to state, but generally speaking, a guest’s power becomes much greater after they have stayed on your property for more than 30 days.

In some states, this period is as little as 27 days. While it may be tempting to accept all long-term stay requests, remember that there is a risk involved in doing so.

Many states view the guest as a tenant if they stay for more than a month, which gives them significantly greater rights.

To avoid this issue, try to stick with shorter reservations unless you are confident in the guest.

If you regularly host the same repeat guests who stay for one month at a time, you can probably book these guests without fear.

However, be cautious of newcomers who want to stay for an extended period of time.

By being aware of your state’s laws and sticking to shorter reservations, you can avoid any potential issues that may arise from hosting guests in your home.

What to Do if You Find an Airbnb Squatter

No one ever wants to find out that their property is being squatted. Unfortunately, it’s a more common occurrence than you might think, especially when it comes to vacation homes.

While it may seem daunting, there are actually a few simple steps you can take to get rid of squatters and take back control of your property (assuming you’ve already notified the squatter to leave, and they have refused).

1. Contact the Police: The first thing you should do if you find Airbnb squatters is to contact the police. In most cases, the squatter will be trespassing, which is a crime. The police can help to remove the squatter from your property and may even be able to file charges against them.
2. Contact Airbnb: Another thing you can do is to contact Airbnb. If the squatter booked their stay through Airbnb, then the company may be able to help you to resolve the issue.
3. Contact an Attorney: In some cases, you may need to contact an attorney. This is usually only necessary if the squatter has managed to stay on your property for an extended period of time or if they have caused damage to your property.

While it’s never a pleasant experience, with some quick action, you can get rid of squatters and take back control of your home.

Additional Tips to Avoid Airbnb Squatters

The best way to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters is to prevent them from being able to access your property in the first place. There are a few additional things you can do to make it more difficult for squatters to take over your home.

• First, it’s important to change the locks on your property regularly. This will make it more difficult for squatters to get in. Therefore, we recommend using smart locks so that you are able to change the code and expire it for each guest that accesses the property or disable it completely if needed.

• You should also consider installing security cameras or a security system. This will deter squatters and make it easier to catch them if they do try to take over your property.

• Finally, it’s a good idea to have a friend or neighbor check on your property regularly when you’re not there. This will help you to spot any suspicious activity and make sure that your home is secure.

While no one likes to think about the possibility of being squatting, it’s important to be aware of the problem. By taking some simple precautions, you can help to protect yourself from Airbnb squatters.

Does Airbnb help with squatters?

If you find a squatter on your property, the first thing you should do is contact Airbnb. They will likely suspend the squatter’s account and begin working on a resolution.

In some cases, you may need to take legal action in order to get rid of a squatter. If this is the case, it’s important to consult with a lawyer to ensure that you’re taking the appropriate steps.

While no one wants to deal with Airbnb squatters, it’s important to be aware of the problem. By taking some simple precautions and knowing what to do if you find a squatter on your property, you can help to protect yourself from this potential nightmare scenario.

Final Thoughts on Airbnb Squatters

While it’s always best to avoid Airbnb squatters altogether, sometimes they can be unavoidable. In these cases, it’s important to take quick and decisive action.

If you find a squatter on your property, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney. They will help you to file the appropriate legal action and begin the process of getting the squatter removed from your property.

You should also take some practical steps to secure your property and make it more difficult for squatters to take over. This includes changing the locks regularly and installing security cameras or a security system.

Finally, be sure to contact Airbnb if the squatter was a booked guest. They may be able to offer additional support and help to resolve the situation.

While it’s never a pleasant experience, with some quick action, you can get rid of squatters and take back control of your home.

Other articles you might enjoy:

• How to Manage an Airbnb Remotely: It’s Actually Easy
• Can Airbnb Hosts Cancel? Everything Great Hosts Need to Know
• Does Airbnb Background Check Guests? The Answer May Surprise You