Getting sick is definitely one of the downfalls of hosting! But what do you do when you get sick as an Airbnb host? What if you already have guests booked on your calendar? What happens when guests are already at your home? In most cases, you pretty much just have to deal with it. Wish I had better news! There are extenuating circumstances especially now with things like COVID going around where you can cancel reservations without penalty. However, most situations don’t apply. Typically, if you’re not feeling well you will simply just have to deal with the unwelcome guests during this time.
With all this talk about the COVID-19, the subject matter of being a sick host is definitely a topic worth investigating. All Airbnb hosts are human beings. Should you host for long enough bookings are bound to arise when you are sick and people are staying in your home. This article explores the day in the life of a sick host. It also covers the latest actions (as of its publication) that Airbnb is taking to help keep hosts and guests healthy.
First Things First
Let’s talk about the news. Whether you have stocked up on Purell and TP or believe the illness is mostly hype, it is affecting almost all of us in some fashion, especially those of us traveling or coming into contact with others traveling. Airbnb recently sent out emails to all hosts speaking to a policy they recently activated called the Extenuating Circumstances Policy. This policy aims to support both guests and hosts bookings/listings affected by the Corona Virus.
Either party (guest or host) has the option to cancel their reservation without receiving any penalties or fees if the listing is in one of the pre-identified areas. At this time Mainland China, South Korea, and certain parts of Italy are the areas included. Hopefully the list will end there, but should this virus continue to spread Airbnb has stated that it will update this policy as the virus progresses. With how this virus is going, we just have to take it day-by-day.
It is important to note that this policy specifically speaks to the fact that the only listings that fall under the Extenuating Circumstances Policy are those that happen to be in the severely impacted areas. At the time of this post, this only includes the 3 countries mentioned above. We all know tons of outbreaks are happening globally, but unless the location is extreme Airbnb is going to hold you to your booking. Should your listing be in a city with multiple outbreaks, but not yet on the list, you will still be required to honor the reservation. This holds true for both the host and the guest. Cancelling a booking as a host could leave you subject to penalties as stated on the Airbnb platform.
So what happens if I am just regular sick?
This actually happened to me over the weekend. I suddenly became sick as an Airbnb host Unfortunately, I am a constant sufferer of seasonal allergies. Twice a year they completely take me out with a bacterial sinus infection. I get completely warn out and become useless until I am able to get antibiotics prescribed to me. (If anyone knows of any solutions to this I am all ears) This time around I was extra concerned for my guests. With all the Corona hysteria happening, I did not want to make my guests feel uncomfortable in case they confused my sinus infection for a Corona Virus outbreak.
Unfortunately, this has not been the only time I have been under the weather while hosting. Being sick can be quite uncomfortable as well as awkward. All you want to do is to be left alone on your own enjoy the comfort of your own home. If you normally allow access to the to common areas you will still have to deal with these guests using these areas when you’re not feeling well. Remember, your guests have every right to be in the common areas of your home if that is how your listing is represented. The access areas and ground rules must remain the same as they were advertised at the time of the booking.
What my Options as a Host?
As stated above, after a booking is set you are expected to keep up your end of the bargain. This holds true even if you get sick as an Airbnb host. Should you opt to cancel, the penalties are steep. Please consider the Airbnb Cancellation policy before making any decisions. At this point in time, no known cases have developed where an Airbnb host or guest has contracted the virus. If that happens, expect further policy modifications.
In the meantime, you may want to bulk up on extra soap and hand sanitizer. Supply guests with paper towels instead of actual towels to lessen the spread of germs. Also please see the post Cleaning, Cleaning, and More Cleaning to ensure that you have uncovered every single looking cranny to offer a healthy home. Whatever you do, try to stay safe out there and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your temporary guests.