Things You Do That Make Your Airbnb Host Hate You

Have you ever wondered if there's anything you do that makes Airbnb hosts silently roll their eyes at you? The short answer is probably yes. The long answer is ... a little more complicated. After all, what you consider a minor oversight might actually be causing significant stress and extra work for the person who welcomed you into their space. From unexpected extra guests to well-intentioned but problematic "help" with cleaning, there's a surprisingly long list of mistakes that guests make without realizing how much they impact their hosts. Thankfully, though, knowing exactly what irritates hosts can help you ditch the bad habits and transform into a truly five-star guest that hosts remember for all the right reasons.

In an exclusive, Explore spoke with Andrea — a short-term rental interior designer and creator of Mamma Mode, a lifestyle blog aimed at Airbnb hosts — about the guest behaviors that hosts find most irritating. "From dishes left unwashed to the AC running in an empty house, the list of minor annoyances can feel endless," Andrea explains.

An expert in enhancing guest stays and maximizing rental aesthetics, Andrea's expertise revolves around offering valuable insights to property owners looking to elevate their offering. With years of experience helping hosts create spaces that balance functionality with style, she's well-versed in all of the challenges hosts face when welcoming strangers into their home.

The quickest way to kick off a stay on the wrong foot is by breaking the guest count rules. "Guests often bring more people than they book for or sneak in a pet, adding a layer of stress," Andrea points out. This isn't necessarily about extra fees — it actually creates safety concerns and can violate property regulations or insurance policies. The same goes for bringing in a pet without permission; or worse, failing to clean up after them (and yourself) when they've made a mess.

That said, and here's where you might be a little surprised, there's another cleaning-related issue that frustrates Airbnb hosts: attempting to clean up a little too much. According to Andrea, "While we appreciate the effort to clean up, guests who strip the beds sometimes create more work, as it's essential for hosts to inspect linens for potential stains before tossing them in the wash." Similarly, everyday household considerations also matter more than you might think, like properly separating recycling from regular trash. "It might not seem like a big deal, but it sure adds an extra step for hosts trying to keep things green," Andrea notes. Likewise, certain behaviors (like leaving the AC and lights on when nobody's home) further contributes to energy waste — as well as increased utility costs that hosts ultimately need to absorb.

Lastly, there's also the issue with furniture arrangement and re-arrangement. After all, the sofas and tables in an Airbnb are set up that way for a very specific reason. In fact, plenty of hosts spend considerable time and money optimizing their space for functionality, aesthetics, and guest flow — and moving things only creates a reset challenge after every stay. Per Andrea's own experience, it's incredibly frustrating to see "carefully feng shui'd spaces into a furniture free-for-all!"

In short, being a great Airbnb guest starts with basic consideration. For starters, Andrea suggests several simple practices: "A little tidying up before departure, ensuring all appliances are turned off, and the property is secured can make a world of difference." Along with that, leaving the dishes clean and properly sorting your trash also demonstrates respect for the property and the host's time.

In terms of day-to-day interactions, good communication is one of the most important aspects of a well-oiled relationship with your Airbnb host. There are always a few things worth asking your Airbnb host before booking your stay, like if they have any specific house rules or expectations to prevent misunderstandings. Additionally, make sure you report any issues as they come up instead of waiting until check-out, and let your host know if you need to check-in early or leave a little later (although you might get hit with unexpected fees) with reasonable advance notice. Oh, and as for the complimentary items you'll likely find in most listings, make sure to not go too overboard. In fact, Andrea reveals that using up all available toiletries hosts leave in the property "often leaves them scrambling to restock and reset" before someone new arrives.

Finally, small gestures can leave a lasting positive impression. "A simple thank-you note can warm any host's heart, reminding us why we opened our homes in the first place," Andrea shares. This thoughtfulness — combined with following house rules and leaving the property in good condition — helps ensure you don't get turned down by Airbnb hosts and that you're remembered as a guest they'd gladly welcome back over and over again.