The Ultimate Guide to Securing Your Rental: 5 Ways to Prevent Airbnb Squatters

Airbnb squatters may not be a common problem. However, they can be a massive pain to deal with once you encounter one. Some hosts even fight them for months before they can get them to leave.

Fortunately, we haven’t encountered any squatters ourselves despite running over 25 Airbnb rentals. But we aren’t going to wait until we come across one before doing something about it, and you shouldn’t, too. So, here are X key tips on how you can prevent and protect your rental from Airbnb squatters.

What Are Airbnb Squatters

To keep things clear, Airbnb squatters are guests who overstay their welcome. This behavior turns what ought to be a simple hosting experience into a nightmare for most hosts.

People do it for all sorts of reasons. Some view it as a chance to take advantage of legal loopholes, while others have personal issues they weren't expecting that prevent them from departing.

There are two main types of Airbnb squatters:

One type involves those sneaky people who slip into an empty place in between guest bookings. This can happen if a property isn't closely monitored, which is where these squatters get a foothold.

The second type comes from longer-term bookings, where guests stay a month or more, which can be a red flag. Long-term stays seem like a good deal for hosts at first. However, they can also lead to guests overstaying their welcome, challenging house rules, or disregarding maximum stay limits and quiet hours.

Understanding Airbnb Squatters Rights

It's important that property owners know squatters' rights. In some areas, long-term residents can acquire tenant rights. This puts property hosts in a bind. Imagine it’s a guest who’s meant to stay for a weekend but just doesn’t leave. It may surprise some hosts to learn the legality of these laws protecting squatters can get a bit messy.

Most states within the US have a Things get trickier when these guests acquire “30-day squatters rights.” This right kicks in when a guest occupies a property for 30 days or more. It provides the guest with certain legal protections that can be hard to refute.

When squatters spend months or even years living on a property, shooing them away becomes harder, further delaying the case in court. Even some of the most creative ways of getting rid of squatters won’t work in these long-term cases. That's why taking preventative measures is the best way to go.

1. Recognize Potential Airbnb Squatter Warning Signs

One of the easiest ways to avoid squatters is by catching potential ones early on. You might even want to reject their bookings in extreme cases. Here are some of the red flags that we’ve learned to keep an eye on.

Requests for Long Stays

If a guest wants a stay that's longer than normal, it might be a red flag. Most genuine guests don’t like to stay for long, flexible durations, unless in rare cases. As we’ve mentioned, Squatters Rights start to kick in after 30 days. For this exact reason, squatters may try to reach 30 days or more, which can grant them tenant rights and make it harder to remove them.

We know how tempting it can be to accommodate these requests, especially for the easy cash bag, but it’s almost always not a good idea. If you want to protect your property, create and enforce maximum stay limits and be suspicious of enticing long-term offers.

Suspicious Booking Patterns

Keep an eye out for unusual booking patterns, such as often last-minute bookings or those that fit perfectly between other reservations. These patterns may also reflect a person attempting to find a loophole. Squatters frequently take advantage of these holes, so monitor your booking calendar to catch them.

Of course, this isn’t always going to be the case, especially if you have a dynamic pricing tool offering discounts for orphan days. But we advise you to be wary of repeat customers who always book those last-minute deals.

Avoidance of ID Verification

A guest who avoids ID verification may be hiding something. Genuine guests typically don’t mind revealing who they are. If anyone resists this step, it might be an indicator that they are planning something devious. Whether it be squatting on your Airbnb, stealing something from your property, or something else entirely. Make sure to have routine ID checks as part of your screening to keep your rental secure.

Incomplete Guest Profiles

A thin or incomplete guest profile can spell trouble. Most Airbnb guests take time filling out their profiles, adding photos, contacts, and other detailed info. A lack of it might indicate they’re concealing their true identity or purpose. Always check and verify guest profiles before accepting a booking.

Frequent Reservation Changes

One strategy that some squatters might try to pull off is to constantly change their minds about their booking schedule. It’s a tactic to muddy the booking calendar and make longer-term stays possible. They can also try to confuse you with different dates and bookings. Stay up to date about these changes and be clear when communicating with guests who regularly change their minds.

Unusual Guest Requests

If a guest requests something strange or excessive, like changing locks or installing fixtures, then that’s probably one of the biggest red flags you can get. We know how ridiculous this can sound, but some people just have a way of convincing you to do things.

They can reason out whether it’s a broken lock or straight out manipulate you into giving in to their demands. These actions could signal they are seeking to establish residency. Be suspicious of renters who demand too much authority over your property.

2. Implement Effective Guest Screening Methods

When you’re renting out your place on Airbnb, screening guests is crucial. It's like the first line of defense against would-be squatters, scammers, and bad people in general. No one is safe these days, so let’s talk about some great ways to make sure that you get real, safe guests.

Conduct Thorough Background Checks

It's important to do your due diligence. That means collecting as much information about potential guests as possible. Investigate their profiles, make sure there are no red flags, and maybe even reach out to previous hosts for feedback; this is where Airbnb host reviews can come in handy.

Check out what other hosts had to say about the guest and whether they caused any trouble. Low-rated guests could be a huge red flag, and we’d recommend staying away from them if possible.

Verify Government-Issued Identification

Next, make sure to confirm their identity through a government-issued ID. This is just an extra step to ensure that they are actually who they say they are. While platforms like Airbnb already have systems that verify identities, it’s still best to be on the safe side.

Some property management systems or guest messaging platforms have built-in guest verification measures. If you’re using one that supports it, make sure to set them up and take advantage of it to secure your rental.

Evaluate Guest Reviews and History

Finally, check out guest reviews and history. Almost every short-term rental platform out there provides sections for reviews and ratings that can provide insight into a guest’s history.

Read what other hosts have to say about them. Have they had a good experience with this guest? Are there any recurring issues? Reviews can be telling. You get to see the experience you could potentially have. You might be better off passing on guests that often end up with bad ratings.

3. Implement Preventive Strategies

The next key is having detailed preventive measures in place. This is especially beneficial for those offering direct bookings since platforms like Airbnb cannot help you in these cases.

Sign a Detailed Rental Agreement

Drafting a detailed rental agreement is one of the best ways to protect your property and prevent Airbnb squatters. You want to ensure the agreement covers every detail about the stay. Add details about the rental duration, payment terms, house rules, and guest expectations.

A detailed rental agreement can head off misunderstandings and give you a legal backup if things go south. If guests breach the maximum number of nights or the silent hours, you have the evidence to support your arguments. This evidence helps you enforce the rules effectively. Familiarize yourself with Airbnb's terms and conditions around guest behavior and rental contract cancellation policies. This knowledge guide can help you ensure your agreement matches platform standards.

Request a Security Deposit

Another good idea is to ask for a security deposit. This deposit acts as a financial cushion, providing reimbursement for any damages or rule infringements. It may seem strange at first, but it’s standard practice and will prevent you from swallowing a lot of headaches later.

Asking for an upfront deposit also signals that you're serious about property maintenance. You can process this through Airbnb's platform, which gives you another level of security and guest verification. If you're worried about how guests will react, share the intention behind the deposit. This transparency helps establish trust and shows that you care about each other’s interests. Properly explain to them that the full amount will be returned to them once they leave the property.

Limit Stay Duration

To keep guests from lingering too long, you must define the length of their stay. This is especially important since guests who stay for 30 days or longer can gain squatter's rights in many areas. This situation makes the eviction process extremely difficult. Build this threshold into your house rules and be upfront with potential renters. Enforce your stay limits consistently to keep your property in line.

Schedule Regular Property Check-Ins

As we’ve mentioned earlier, one type of squatter is those that slip into empty places that aren’t closely monitored. Making regular visits can deter potential squatters by reinforcing that you're actively managing the space.

You might also want to visit the property even when your guests are there. Regular check-ins aren't simply about keeping tabs on your property. They allow you to demonstrate your presence and connect with your guests.

Consider smart locks and self-check-in options to make it easy but secure. Schedule these check-ins at intervals that feel natural — like midway through a stay or during a cleaning service. This gives you a chance to address any issues and ensure house rules are being followed. Of course, make sure that you give them a heads-up that you are going to visit.

4. Leverage Technology for Protection

Use Automation Tools for Screening

There are lots of available tools that streamline the screening process for potential guests. This saves you time and reduces the risk of accepting a questionable guest.

Platforms like Autohost offer automated screening solutions. They quickly verify guest information and compare it to databases to find potential risks. This hands-on approach keeps your place safe. It also promotes the guest experience to help them feel comfortable and relaxed throughout their stay.

Apply AI-Based Guest Filtering

Another effective way is to implement AI-based guest filtering. That includes using sophisticated technology to scan guest profiles and bookings to detect any oddities or threats. AI systems can quickly analyze massive datasets. They offer insights that would take humans far longer to discover. Again, Autohost has similar features in place if you’re looking for a viable option.

Using Smart Devices

Using smart home devices, like security cameras and smart locks, let you check on your property in real time. You can receive alerts about unauthorized access attempts and even remotely control entry to your home.

Install CCTVs to deter intruders and squatters from accessing your vacant apartment. Setting up surveillance cameras with motion-activated lighting can also discourage squatters. Plus, these cameras offer pivotal evidence if an incident occurs. Just make sure to inform your guests of the cameras within the rental since these are a part of Airbnb’s new CCTV rules.

5. Obtain Insurance for Vacation Rentals

The right insurance coverage could prevent you from losing thousands of dollars and unnecessary stress from squatters. There are specific insurance providers that allow you to obtain insurance that explicitly covers issues like squatters on your vacation rental property. This specialized coverage protects your business revenue from losses. It also covers any actual expenses you incur in these situations, and there's no deductible.

We know that this can be a more extreme solution and add to your expenses. But if squatters are prevalent in your area, it’s definitely worth considering adding rental insurance with squatter protection included.

Wrapping Things Up

Dealing with squatters is a huge pain. So, why wait for it to happen, right? Implement these 5 different ways to prevent squatters and secure your Airbnb today. You know what they say, “Prevention is better than cure.”

If you’re considering starting out your own Airbnb rental or just looking for a new addition to your portfolio, we suggest checking out our BNBCalc property analysis tool to give you an insight into properties on your radar. It can help you make data-driven decisions based on what active rentals are already earning, allowing you to get an idea of not only revenue but also expenses and paint a fuller picture of your potential investment.