Introduction
Airbnb hosting in a bustling city like London can be exciting and profitable—but it also comes with its challenges. One of the most dreaded? Messy guests. From food spills and stained linens to broken decor and unreported damages, every seasoned co-host knows how quickly a peaceful checkout can turn into a full-blown cleaning crisis.
But here’s the truth: messy guests don’t have to cost you your 5-star reputation.
Elite co-hosts across London have developed smart, powerful strategies to handle these situations without losing their cool—or their precious Superhost status. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 5 powerful strategies to deal with messy guests like a pro, helping you maintain calm, protect your property, and still deliver a 5-star experience for the next guest.
Strategy 1: Set the Standard with Clear House Rules and Pre-Arrival Messaging
Why It Matters
The foundation of a clean Airbnb starts before the guest even checks in. The clearer your expectations, the better your chances of avoiding chaos. Top co-hosts don’t wait for messes—they prevent them.
Pro Tips:
- Create a House Manual that includes your cleanliness expectations. For example: “Please dispose of rubbish before checkout” or “No food in the bedrooms.”
- Use automated messages via platforms like Hospitable or Smartbnb to remind guests of cleanliness standards a day before checkout.
- Make sure your listing includes notes like “Respectful of space” or “Clean and considerate guests preferred.”
Real-Life Example:
Samantha, a co-host in Camden, added one simple sentence to her welcome message:
“Please help us keep the flat beautiful for future guests by tidying up after yourself.”
That small nudge drastically reduced the number of messy stays she had.
Strategy 2: Arm Yourself with a Post-Checkout Inspection Routine
Why It Matters
After checkout, you only have a small window to inspect, clean, and reset the property. A thorough inspection catches damage and messes early, giving you time to react fast and avoid bigger problems.
Pro Tips:
- Develop a 30-minute post-checkout checklist that includes:
- Inspecting high-mess zones: kitchen, bathroom, and beds.
- Taking time-stamped photos of any damages or excessive dirt.
- Use this data for:
- Airbnb damage claims
- Cleaning team coordination
- Future guest screening
Real-Life Example:
Carlos, who manages multiple properties in Southwark, trains his cleaners to take 5 photos of the flat before and after each clean. This has helped him win over 95% of cleaning fee disputes.
Strategy 3: Build a Dream Cleaning Team (And Treat Them Like Gold)
Why It Matters
The best co-hosts know that behind every 5-star cleaning review is a superstar cleaning crew. Messy guests can destroy your schedule, but a responsive, detail-oriented cleaning team can bring things back to life.
Pro Tips:
- Hire cleaners with Airbnb-specific experience. They’ll understand turnover timing, staging, and guest expectations.
- Offer bonuses for quick turnaround in messy situations.
- Keep communication open—send photos of messes so they know what to expect.
Tech Tip:
Use apps like Turno or Breezeway to assign tasks, document cleaning, and share photos with your team instantly.
Real-Life Example:
Emma, a Notting Hill co-host, offers a £10 bonus for last-minute messy cleans. Her team is so responsive that even surprise messes are handled before guests arrive—earning her 100% 5-star cleanliness reviews in 2024.
Strategy 4: Know When (and How) to Charge Extra Fees
Why It Matters
Airbnb allows hosts to request extra cleaning fees if a guest leaves the property in unreasonable condition. But many co-hosts don’t know how to do it effectively—or fear guest retaliation.
Pro Tips:
- Document everything: Photos are your best defense. Take time-stamped images immediately after checkout.
- Be polite but firm in your request. Say:
“Thank you for staying. We noticed the property required additional cleaning beyond normal use. We’ve submitted a request to cover the added cost. Please let us know if you have any questions.” - Submit claims within 14 days of checkout or before the next guest checks in—whichever comes first.
What You Can Charge For:
- Excessive trash
- Unreported pet mess
- Food or drink stains on bedding or carpets
- Dirty dishes left piled up (especially if specified in your rules)
Real-Life Example:
Ben, a co-host in Shoreditch, successfully recovered £75 for wine-stained sheets. His polite tone and organized evidence helped avoid any guest backlash—and Airbnb approved his claim in 24 hours.
Strategy 5: Build Guest-Proof Systems That Prevent Repeat Problems
Why It Matters
Smart co-hosts don’t just clean up—they build systems to make sure the mess doesn’t happen again. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
Pro Tips:
- Provide trash bins in every room, and make sure they’re labeled.
- Use washable, stain-resistant linens. Brands like Utopia or Mellanni are affordable and designed for short-term rentals.
- Install removable waterproof mattress protectors and pillowcases.
- Use wall-mounted dispensers for soap, shampoo, and even coffee to avoid spills and clutter.
Bonus Tip:
Place a small sign in key areas like the kitchen and bathroom with friendly reminders:
“Help us keep the place fresh for the next guest—thanks for tidying up!”
Real-Life Example:
Alex, who runs a two-bed Airbnb in Battersea, added small trash bins in bedrooms and a quick “checkout tidy list” on the back of the door. Mess complaints dropped by 60%, and guest reviews improved instantly.
Bonus: How to Mentally Handle the Stress of Messy Guests
Even the best co-hosts will encounter a nightmare guest eventually. Instead of taking it personally, top pros learn to detach and respond logically.
Mental Health Tips for Co-hosts:
- Create space between checkouts. If possible, don’t accept same-day bookings for properties with a history of heavy cleaning.
- Talk to other co-hosts. Join Facebook groups or Airbnb forums to vent, learn, and share.
- Focus on the big picture. One bad guest won’t ruin your business—but how you handle it might define your reputation.
Conclusion: You’re the Calm in the Chaos
Messy guests are inevitable. But 5-star co-hosts don’t panic—they prepare, inspect, and respond like pros. These 5 powerful strategies can turn even the dirtiest checkout into a minor hiccup rather than a full-blown disaster.
Remember, every successful Airbnb operation in London isn’t built on perfection—it’s built on systems, smart decisions, and staying cool under pressure.
So the next time a guest leaves behind a mess, don’t stress. Take a deep breath, grab your checklist, and handle it like the elite co-host you are.