Airbnb community standards—why does Airbnb suspend listings?

At the heart of Airbnb's ethos lies a commitment to creating a welcoming and secure community for both hosts and guests. Understanding and adhering to Airbnb's community standards and policies ensures that your Airbnb listing does not get suspend and remains a top choice for travellers. Let's dive into the essentials, shall we?

Airbnb community standards and how its enforced

Airbnb enforces its standards and policies through a clear, three-step process:

1. Initially, hosts receive a friendly warning to address any concerns
2. Should issues persist, a temporary suspension might follow, making the listing invisible in searches and blocking new bookings
3. In rare cases, non-compliance could lead to permanent removal from the platform, and you'll have to file an appeal.

The key to avoiding these steps are maintaining high ratings, being responsive, accepting bookings readily, and minimising cancellations.

Why is my Airbnb listing suspended?

The essence of Airbnb's platform is to offer guests a seamless and comfortable stay. This means:

• Responsiveness: Reply to guests and reservation inquiries within 24 hours.
• Welcoming bookings: Accept guests' booking requests to make them feel at home.
• Minimising cancellations: Recognise the impact of cancellations on guests' plans and avoid them.
• Upholding quality: Strive for top ratings by offering consistent quality and providing essential amenities.

Airbnb also encourages hosts to stock up on essentials like toilet paper, soap, towels, linens, and pillows to make guests feel at home. At Hometime, we take it a step further by teaming up with local businesses to sprinkle a bit of local flair into our properties. This could mean anything from stocking up on the local blend of tea and coffee to leaving fresh bread, milk, and even a bottle of local wine for guests to enjoy.

If there are any hosting violations regarding Airbnb community standards during a guest's stay, Airbnb will issue warnings and remind Airbnb hosts about the policies. In cases of repeated or severe violations, Airbnb may temporarily suspend your listing.

‍Airbnb’s five-step cleaning protocol

In light of health and safety, one of the key factors in guest stays is the cleanliness of the Airbnb property. Keeping on top of cleaning and property maintenance can help you avoid getting your Airbnb listing suspended.

Refer to Airbnb's enhanced cleaning protocol below:

1. Prepare: Proper preparation ensures efficiency and safety during cleaning.
2. Clean: Tackle dust and dirt on all surfaces, including floors and countertops.
3. Sanitise: Use disinfectants with at least 70% alcohol on high-touch areas.
4. Check: Employ a room checklist to ensure thorough cleaning and sanitisation.
5. Reset: Ready the space for new arrivals by preventing cross-contamination.

Airbnb's cleaning handbook also has a full cleaning checklist and guide on how you can clean each room. This guide underscores Airbnb's commitment to guest safety, enhancing trust and satisfaction.

What happens if my Airbnb listing is suspended?

While your listing is suspended, it will not appear in search results and you cannot receive any new bookings until the suspension is lifted. However, current and upcoming reservations will not be impacted by the suspension — you can continue to host them even during the suspension period.

To check if your Airbnb listing was suspended, go to Airbnb, click Insights, then Listing Issues.

Note that if your Airbnb property continues to be reported even after the suspension, Airbnb may remove it from the platform entirely.

‍How to appeal an Airbnb suspension and listing removal

Once the suspension period is over, you'll have the opportunity to reactivate your listing. You may also be asked to provide evidence that the reported issues have been fixed.

If your listing faces suspension that you don’t agree with, Airbnb provides a fair process to appeal and potentially reactivate your space:

1. Preparation: Gather information about your listing and any reservations impacted by the suspension.
2. Identify the Review: Pinpoint the review or issue that triggered the suspension, focusing on specifics that contravene Airbnb's content policies.
3. Choose your policy: Select the applicable review policy your appeal falls under, such as violation of content policy, irrelevancy, or fraudulent content.
4. Submit your appeal: Use Airbnb's suspension appeal form, providing detailed information to support your case, including the listing name and reservation codes.

Remember, not all circumstances will sway Airbnb's decision. It's crucial to familiarise yourself with the types of appeals that Airbnb will consider, ensuring your effort aligns with their guidelines.

Hometime's Airbnb management services in Australia can help you avoid listing suspensions and removals

Airbnb enriches hosts with a plethora of resources, including guides that spotlight the journeys of Superhosts, uncover local travel trends, and offer actionable hosting advice. These resources are invaluable for hosts aiming to elevate their Airbnb presence in Australia and New Zealand. View the Airbnb Australia and New Zealand Airbnb guides and resources here.

Elevate your Airbnb hosting experience with Hometime's expert guidance. Our partnership approach and local insights can help you navigate the ins and outs of short term rental management, transforming your property into a standout listing. Our property management services in Australia include:

• Property onboarding
• Listing optimisation
• ‍Property styling and photography
• Dynamic pricing strategy
  
• Airbnb cleaning services
  
• Guest communication and management
  
• Property maintenance