Hello fellow hosts,

I’m sharing our experience with the current on going situation, in hopes of advice and support - as Airbnb has been zero help.

We had a guest book our apartment for 50 nights, and everything had been going smoothly through their stay. One week before their check out date, we reached out to the guest to see if they would like to extend their stay, or if they plan to check out on their chekc out date. No response. We sent a few follow up messages with check out instructions- no response. The day before their check out, since we still hadn’t heard from the guest on Airbnb messages, confirming receipt of check out instructions (the messages were shown as read by guest) we texted them. They texted back saying to give them a call to dicusss the check out - which was an immediate red flag. We tried to direct them to message us on Airbnb with whatever they had to discuss - they refused. I called them, and they started by saying they won’t be checking out - rather demanding a full refund, along with 2 additional week extension. We said that won’t be possible, and reiterated the check out instructions by Airbnb message thread.

On the check out date, the guest was still present in the unit at check out time, refusing to answer the door. We called the police, showed them the Airbnb check out on the app, and the fact that guest were not responding to our messages. Unfortunately they weren’t able to remove them as the guest had told the cops they have resided in the unit for more than 30 days establishing‘residency’

The cops told us we would need to contact an attorney and these people were seasonal scammers who have likely done similar activities for free stays in higher end neighborhoods!

It’s been 5 days since the check out - we have messaged them multiple times including a legal demand notice, but they are not responding. We have made several dozen calls to Airbnb, all unsuccessful. Each time we were told to call the police and local authorities, as Airbnb reps have messaged guest as well to leave - but they won’t respond to Airbnb either.

We have contacted legal counsel and are awaiting a course of action from them. What can we do in the mean time? Will Airbnb reimburse us for the over stay? Legal cost??

Any suggestions on getting these people out? Apparently they are CEOs of a tech company working in downtown Chicago.