Neighbor Issues - Nuisance complaints and AirBnB delisting

[Steve Ford]

My BnB is one unit of a four duplex pod that shares a central driveway. It has been used as a STR for the last few years. I bought it turnkey in June. There had been no issues prior. I believe my neighbor was frustrated and was hoping that it would not continue as an STR after the sale, and so she has gone on the offensive. Rules are in place and enforced. It's a higher end STR that attracts good clientele. The PM is responsive. And the complaints have generally been about minor things (e.g., one piece of paper in the driveway), though we did have a bad guest that partied into the night and stole some of my furniture (the pulled the plug on the WiFi so noise monitoring was off). It is not part of an HOA. She has also started harassing guests.

She has taken to repeatedly complaining to AirBnB whose policy, I guess, is to immediately delist. The PM then has to contact them, provide information, and eventually get the property listed again. I don't have any expectation that I'll be able to change AirBnB policies so that they don't shut me down for the same thing over and over that's been shown to be a nuisance complaint repeatedly. So I think my next step is to send a Cease & Desist to the neighbor with the threat of holding her accountable for lost revenues. 

Anyone have any other less aggressive suggestions? Anyone have similar experiences?

[Chris Seveney]

@Steve Ford

How about pick of the phone and first have a conversation with them?

Regarding a cease and desist, what are you having them to cease and desist? If they are filing false complaints it’s one thing but if it complaining and it’s true, even if it’s minor in nature - that’s more an Airbnb issue and they know how to game the system.

Reality to is if you get them to stop whose to stop them to ask a friend etc.

Your best bet is to talk to them and find out what the Cruz of the issue is