Vetting MTR guests

[Nikky Jarvis]

I have been getting requests from guests on VRBO for extended stays  - up to 5 months. I've only used Furnished Finders to vet guests on that platform, and wondered what suggestions anyone has about MTR guests through VRBO. I'm presently hosting my first MTR guest who came through Furnished Finders so all the background checks and payments were handled on that platform. I've only had short term guests through VRBO and did not have require background checks. Any recommendation is welcome.

Thank you in advance!

[Lindsey Mannix]

Hi Nikky,

I handle stays over 28 days in any of my STR and MTR properties like I do my LTR properties - background and credit check required, minimum income requirements and they sign a lease.

~ Lindsey

[Allen Duan]

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

[Nikky Jarvis]

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

 Thank you so much for your response. 

[Nikky Jarvis]

Quote from @Lindsey Mannix:

Hi Nikky,

I handle stays over 28 days in any of my STR and MTR properties like I do my LTR properties - background and credit check required, minimum income requirements and they sign a lease.

~ Lindsey

 Thanks for your response and for the information.

[Bonnie Low]

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

[Nikky Jarvis]

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

Yes, I inform them that they will sign a lease. Some people stop responding when they are informed about background checks/credit checks requirement.

[Bonnie Low]

Quote from @Nikky Jarvis:

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

Yes, I inform them that they will sign a lease. Some people stop responding when they are informed about background checks/credit checks requirement.

 My question was actually for Allen Duan but I'm glad you get a lease signed. Those that run away from the background and credit checks are probably ones you don't want anyway : )

[Allen Duan]

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

 Hi Bonnie, we do sometimes but not always. You definitely can require a lease for Airbnb bookings. Sometimes Airbnb guests find it unusual, so you may lose some potential bookings with the requirement.

[Bonnie Low]

Quote from @Allen Duan:

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

 Hi Bonnie, we do sometimes but not always. You definitely can require a lease for Airbnb bookings. Sometimes Airbnb guests find it unusual, so you may lose some potential bookings with the requirement.

 Thanks, Allen. At what point do you introduce the lease when you're using Airbnb? Do you mention there is a separate lease agreement in the property description? What if you accept the Airbnb booking and then they refuse to sign the lease? Do you cancel the Airbnb booking and just take the hit? I'm just curious how this works because I advertise my MTRs on FF only.

[Mose Gebremeskel]

Quote from @Lindsey Mannix:

Hi Nikky,

I handle stays over 28 days in any of my STR and MTR properties like I do my LTR properties - background and credit check required, minimum income requirements and they sign a lease.

~ Lindsey

 Agree with this!

[Nikky Jarvis]

Quote from @Nikky Jarvis:

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

Yes, I inform them that they will sign a lease. Some people stop responding when they are informed about background checks/credit checks requirement.

[Nikky Jarvis]

I think it's a great idea to include these in the house rules so potential guests/midterm renters will be clear what is expected prior to their booking. I'll ensure to update my house rule accordingly.

[Nikky Jarvis]

Quote from @Mose Gebremeskel:

Quote from @Lindsey Mannix:

Hi Nikky,

I handle stays over 28 days in any of my STR and MTR properties like I do my LTR properties - background and credit check required, minimum income requirements and they sign a lease.

~ .Lindsey

 Agree with this!

I agree too.

[Zachary Deal]

I think it really comes down to what you are comfortable with but I don't think background check, credit card check, etc on top of a signed lease (and even small security deposit) is unreasonable for an MTR. Just make sure to include the details in the house rules, etc.

[Allen Duan]

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

Quote from @Bonnie Low:

Quote from @Allen Duan:

For MTR bookings through an OTA, like VRBO or Furnished Finder, you'll have to get creative if you want to do background and credit checks. I've heard of some hosts adding to the house rules that the guests must complete those steps after booking on the OTA platform, otherwise the booking will be canceled.

At my company, we don't do background and credit checks for OTA bookings, but we do ask why they're renting a MTR and who will be staying with them. The answer to those questions is usually enough for me to know if I want to take the booking or not.

But you do have them sign a lease, right?

 Hi Bonnie, we do sometimes but not always. You definitely can require a lease for Airbnb bookings. Sometimes Airbnb guests find it unusual, so you may lose some potential bookings with the requirement.

 Thanks, Allen. At what point do you introduce the lease when you're using Airbnb? Do you mention there is a separate lease agreement in the property description? What if you accept the Airbnb booking and then they refuse to sign the lease? Do you cancel the Airbnb booking and just take the hit? I'm just curious how this works because I advertise my MTRs on FF only.

 Great questions! We don't require leases for our Airbnb bookings. I can't vouch for this myself since I haven't used this process, but I've heard others report that you can have Airbnb cancel the booking with no penalty to you if you stated that signing a lease is required upon booking. I guess it's considered breaking the house rules in Airbnb's eyes.