Hi all – new to PeerSpace and renting my personal condo/home where my photo + video studio is located. I recently had my first two bookings come through – one by a gentleman with a newly created profile whose photo was him in a mask. I had “Instant Book” turned on (have since disabled) and requested an additional form of identification from him + a bit more info about the shoot. With no formalized way to confirm someone is who they say they are, how do you approach personal safety (especially in your own home)? I’m surprised there is no identification outside of phone + email. Any advice appreciated!
This is my response for “Newbie Hosting” just asked the other day:
“I ask for their name and any reviews they can offer ( some are established on other sites). If they don’t have any, I ask for something online that identifies them. I also ask for outline of production and names of those coming to the property. If they aren’t legit they never respond past that. Like the others say, go with your gut feeling. I always give people a chance so I respond to them and the suspicious ones don’t even respond with any info. The scammers/flighty ones almost never book elsewhere on the platform ( only one I have seen book on this platform). This platform is open to “bad people” but if you ask questions, they move on to someone who just rents to anyone”.
I’d also tell the renter that I’d want to see state issued ID at start of rental. Whether or not you actually plan on seeing it or not but scammers/ fraudsters will not agree to that.
Bottom line if you do not feel secure with having a stranger in your home, decline the rental.