Airbnb is a global platform where people rent their homes to travelers. Safety is very important because strangers stay in private homes. Many people ask, “Does Airbnb do criminal background checks?” The answer is both yes and no. Airbnb checks some people, but not everyone, and rules change by country.
From our own experience at STR Assistance, managing properties across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, we see daily how important guest screening really is. Airbnb provides identity verification and runs checks in specific regions, but this process has its limits. That’s why we don’t rely only on Airbnb’s built-in system. Instead, we apply additional manual and automated screening methods based on our operational expertise. This article explains how Airbnb checks hosts and guests, its limits, and how you can stay safe.
How Airbnb Checks Hosts?
Hosts on Airbnb usually get more checks than guests. Airbnb wants to make sure hosts are safe because they welcome guests into their homes. In some countries, Airbnb does deep criminal checks for hosts. In all places, hosts must prove who they are with ID and other documents.
Deep Criminal Checks in Some Countries
In the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and India, Airbnb does strong criminal background checks for hosts. They look at:
- National and local criminal records
- Sex offender registries
- Watchlists for safety risks
Airbnb works with companies that specialize in these checks. In Europe, rules are stricter, so checks may be less deep. In many other countries, Airbnb may not do full criminal checks but still verifies identity.
Identity Verification for All Hosts
Every host, no matter where they live, must prove their identity. This includes:
- Uploading a government ID (passport, driver’s license)
- Matching photos to ID using technology
- Verifying email and phone number
- Providing payment details for receiving money
These steps help Airbnb know hosts are real people, even if full criminal checks are not done.
What Can Stop Someone from Hosting?
If Airbnb finds serious problems, a person cannot become a host. Reasons include:
- Being on a sex offender registry
- Violent crimes like assault or domestic violence
- Serious recent drug crimes
- Terrorism or hate crime records
- Major property crimes like arson or burglary
Airbnb looks at how old the crime is and if the person shows they have changed. Not all past mistakes stop someone from hosting.
How Airbnb Checks Guests?
Guest checks on Airbnb are different and usually less strict. Most guests do not get full criminal background checks. Airbnb focuses more on verifying who guests say they are. In some countries, Airbnb does more checks for guests, especially for first-time bookings or expensive stays.
Identity Checks for All Guests
Every guest must prove basic identity. This includes:
- Verifying email address
- Verifying phone number with code
- Adding a profile photo
- Paying with a valid credit card or method
For stronger verification, guests may need to upload a government ID. Airbnb compares the ID photo to a selfie to make sure they match. This process reduces fake accounts and helps hosts trust guests.
When Guests May Get Background Checks
Airbnb sometimes does criminal checks for guests, but only in special cases. This happens when:
- Guests book long stays (over 28 days)
- Booking expensive or high-risk properties
- Guests are from countries with stricter rules (like the US or India)
- Hosts request extra verification
- There are previous safety concerns
These checks look at public records for serious crimes. But even then, Airbnb does not check everything, and the process is not the same everywhere.
Crimes That May Block Guests
Serious crimes can stop someone from booking on Airbnb. These include:
- Violent crimes (assault, robbery, murder)
- Being on a sex offender registry
- Serious property crimes (burglary, vandalism)
- Terrorism-related offenses
- Recent major drug crimes
Airbnb decides based on how serious the crime is, when it happened, and if the person has changed. Minor or old crimes may not stop a person from booking.
Limitations of Airbnb’s Background Checks
Airbnb’s background checks are not perfect. There are many limits because of laws, technology, and how the system works. People should know these limits to understand how safe the platform really is.
1. Geographic Limits
Airbnb can only do background checks in some countries. This is because laws and databases are different everywhere. Checks are strong in the US, Canada, UK, and some European countries. In many places like Asia, Africa, and South America, checks are weak or not done at all. Airbnb still lets people from these places join, but without strong criminal screening.
2. Time Limits
Airbnb does not look at a person’s whole history. In the US, they usually check only the last 7 years. Some states have even shorter periods. This means crimes older than 7 years may not show up. In other countries, the look-back time changes but is rarely more than 10 years. Juvenile records are almost never checked. Because of this, a person with a serious crime long ago may still pass the check.
3. Types of Crimes Not Checked
Airbnb does not check for all crimes. They focus on serious and violent crimes. But they may not check for:
- Minor drug crimes (like marijuana possession)
- DUI or drunk driving without injury
- Non-violent misdemeanors (disorderly conduct)
- White-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement)
- Restraining orders or personal disputes
These types of offenses may still be in a person’s past but not show up in Airbnb’s screening.
4. Verification Process Limits
The way Airbnb checks people also has problems. Users give their own names and information, which can be changed or hidden. Airbnb does not always check for nicknames, maiden names, or past names. Background checks are mostly name-based, so records under different names may be missed. Also, not all local court records are online or available for checking. Airbnb relies on digital records, so paper records or small town databases may be skipped. Finally, some people may use fake IDs or photos that pass Airbnb’s verification system.
Additional Safety Features
Airbnb knows its background checks have limits. So, the company uses other tools to help keep people safe. These features work together to protect hosts and guests.
Review System: One of Airbnb’s strongest safety tools is the review system. After every stay, guests and hosts write honest reviews about each other. Over time, people build reputations based on these reviews. Good reviews show trust, while bad reviews or warnings can alert others to problems. This system creates accountability because both hosts and guests want to keep good ratings.
Identity Verification: Airbnb uses identity verification to make sure people are who they say they are. This includes checking government IDs, matching photos, and verifying email and phone numbers. While it does not stop all risks, it reduces fake accounts and helps people feel safer. Verified profiles give hosts and guests more confidence when booking.
Payment and Booking Controls: Airbnb controls payments and bookings to reduce risk. Guests must pay with valid credit cards, which adds another layer of verification. Hosts can also choose who stays by accepting or declining booking requests. They can set house rules, require verified guests, or refuse people they do not feel comfortable with. This gives hosts control over their guests.
Safety Tools and Insurance: Airbnb provides safety tools and insurance to protect users. They offer a 24/7 emergency support line for both hosts and guests. The company also has the Host Guarantee, which protects hosts with up to $1 million for property damage. Additionally, Airbnb encourages hosts to install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and security cameras in public areas to increase safety.
Recent Policy Changes
Airbnb has changed its safety policies in the last few years. These changes are to make the platform safer for everyone. The company now does more background checks and stronger identity verification. They also introduced new rules to stop parties and reduce accidents.
Expanded Background Checks: Recently, Airbnb started doing more background checks. In 2022, they began screening more hosts in countries like Germany, France, and Spain. They also started checking more guests in the US and India. Airbnb uses third-party companies to make these checks stronger and more reliable. The goal is to catch safety risks earlier.
Stricter Identity Verification: Airbnb has made identity checks stricter. Now, more people must upload government IDs, especially for expensive bookings or long stays. The company also uses technology to compare profile photos with ID photos. If pictures do not match, users may be blocked. These changes help reduce fake accounts and increase trust.
New Community Standards: Airbnb created new rules to keep communities safe. They now have a strict no-party policy in many places to stop large, unsafe gatherings. The company also requires hosts to have proper safety equipment like smoke alarms. Airbnb encourages longer stays because guests staying more than 28 days are often seen as safer and more trusted. These rules show Airbnb’s focus on improving safety.
How Airbnb Compares to Others
Airbnb’s background check system is not the same as what other companies use. Each platform has its own way of handling safety and identity. From our work at STR Assistance, where we manage listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, we see every day how these differences show up in real hosting.
Airbnb vs Vrbo
Airbnb generally has stronger identity checks than Vrbo. Every Airbnb host and guest must verify their identity, and in some regions, Airbnb runs deeper criminal checks. Vrbo, however, focuses more on family-style rentals and does not require the same level of verification. In fact, Vrbo does not run background checks in most cases, which means hosts often need to do their own guest screening to feel secure.
Airbnb vs Booking.com
Booking.com works differently. Many bookings are confirmed with only payment details, and background checks are almost never part of the process. This makes booking fast, but also leaves gaps in safety. Compared to Airbnb, which requires more identity checks, Booking.com’s process is lighter. As we explain in our article on Booking.com background checks, hosts relying only on the platform’s system often have less control over who stays.
Airbnb vs Hotels
Hotels rarely run background checks on their guests. They rely on credit card validation, on-site staff, and security systems. Airbnb, on the other hand, needs stronger ID checks because guests are staying in private homes, not monitored hotels. For a deeper look at Airbnb’s process, see our guide: Does Airbnb do background checks?.
Airbnb vs Other Short-Term Rental Companies
Some STR companies, like Sonder or Vacasa, use hotel-style operations with check-in staff or security steps, which can make guest screening stricter. Airbnb is more flexible and open, which helps growth but also creates risks. That’s why we often recommend combining Airbnb’s own tools with additional screening. For a full side-by-side breakdown of how Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com compare, see our guide: Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com: Who Screens Guests Best?.
How STR Assistance Can Help You With Guest Screening for Airbnb
Need Manual Guest Screening?
Protect your property from risks with streamlined screening, using both manual checks and automated tools for reliable bookings.
At STR Assistance, we are a short-term rental virtual assistant company. One of the main services we provide is Airbnb virtual assistants who help hosts with guest screening. From our daily work managing bookings across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, we see that Airbnb’s own checks are helpful but not always complete.
This is why our team adds another layer of review. We look at guest profiles, past reviews, and booking details, and when needed, we run extra checks to confirm everything looks safe. Our virtual assistants are trained to notice warning signs that may not show up in Airbnb’s system. By combining Airbnb’s rules with our experience, we help hosts avoid risky reservations and welcome guests they can trust.
For hosts, this means less worry, fewer problems, and a smoother hosting experience. Guest screening is not just about security—it protects your property, your neighbors, and your Airbnb reputation. With STR Assistance, you have a dedicated Airbnb virtual assistant making sure every guest is checked with care before they arrive.
Final Thoughts and Tips
Airbnb does check some people, but not everyone. Hosts usually get more thorough checks, while guests get basic identity verification. Background checks have limits because of laws and technology. To stay safe, both hosts and guests should use extra caution and trust their instincts.
Summary of Airbnb’s Checks
Airbnb checks hosts more deeply, especially in countries like the US and UK. All hosts must prove their identity. Guests get basic identity checks everywhere, but criminal checks only happen sometimes and mostly in the US and India. Background checks are limited by geography, time, and type of crime. Airbnb fills some gaps with reviews, identity verification, and payment controls.
Tips for Guests
- Read host reviews carefully
- Choose hosts with many positive reviews
- Pick listings with verified hosts
- Ask hosts questions before booking
- Trust your feelings—if something seems off, look elsewhere
Tips for Hosts
- Accept guests with good reviews
- Choose guests with verified profiles
- Communicate clearly before arrival
- Use security cameras in public areas for safety
- Trust your feelings—if something seems off, look elsewhere
Remember, No system is perfect. Background checks are only one part of staying safe. Always use reviews, communication, and good judgment. If you feel uncomfortable, you have the right to cancel or decline. Staying cautious and informed is the best way to have a safe and positive Airbnb experience.
