🎙️ Episode 2: The Guest Who Wouldn’t Leave — How to Handle Airbnb Evictions, Nightmare Guests, and Legal Loopholes

What do you do when your Airbnb guest refuses to leave?

In this episode of STR Law, I sit down with Tony Stancato, Michigan short-term rental host, investor, and property manager, to unpack a real eviction horror story that every host needs to hear. From a guest who falsely claimed allergies to ladybugs to refusing to vacate the property—despite their reservation being canceled—Tony walks us through how it all went down, how the legal system responded, and what STR hosts can do to protect themselves.

We cover:

• What to do if a guest won’t leave your Airbnb

• Whether the 30-day rule matters (hint: it’s complicated)

• What “license to use” language can—and can’t—do to protect you

• What not to do if you’re trying to avoid triple damages

• Why the police may not help (even if you're right)

• How to revise your guest agreement to be more enforceable

• The one move that finally made the guests leave (spoiler: it wasn’t legal action—it was cutting off the internet)

• Whether age-based booking restrictions (like 25+) are legal or enforceable under the Fair Housing Act and Airbnb policy

Tony shares lessons learned the hard way, and I break down the legal implications of self-help evictions, trespassing rules, towing cars, and how to avoid turning a bad situation into an even costlier lawsuit.

If you’re an Airbnb host, STR manager, real estate investor, or anyone interested in building financial freedom through rental income, this episode is packed with practical legal tips and strategy.

Whether you manage one property or a growing portfolio, it’s critical to understand:

• How to draft a strong guest agreement that actually protects you

• What the eviction process looks like for STRs and midterm stays

• How to legally end a stay and regain control of your property

• Common mistakes hosts make that can trigger legal liability

👩‍⚖️ About the Host:
Katie Johnson is a real estate attorney, Airbnb Superhost, and short-term rental investor who helps property owners and hosts navigate the legal landscape of vacation rentals. From zoning issues and licensing to lawsuits, evictions, and compliance, she breaks down complex legal topics to help you stay protected and profitable.

About Tony:

Tony is the founder of Book & Gather, a Michigan-based vacation rental management company serving popular lakeshore destinations like New Buffalo, South Haven, and Saugatuck. He also co-hosts the Michigan Short-Term Rentals Podcast and organizes one of the leading STR conferences in the Midwest. With deep local experience and a strong operational mindset, Tony helps owners scale their Airbnb businesses while navigating compliance, guest challenges, and growth strategy.

Listen to Tony's Podcast

Follow Tony on Linkedin

🎧 Listen now and subscribe if you want to:
✅ Avoid legal disasters as an STR host
✅ Build a legally sound, scalable Airbnb business
✅ Learn from real-world stories and legal insight
✅ Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing

🔑 Smart hosts don’t just hustle. They lawyer up.
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⚖️ Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation.