Yes, hosts rate guests after each stay, and the rating appears on your profile
Airbnb hosts can leave a rating and written review for you after your checkout. The rating is a number from 1 to 5 stars, and it becomes visible on your guest profile once the host submits it. This rating affects how future hosts see you when you request to book their properties.
Hosts have 14 days after checkout to leave a review. If a host does not submit one within that window, the option to rate you closes. You will see the review on your profile when ready once it is posted, unless the host has already left a review for you in the past — in that case, the new review replaces the old one.
The rating system is one-directional: hosts rate guests, and guests rate hosts. Your guest rating does not affect the host's rating. However, a low guest rating can make it harder for you to book properties, because many hosts filter out guests with ratings below 4.5 or 4.8 stars before they even look at your request.
Key Takeaways
- Hosts can rate you from 1 to 5 stars within 14 days of your checkout, and the rating becomes public on your guest profile.
- A rating below 4.5 stars may cause hosts to decline your booking requests, even if your review text is positive.
- Hosts often mention specific issues in their written review — damage, noise, cleanliness, or house rule violations — so read past reviews carefully before booking again.
- You cannot remove or dispute a host's rating, but you can respond to the review text if you believe it is inaccurate.
What hosts typically rate you on
Hosts usually base their rating on how well you followed house rules, the condition you left the property in, and how you communicated with them. A 5-star rating usually means you were respectful, left the place clean, and caused no problems. A 4-star rating often indicates minor issues — perhaps you were slightly late checking out, or you did not turn off lights — but nothing serious.
Ratings below 4 stars typically mean the host encountered a real problem: you damaged something, violated a major house rule, were noisy, or left the property significantly dirtier than you found it. A 1-star or 2-star rating usually signals a serious incident, such as an unauthorized guest, a party, or damage that required repair.
Hosts also consider how you communicated before and during your stay. If you asked questions, responded to messages, and let the host know about any issues, you are more likely to receive a higher rating even if something minor went wrong. Silence or defensiveness when a host raises a concern often leads to a lower rating.
How a low guest rating affects your bookings
Many hosts set their booking settings to automatically decline requests from guests with ratings below a certain threshold. Some hosts filter at 4.8 stars, others at 4.5 stars, and some accept anyone. The lower your rating, the fewer hosts will see your request as acceptable, and the more likely you are to be declined.
Even if a host does not use automatic filters, they will read your reviews before accepting your request. A review that says "guest was loud and disruptive" or "left the place filthy" will make most hosts reject you, regardless of your star count. Your written reviews matter as much as your number.
If you have one or two low ratings but many 5-star reviews, the impact is less severe — hosts will see that the low rating is an outlier. If most of your ratings are 4 stars or below, you may find that very few hosts accept your requests, and you may be limited to budget properties or hosts who do not screen carefully.
What you can do if you receive a low rating
You cannot remove a host's rating or ask Airbnb to delete it. However, you can write a response to the review if you believe it is inaccurate or unfair. Your response appears directly below the host's review, so future hosts will see both sides of the story.
Keep your response brief, factual, and professional. If the host said you damaged something and you disagree, explain what actually happened without being defensive. If the host misunderstood a house rule, clarify politely. Avoid arguing or insulting the host — your response should make you look reasonable, not angry.
If the review contains false information or violates Airbnb's review policy — for example, if the host left a review that is abusive, discriminatory, or unrelated to your stay — you can report it to Airbnb. Airbnb will review the report and may remove the review if it breaks their guidelines. However, Airbnb does not remove reviews straightforward because you disagree with them.
How to maintain a high guest rating
Follow the house rules exactly as written. If the host says no parties, do not have guests over. If they say no smoking, do not smoke. If they ask you to remove your shoes, remove them. Hosts notice when guests ignore rules, and they rate accordingly.
Leave the property as clean as you found it. Wash dishes, wipe down surfaces, and take out the trash. If you spill something or break something, tell the host when ready rather than hoping they do not notice. Hosts appreciate honesty and are more forgiving of accidents that are reported than damage they discover later.
Communicate clearly before and during your stay. Confirm your arrival time, ask questions about how to use appliances or access parking, and let the host know if you will be late. If something is broken or not working, message the host right away. Responsive, polite communication often results in a higher rating even if minor problems occur.
Be respectful of quiet hours and neighbors. Keep noise down, especially in the evening and early morning. If you have guests over, keep the group small and make sure they are not disruptive. Noise complaints are one of the most common reasons for low ratings.
How guest ratings differ from host ratings
Guests also rate hosts on a 1 to 5 star scale, but the two systems work independently. Your guest rating does not affect the host's rating, and a host's rating does not affect your guest rating. However, both ratings are public and visible to other users on the platform.
Hosts with low ratings may have fewer bookings, just as guests with low ratings may have fewer booking requests accepted. The difference is that hosts have more control over their rating — they set house rules, maintain the property, and communicate with guests — while guests depend partly on the host's behavior and the property's condition.
If you are considering booking with a host who has a low rating, read their reviews carefully. If multiple guests mention the same problem — such as the place being dirty or the host being unresponsive — that is a red flag. Conversely, if a host has one or two low ratings but many 5-star reviews, the low ratings may be outliers or disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my guest rating before a host submits their review?
No. You will only see a rating once the host has submitted it. You cannot see a draft or pending review. You will receive a notification when a host leaves a review, and you can then view it on your profile.
What happens if a host does not leave a review?
If a host does not submit a review within 14 days of your checkout, the option to rate you expires and no review will appear. This does not affect your rating — it straightforward means that stay will not be reflected in your profile.
Can I ask a host to change their rating of me?
You can contact the host and ask them to reconsider, but they are not required to change it. If you believe the review is false or violates Airbnb's policy, you can report it to Airbnb, but Airbnb will not remove a review just because you disagree with it.
Do hosts know my rating before I book with them?
Yes. When you send a booking request, the host can see your guest rating, your reviews, and your profile information. This is why hosts use your rating to decide whether to accept your request.
How long does a rating stay on my profile?
Ratings remain on your profile indefinitely. However, if you book frequently, older ratings will move down your profile as newer ones are added. Hosts typically look at your most recent reviews first.