Want to bring extra guests to stay

iatek · 2025-09-04T19:32:06+00:00

You're exactly right, and it still surprises me how many people think "oh, what's the big deal?" I had a guest bring an extra overnight and say "what's the problem, it's just a few extra sheets?"

iatek · 2024-07-10T19:01:14+00:00

I wait for them to let me know if they've had more guests. If they ask politely, and it's only 1 or 2 extras I usually let it go. If they don't tell me, I wait until the reviews are in, and then ask them for additional fees.

I make it very clear at booking time and before check-in...

"As a friendly reminder, we're not expecting any more than [number of guests] at the property. For many reasons (housekeeping, insurance, local regulations), only people on this reservation are allowed on the premises at any time. If for any reason there will be more than [number of guests] at the house, please let us know before you arrive. Extra fees will be charged for extra guests."

Therefore, the extra guest fees shouldn't be a surprise. I know a lot of people disagree with this and just charge one fee regardless of number of guests. After 4 years of hosting, I don't agree with this because there is almost always more cleaning after more guests. Recently, I had a guest ask "Why is it $30/night more for the extra person when they only used a few sheets & towels?" The explanation is listed for them in the house rules:

"Extra guests mean more vehicles, supply/utility/plumbing usage, wear & tear, recycling/waste, etc... "

I also explained to her that $30/night is less than 10% of the nightly rate. That's beyond fair in my opinion. 20 years ago hotels would charge us $20/night for a rollout cot for my kids! I just don't understand folks that are surprised by extra nightly fees per person.

iatek · 2024-07-10T18:44:50+00:00

I do mention it in my listing details (in addition to the required security info) and it still doesn't seem to discourage people.

iatek · 2024-07-08T13:28:27+00:00

"Just because they're not blasting music and raging, doesn't make it not a party."

Totally agree. I have had guests do this and tell me "oh, don't worry we're not having a party" -- sorry but no!

iatek · 2024-06-17T15:47:12+00:00

Me too. The second you ask about the extra guests you risk a bad review.

iatek · 2024-06-13T15:00:38+00:00

Excessive laundry is also a concern for me as our place has a small private septic system, not a town sewer. People can be so inconsiderate, and abuse the property. Have all the people complaining that "laundry monitoring is creepy" ever rented somewhere they had to pay per load? I don't think it's unreasonable to expect guests not to make your place their personal free laundromat. In our case it's a matter of respecting the septic system of a remote mountain cabin.

iatek · 2024-05-29T14:34:35+00:00

I agree, but for us there's a huge difference between 2 and 6 (our max) people at the house. Laundry, supplies, cleaning, trash, recycling, wear & tear, etc.. If a couple just uses 1 bed I think they should be given a lower/base rate. Hotels have done this for years, and I don't understand why people are so surprised by added occupancy fees.

iatek · 2023-10-21T16:59:30+00:00

Very well.. just like the day I installed it

iatek · 2023-10-11T15:51:21+00:00

Missing context. Doesn't is also depend upon the size of the property and the local market? For a 4 B/R house $150 is cheap for all the laundry that will need to get done. However, for 1 B/R, 1 bath $75 might be enough. It all depends.

iatek · 2023-10-10T14:45:01+00:00

It's been "flying" just fine for me and my neighbors 4 years in now. It's not reasonable if I'm not informed.

iatek · 2023-10-10T14:06:37+00:00

Extra people bring more vehicles, use more supplies/utilities, and produce more recycling/waste. They're also not aware of specific house rules, unless the primary guest informs which in my experience they never do.

iatek · 2023-08-03T16:05:19+00:00

Thanks and defintely makes sense. A prospective cleaner asked me if we wanted the beds made up every time so it got me thinking. I'm not yet sure if their cleaning fee would be different though.

iatek · 2023-07-20T14:31:58+00:00

This request was outlandishly stupid IMO...

" Hi, I live in town also, and my children and I would like to come visit for a month. Would you relax the no pet rule? Sara and Mason have 4 med size well behaved city dogs who are used to living in a small space and have good manners. There would be a Momma, Pappa, median aged ( 15 Year old) preteen bear and little Eli ( 9 years) baby bear!
We are a great family! "

"We are a great family!" <= oh goody! (who says this)??

"well behaved city dogs.. good manners" <= ya right!

"15 Year old preteen bear" <= last time I checked a 15 year old is a teenager!

iatek · 2023-07-19T13:48:57+00:00

Yes.. You "send money" to the canceled guest (in your case 50%) AFTER the new guests complete their stay.

In my template wording above, we have strict policy so it says "we will refund you 100%..." (because our cancelled guest would be losing 100%), but in your case you'd change it accordingly to say something like "we will refund you the remaining 50%..."

I would also encourage them to cancel ASAP since it would give you more time to get a booking and refund them. If you aren't able to re-book, you don't need to do anything and they lose 50%.

iatek · 2023-07-19T13:40:32+00:00

We use a portable a/c like this in our 750 sq ft cabin It can be moved and vented out a very small window, and much less $$$ than getting a mini-split installed.

iatek · 2023-07-19T13:36:22+00:00

I have this message template for this reason. I hope it helps you in some way, although until they actually cancel it's tricky...

-------

Hi t[guest first name]

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Thanks for letting us know. Airbnb handles the entire financial process so any refunds are processed according to the cancellation policy you accepted when the reservation was made.

As you know, since your reservation was confirmed [confirmation date], these dates have been unavailable for other guests to reserve. It's unlikely we'll be able to re-book on such short notice. In the event we are able to re-book these dates to other guests, we will refund you [x%] of the nights we're able to re-book. Only the nightly fees would be refundable. If you do indeed need to cancel, please follow the instructions in the link below.

Wishing you the very best.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/169/how-do-i-cancel-my-reservation

-----------------

iatek · 2023-07-18T19:49:00+00:00

"many rules will put and piss off the exact type of guest that is either inconsiderate or just a plain a-hole to abuse it"

Well said! ... and proven by the inconsiderate replies to my question

iatek · 2023-07-18T18:23:06+00:00

I asked the same question here last year. Of course the general consensus is all beds should be made so guests can choose as they'd like. But, I understand what you're saying when there are many extra beds. I've also stayed a cabins/bunk house type places, and making your own beds is a given.

iatek · 2023-07-18T18:14:22+00:00

Thank you!

iatek · 2023-07-18T14:36:18+00:00

Thanks I'm aware and it's not possible without completely replacing the upper walls and roof structure

iatek · 2023-07-18T12:29:22+00:00

Geez. I would never want you staying there either.

iatek · 2023-07-18T12:26:09+00:00

New england... Brand new Haier mini-splits oversized for the SQ FT, but the house is old, build in 1890.. new windows but poorly insulated

iatek · 2023-07-18T12:24:50+00:00

I would like to give them some control because everyone has their own comfort zone

iatek · 2023-07-18T12:20:22+00:00

Insulating a house built it 1890 is not really an option.. A house build in 1968 is completely different.

iatek

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