What can guests use?

[Jo732]

Hi all.

I've been wondering what you allow your guests to use.

I'm happy for them to use my kitchen items like plates..saucepans etc. However they seem to help themselves to my foil..kitchen roll etc.

I know its a small thing but with bills in the UK getting ridiculous I am mindful of costs. 

One guest using isn't a big deal but over time when they all start using it means I'm replacing frequently.

Do people offer breakfast? What is reasonable to allow them to use?

I just think of traditional bed and breakfast in the UK and you don't get access to the kitchens etc you have to eat out. Certainly don't use their stuff.

Appreciate your comments. I'm used to having a lodger so not sure if sometimes I'm treating them like a lodger. I've stopped allowing them to use my washing machine as they wanted me to provide them softener and washing powder. (Some more than others).

[Annie1372]

@Jo732 

If you allow them in the kitchen, either you allow them to the entire kitchen or you provide them with specific drawer and cabinet they can use. It should be the with the easiest access for them.

if I where you, I would increase your price by a pound or 2 a day and it should cover for those cost.

I would prefer someone to use my tin foil in the bottom of my baking pan instead of conking directly in it and making it impossible to clean afterwards.

I’d prefer them to use my Ziploc than to use my Tupperware during their picnic and loosing or stealing my nice plastic countainer.

[Jo732]

Hi yes there is space in the cupboard for their things.

Yes I understand the point you're making. I just prefer people to ask instead of help themselves.

Do you find some don't even say hello and goodbye when you see them unless you initiate it? Again I find it impolite as manners are free.

[Huma0 · Accepted solution]

@Jo732 

Good question. I think this will vary from host to host and depend greatly on length of stay and type of stay. 

I host long term guests (usually 28 days or more) so a lot of them do make full use of the kitchen, but others less so and some barely use it at all. I think though that kitchen access is something that you definitely need to offer long term guests. If you host short stays, then it's really up to you if you offer it or not and if you offer full or limited access. You just need to make it crystal clear on your listing and I would recommend that you also remind guests in a message before accepting their booking (or as soon as they book if you use instant booking).

I do not offer breakfast as it would be unusual in London airbnbs and I also don't think many of my guests would expect nor want it. Also, if you are offering breakfast, you need to look into the regulations regarding offering catered accommodation. I don't know much about that as I've not considered offering breakfast, so I don't know it's fine to offer things like cereals, bread, juice etc., but I imagine if you are offering any kind of cooked breakfast you need to consider whether you need to register as a catered business, get a license, have inspections that sort of thing. It may sound over the top, but what if a guest accused you of giving them food poisoning?!

RE supplies, on my listing, I offer basics, i.e. tea, coffee, sugar, salt, pepper, oil, but in reality, I offer more than that, e.g. honey, sweetener, hot chocolate and a bunch of other stuff like that.

Some guests use hardly any or none of that and just buy their own. Others are the opposite and will help themselves to anything that is in a cupboard they have access to. So, for example, I keep the salt, pepper and oil in a cupboard which also has my other condiments and often guests will assume that all of this is for them. I don't mind if they consume a little bit of it, but have to put my foot down if they go crazy with it. Some will ask me for additional things like butter or something else. If it's something I have, then again, I don't mind them using a bit but if they are going to use a lot, they need to buy their own. If guests ask me for specific things that I don't normally buy, then the answer is a polite no.

RE things like tin foil, cling film, baking paper etc. no, I don't offer this, but I find that these are the sorts of things that most guests will simply help themselves. Again, that's okay if it's not a lot.

It's a bit passive aggressive, but if a guest is using copious amounts of something that I have not specifically told them is there for their use, I will move it elsewhere. Usually, they will then go and buy their own. If they ask me to replace it, again a polite no, sorry that's not included in the listing, or simply, no, sorry I don't have any left.

I do specify on the listing that guests need to buy their own laundry detergent and softener etc. Again, this is because I host three long term guests at a time and some just chuck half a bottle into every wash. Funnily enough, they don't do that when they are buying it themselves! Still, people usually have to be reminded as they always assume they can use mine. Because I show guests how to use the washing machine when they put their first load on, this is easy. I just ask, "Which type of laundry detergent did you buy? Oh, you didn't buy it yet? Okay, you can use mine this time. I'd suggest you buy it from Lidl rather than Tesco's or Sainsbury's because it's cheaper there." Again, maybe a bit passive aggressive? IDK but I prefer a gentle reminder than a, "NO, you can't use my stuff. How dare you!"

[Jo732]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I prefer short stays. So just over a week. Other than that they are mostly a few days. 

I just don't think it's polite to help yourself to someone's things. I would never do that.

I also have a dishwasher and they wash up and just leave it on the side all day or whatever.. often don't clean the hob after using. I just think it's manners to clean up after yourself. 

Also some can't even say hello and goodbye and manners cost nothing. I think its really rude.

I do think offering basics is fine. I do say they can have tea and coffee and milk etc. I do leave a couple of cereal bars In their room on arrival and I am very helpful where I can be. 

Good to hear others views.

[Huma0]

@Jo732 

I also don't think it's polite to help yourself to other people's things and wouldn't do it myself. However, I think a lot of guests aren't seeing it as 'your things' but rather that, because it's an airbnb, whatever is there is there for them also. They don't realise that it's only the stuff listed in amenities, not everything! But, a lot of them never even look at the amenities list.

When I started hosting, I thought it would be obvious, but it's amazing what some people will help themselves to. I mean, why would you take someone else's towel that they've already used? So, I had to be explicit about it in my house rules and sometimes I remind guests during my welcome tour. It's easier for me to do this because they are sharing with other guests, not just me. 

I also have a dishwasher, but a lot of guests hand wash dishes and most would not automatically put them away. Some will do so if reminded, but most will simply forget. And it's really rare for a guest to ever clean the hob after they use it. That's just something I've had to get used to. As long as they don't leave it in a terrible state.

For me, it's weird and uncomfortable if guests never bother to say hello or interact with me, but I host long-term guests. When I hosted short stays, some guests were super friendly and others not at all. Some guests see the host as their guide and a valuable source of local tips and advice. Others see the airbnb as simply a cheap alternative to a hotel and want minimum interaction. Again, it's just something I got used to.

[Anonymous]

@Jo732  If a guest has to go out and buy their own foil, kitchen roll, spices, salt, and cooking oil just to cook one or two meals, it basically cancels out the money they saved by self-catering. It's wasteful to buy those things for a single use. I believe that access to basic pantry items makes the kitchen much better value for guests as an amenity without significantly impacting your costs. But it would be a problem if guests started helping themselves to your actual food.

As @Huma0 points out, the length of stay is probably the biggest factor here. As long as you set a short maximum stay, your guests will mostly be leisure travelers who have their meals out on the go. If you allow longer stays, guests will make heavier use of everything in your house and potentially drive your costs up (though frequent changeover does mean more laundry).

It's definitely an option to not allow kitchen use, if you prefer guests who just come to sleep and shower. But many of the solo travelers I've hosted specifically chose my homestay for the interactive aspect rather than just the budget, so I've preferred to treat them more like visiting friends than budget lodgers.

[Jo732]

Thanks it's so helpful hearing others views. I generally stick with short stays as longer stays feels like lodgers and I don't want that.

I dont mind the changeover it's not much in terms of laundry. 

I don't like it when they can't even manage to say hello and goodbye..or leave their washing up on the side instead of putting it away. I have a dishwasher for some reason they wash up using excessive water which isn't eco friendly. 

Yes I think allowing them to use basic things is reasonable. I don't like it when they don't ask. I'd never do that. 

[Anonymous]

@Jo732  It's possible that some of your guests genuinely are inconsiderate and rude, but all of the behaviors you described could also be some mix of shyness, discomfort, misunderstandings, or different customs/habits. Being a homestay host is only enjoyable if you're blessed with an unusually high tolerance for the whole spectrum of quirks and mannerisms.

As much as I enjoy friendly and extroverted guests, it's perfectly fine with me if people prefer to come and go in silence and keep to themselves. They're paying customers, after all, and they don't owe me any social niceties if they're not in that kind of mood. But sharing a home is a very intimate thing, and if it's important to you that guests share your sense of manners, I would urge you to leave Instant Book off and be more picky about which Requests you accept. Most of the time, the way people communicate in that correspondence tells you a lot about how they'll be as guests.

If you still keep finding yourself bothered by little things, it's possible that that home-sharing simply isn't for you. But it's very normal to have an adjustment period before it starts to become comfortable.

[Jo732]

Yes I do understand and agree with your points. One of the reasons I keep it to short stays is because I do easily get annoyed by their behaviours etc so if its short it's a lot easier.

I appreciate that's my stuff.

[Helen3]

Hi @Jo732 

I find most of my shorter stay guests don't cook that much. I have a cupboard for guests with oils, spices, herbs, foil, etc clearly marked.

I say if they would like anything else to let me know.

I don't mind if guests don't say hello or goodbye if I'm not in the same room when they are leaving.

We are not a bed and breakfast so I don't think you can compare our offer. We are offering self-catering.

If guests aren't cleaning up the kitchen after themselves I would definitely mention it.

Either restrict your kitchen access or accept if you are giving them full access they will use what's there (obviously not your food).

I prefer guests not to put things away as they often put them in the wrong place 🙂

[Jo732]

Thanks again very helpful. I guess as its called airbnb I just thought...bed and breakfast vs self catering so thats interesting. 

Yes good idea about putting bits in a cupboard for them to use. 

I've been nearby or in the same room and they don't talk. I appreciate there is shyness but it's just manners but again understand different cultures etc.

Yes I have mentioned cleaning the hob etc and putting things away. Just find it awkward.

[Helen3]

Hi @Jo732 

The Airbnb refers to an air mattress which is what the founders used when they started. Nothing to do with B&Bs. I admit it can be confusing https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/2503/what-is-airbnb-and-how-does-it-work

I wouldn't worry too much about guest interaction. My guests normally have good manners. I do spend time vetting my guests carefully and write my listing in such a way as to make it clear what sort of listing I offer.

This community is a great resource so do come back whenever you need to offload/have a question.

[Jo732]

Thanks so much