Accommodating guest requests

[Shelly355]

I have made my garage off-limits for short-term guests (less than a week) for simplicity's sake. I keep bulk paper items, etc. and other personal items stored there. Right now, there's no room for a car. Would you accommodate an overnight guest who wants to park inside because the area is unfamiliar to her? I have declined, but offered reassurances about the neighborhood, which has never experienced any kind of crime that I'm aware of. Now, I'm just wondering how far others go to accommodate guests.

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Hi @Shelly355,

As a host, I completely understand wanting to make guests feel as comfortable as possible, but this is not something I would personally accommodate either. Like you, I have certain areas of my property that are off-limits to guests, and for good reason—whether it's for storing personal items or simply maintaining boundaries for smooth hosting.

In situations like this, I find it's best to stand by your house rules while offering reassurances, which you’ve done by highlighting the safety of your neighborhood. It's important to set clear expectations to avoid complications later. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a positive experience without compromising on what you're comfortable with as a host.

Every host handles accommodations differently, but it’s important to strike the right balance between being hospitable and maintaining your boundaries. It sounds like you've handled the situation well!

Happy hosting @Shelly355 

[Mohamed-Fazal-Abid0]

So we have a vertical driveway that can hold 4 suvs. I have accommodated guests before informing them that because it is a vertical driveway, there will be times that they or I may need to move vehicles and if they did not have a problem with it, then I offer it complimentary. I do assure the ones who were concerned about parking outside when I did not have any more space remaining and it has worked. I understand you want to be able to maintain boundaries, but I would take this on a case by case basis. After all, how many ask do you get right? I have been hosting for a month. I have always try to put myself in the position of the guest. Best Wishes

Shan

[Scott2184]

For ease of use and the guest experience, I give up my drive way space and allow guests to park there and I find a street park. 

Coming from 20 years Tourism experience, try and make everything as easy as possible, surprise and delight.... this will lead to good reviews leading to increase in bookings.

Good luck

Scott

[Quincy]

Hi @Shelly355,

You've received some advice from other hosts—what are your thoughts so far?

Just wondering, if you prefer guests not to park in the garage, do they park on the driveway or the street? Also, how do you handle storage for your personal items when long-term guests request garage access?

[Alicia753]

Hi @Shelly355 ,

Making the garage off-limits, especially if it's used for personal storage, is understandable, and it sounds like you've set expectations clearly with guests. Offering reassurance about the neighborhood’s safety was a good approach, and it's common for hosts to emphasize safe, well-lit parking options nearby. Most hosts keep certain areas, like garages, off-limits, particularly if those areas aren’t in a ready-to-use condition.

Some hosts do allow exceptions for guests with unique needs or requests, but only if it aligns with the host’s comfort level, logistics, and property security. Since you’ve established the garage as off-limits, sticking with this policy keeps things consistent and protects your personal belongings. If a request like this comes up again, you could offer additional tips for safe, nearby public parking or suggest an external secure parking service if available. Ultimately, every host's balance between accommodating requests and maintaining boundaries is personal, and you're taking a responsible approach by setting clear, safe guidelines.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Upfish Management

[Shelly355]

Thank you all for responding. (I hope you all can see this.) Your comments helped a lot. I’m hoping to eventually find tenants who need short term (one to six months) lodging for work and plan to provide garage access then. But when I didn’t get any nibbles on another platform, I decided to list it on Airbnb and see what happened. I’ve been slow to finish organizing the garage and panicked a little when I immediately got 4 bookings. So I was relieved when a friend suggested making it off limits - problem solved for now. The lady who made the request did not respond.