Forbidding guests

[Ariane321]

Hi there! 

I recently stayed at an Airbnb that explicitly had written on the window that there are no guests allowed. Me and my friend just assumed that this must mean that nobody else is allowed to sleep over, so he came over for dinner. Halfway into eating, my host came over to inform me that he had to leave. Is this ok?? 

[Gwen386]

@Ariane321 Yes, it is ok. There is nothing misleading about “No guest allowed!”  Never assume anything. If you weren’t sure, you should have messaged the host and asked for clarification. 

[Till-and-Jutta0]

During the pandemic we have the same strict no-guests-rule and are not amused, when our guests bring more people to our place, without even asking before.

[Helen3]

Why would you assume the words "No guests allowed" means  nobody is allowed to sleep over. The message was absolutely clear. If you were in any doubt you should have checked with the host.

Yes of course it's okay for the host to come over and tell you the person you invited over who is not on the booking needed to leave. He could have cancelled your booking for breaking his clear house rules @Ariane321 

[Ariane321]

I understand what you‘re saying, but can‘t help but feel that such house rules should‘ve been mentioned in the listing before booking? 

[Sudsrung0]

@Ariane321 

So it wasn't mentioned anywhere in the rules until you got there? 

[Ariane321]

Yeah, it was just on the window. I felt kinda bummed out about that, haha…

[Huma0]

@Ariane321 

Are you absolutely sure?

The problem is that Airbnb do not display these rules in a clear and obvious place. At the very bottom of the listing page are a few basic rules that the host can choose from a limited menu Airbnb offers them. Everything else has to go under the extended house rules, which the guest has to click a link to see.

I couldn't tell you how many times a guest has told me they have read the full house rules when they actually haven't. I've had to include an Easter egg question in there to make sure, and even then, people skim through or miss something.

Recently, I had a guest who got very angry when I reminded him I do not allow meals to be eaten in the bedroom. He said it was not mentioned in the rules. He went back and checked and then apologised profusely, because of course it was mentioned clearly.

If you are absolutely sure that this rule was not mentioned anywhere, then yes, it's a bit odd, and I also hate signs with rules stuck up around a listing.

But, I don't know why you assumed it was okay to have someone over without permission, especially after seeing that sign, and especially in what sounds to me like a shared listing. Your friend is your friend, but to the host, this is a random person entering their property. I would have been mightily peeved too if my guest did that.

[Sudsrung0]

@Ariane321 

Exactly it wasn't in the rules when you booked the host had no right in telling you after the event,

I would have been telling them were to go, I thought we was in the Hospitality business,

[Lorna170]

@Ariane321  No guests allowed means just that, no guests other than the registered guest.  So no one should be there, even if only to eat dinner. 

If you are visiting a person who lives locally, you should inform the host of your intention to host that person for dinner, so that they can tell you if that is okay.

[Ariane321]

I see! Good to know 🙂

[Sudsrung0]

@Ariane321 

I think I would have handled this a bit differently I know other host are going to say rules are rules I consider myself as very flexible.

I dont have such rules I want people to have a nice time and enjoy their holidays I know in my villas guest have family and friends around for a meal or a few drinks maybe a BBQ as long as there is no mad parties Im good to go.

I have had guest ask if it's ok, I just tell them they are responsible for any damage or loss caused by your guest, as long as they accept that Im ok,

Prior to covid I had a family book my villa and she didn't say at the time but it was a surprise visit for her mother who lived next door, it was to be her 60th Birthday, they are good neighbours imagine if I was to apply that rule,

Next time make sure you book with a host like me **[Content removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Ariane321]

Haha, thank you! 🙂

[Laurelle3]

@Ariane321 sad that you had this experience. Yes, it would have been strange to find it written on the window. I believe that the host should have had it written in the rules so that you are aware.

Maybe she have contacted the host to make an enquiry as you knew that you were having someone come over.

In my rules I ask to be informed of visitors arriving and their names. Th main reason is for insurance on our property in case there us an accident and it also lets me know that there is someone else there and if possiblility of extra noise or sleepover.

[Fred13]

A few issues at play here. Yes @Ariane321 you are thinking logically.

> If the policy is not on their house rules then how could anyone that books the place know about it before they actually arrive?

> Moreover who would write one of their policy on their place's window resembling a kid's nursery school building? I mean really, that is the height of tackiness, even sheer stupidity because some would find it unnecessarily insulting..

> It is ok for the host to insist on no one else entering the place, but it is also ok for ex-guests making other potential future guests in their review aware that this is the methodology of this host; it should discourage them not to book with this sneaky host.