Hosting family member of the guest with the guest

[Dalit10]

Hello wonderful guys and dolls 🙂

I wanted to consult with you on something:

Im an host  in Copenhagen since a year and a half ago and became a super host since last summer. I chatge 350 kr per night and I like to host for long stays and give 20% discount for more then 2 weeks of a stay and 35% discount when its a month and more.

I have a  sweet guest, stayed already 2 months and will check out in couple of days. She asked me in advance if she is allowed to have  guests in her bedroom as her sister is visiting her for 4 days. I told her that i would give the sister a  discount and take 200 kr per night.

I know its up to me if to charge fee on this or not or how much , Just wanted to get your view point and what do you do as this is my first time Im asked to have a family member of the guest for couple of nights. Do you host them for free or charge a symbolic fee? the sister arrived yesterday and does not communicate at all about it  and I get a vibes of taking it  her stay for granted . I would like to keep the exchange both sides (I do give exchange in abundance as an host like lending bikes, sharing my cooking  etc, and being generous in general. Thank you for your fast answer

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Dalit10 if our guests are friendly and follow the rules we give them significant latitude provided they ask about bringing extra people stay and/or having family round for a meal. If you have had 2 months of a good guest I wouldn't charge extra for a friend staying a few nights.

[Lorna170]

@Dalit10 The long-term guest was good enough to ask to have a "guest of a guest" and apparently understands that you offer accommodation for a fee.  If you have an extra guest fee built in for more people at your accommodation, you could offer a discount of that fee for this exemplary guest.   Her sister should not assume that she can stay in your home for free, even if sharing the bed.

@Mike-And-Jane0   No one should start handing out nights to extra people for "free".  You are in the business of offering rooms for rent -- why should they ever be free?  I have had long term guests who have abused my hospitality by having a revolving door of relatives visit while they were in my home.  They felt that if they were renting the house, they could do as they pleased.   Well, a comprehensive and explanatory rental agreement stopped that nonsense.  If a long term guest wants a guest, it has to be agreed upon by all parties, and compensation paid. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Lorna170 I totally agree we 'are a business offering rooms for rent' however the goodwill that is built up by being flexible is invaluable to any business. I think, as with most things in life, it depends on the circumstances. At the extreme we hosted our 3 bed apartment for free once because it was the right thing to do in the circumstances. - As a result the guest always stays with us when in the area.

[Lorna170]

@Mike-And-Jane0   I can agree that it depends on the circumstances.  However, I would not presume to go stay with a family member or a friend "for free" when they are renting a room from another person.   If I were renting a room, and my sibling wishes to stay with me, I would find out from the host 1) is this allowed and 2) will there be a cost.  The long term guest in this case received quite a decent discount for the 2 month visit (35%) so having the sister pay a reduced nightly fee for her 4 night visit is quite reasonable and is still, IMO, good will on the part of the host.  

[Dalit10]

@Lorna170 @Mike-And-Jane0 Thanks guys I agree with you.  I feel the right thing is to ask for a lawer fee per night. especially as looks to me the sister taking it for granted, I do need to speak with them as it they didn't mention it at all although agreed with the guest the sister will need to pay for the 4 nights.

[Sarah977]

@Dalit10 @Lorna170  I don't see anything wrong with a host being flexible- it depends on the circumstances. A good guest who has paid for and stayed for 2 months and asks if their sister can stay for the last 2 nights is certainly something I'd say yes to without charging. What's  it going to cost the host to be amenable? An extra half roll of toilet paper, a few squirts of soap and a few gallons of hot water?

[Dalit10]

@Sarah977  Thank you for your opinion. No one referred here its wrong to be flexible. and af course it depends on the circumstances. Pls reread my original msg. Your last sentence was not even in my mind and this is definitely not the issue here. 

[Sarah977]

@Dalit10I read your post and understood it clearly.  The last sentence, and much of what I said was in response to Lorna, who suggested hosts should never let an extra person stay for free. 

I was putting forth an opinion (didn't you ask for opinions?) that a nice 2 month guest who asks if her sister can stay for the last few days of the booking is quite different from someone with a 5 day booking who asks for the same. In the first case I would say sure, and not charge extra, in the second I would definitely charge. 

[Dalit10]

@Sarah977 and afcourse in general there is an overall exchange and any host should act per what is right for him and  evaluate per each guest, being nice guest or not is not a factor for me in this case but the level of exchange  i get back from the guest what counts for me. Anyway thanks again for your opinion 🙂