Free infants, up to 5 free infants? In a listing that is set to a total of 4 guests?!!!!! OUTRAGEOUS

[DragonflyHill-Collective0]

This is really messed up. Now when hosts indicate that our listing is suitable for up to X guests, it's really X guests + 5 free children under 2 years old, and there's no way to adjust for this. This is outrageous. 1. We should have a say in who comes in our homes for free, 2. We should determine the total number of guests. 3. FIVE FREE INFANTS? REALLY? FIVE? THAT'S A WHOLE PRESCHOOL CLASS. EVEN PRESCHOOL CLASSES HAVE A COST AND THOSE KIDS GO HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY.

WE want our home to be comfortable for children and welcoming, but when we said we could only accommodate up to 4 people, that didn't mean up to 9 people if 5 of them were under 2 years old. It didn't mean free lodging for ANYONE.

You could allow hosts to offer free passage to children, in a discount setting. You could allow guests to search for "chlldren are free" or "infants are free" in a search feature.

You absolutely have to allow hosts to determine how many people they can comfortably, affordably and safely lodge.

We've added the following statement to our listing:

"While we are children friendly, we cannot provide free accommodations for children OF ANY AGE.  We welcome your children into our home but all fees and total number of guest limits apply.  We love and welcome children but at the prices we are offering, we cannot afford to have extra people of any age here, without compensation for our labor and resources. "

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Response from Airbnb

The decision not to count infants toward the number of guests was based on hospitality industry standards. The goal for this policy is to support a positive guest experience, specifically for families booking on Airbnb. Although the majority of hosts are comfortable with this policy, some aren’t, and we are interested in figuring out how this tool can be improved to work better for more hosts.

If you don’t want to accept bookings from families traveling with infants, or want to include them as part of the total guest count, there are a few controls you can currently take advantage of:

1. Clearly indicate in your house rules whether your place is suitable for infants. If you must charge for infants, note that guests are to include infants in the adult guest count rather than in the infant guest count. Remember, avoiding discrimination based on factors like familial status is part of the Airbnb commitment you signed. Hosts should welcome families unless a place is clearly not suitable for infants and children, something often best left up to the family to decide.
2. If you’re using the request-to-book option instead of Instant Book, then you can discuss with potential guests whether you’re able to accommodate them.
3. You can indicate in your settings that your place is not suitable for infants. If you have instant book turned on, guests who indicate they’re traveling with infants will not be able to book your home instantly. They can still request to book your space, just as they would any non-Instant Book listing.
4. If you’re using Instant Book, then you can always cancel a booking penalty-free if a guest breaks your house rules.

[DragonflyHill-Collective0]

This is really messed up. Now when hosts indicate that our listing is suitable for up to X guests, it's really X guests + 5 free children under 2 years old, and there's no way to adjust for this. This is outrageous. 1. We should have a say in who comes in our homes for free, 2. We should determine the total number of guests. 3. FIVE FREE INFANTS? REALLY? FIVE? THAT'S A WHOLE PRESCHOOL CLASS. EVEN PRESCHOOL CLASSES HAVE A COST AND THOSE KIDS GO HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY.

WE want our home to be comfortable for children and welcoming, but when we said we could only accommodate up to 4 people, that didn't mean up to 9 people if 5 of them were under 2 years old. It didn't mean free lodging for ANYONE.

You could allow hosts to offer free passage to children, in a discount setting. You could allow guests to search for "chlldren are free" or "infants are free" in a search feature.

You absolutely have to allow hosts to determine how many people they can comfortably, affordably and safely lodge.

We've added the following statement to our listing:

"While we are children friendly, we cannot provide free accommodations for children OF ANY AGE.  We welcome your children into our home but all fees and total number of guest limits apply.  We love and welcome children but at the prices we are offering, we cannot afford to have extra people of any age here, without compensation for our labor and resources. "

[Tony134]

"Hosts should welcome families unless a place is clearly not suitable for infants and children, something often best left up to the family to decide."

The part about leaving it up to the guests made me laugh. Some of the parents that send me requests in high season are so desperate to find an affordable room and so irresponsible, I'm sure they would let their kids sleep in the stove if I allowed it.

Ha, no.

[Andres37]

I am extremely annoyed by this change, as well.  How is it that we, as hosts, cannot decide if we want to accept more people just because they are infants? Where are they supposed to sleep if the entire capacity of the house is already taken by the paying adults?  Like others have said, if anything, infants result in more possibility of damages, more garbage produced, more water used, etc.  Airbnb really dropped the ball on this one.  I, for one, had to change my listing to not allow infants after one request came with 4 of them in addition to the entire capacity of my house. Ridiculous!  

[Tina237]

I recently had a booking with 2 infants (twins); I had agreed to this and it was OK (they were one-year-olds but small as had been premature) but I very quickly realized my property is not really suitable for more than one infant on top of full occupancy (ie 4 adults or a couple with 2 other children) not least because of the volume of disposable nappies but also safe space for high chairs in the kitchen and cots in the bedrooms obstructing escape routes. I would definitely have to cancel if more were forced upon me.

[Peter-and-Marilyn0]

I also totally think this is outrageous.  No kids in my place. It's not safe for children. It only has one bed for two adults. I would never agree to kids staying. No room for a cot or an extra bed. Who ever thought this up needs to think again. 

In the UK you have to book a family room in a hotel. These sleep 2 adults and 2 small children. Always more expensive. 

[Alexis135]

While 5 infants is insane, I don't mind hosting infants at all. If there are any parents in here, would you mind coming over to my post to help me be a better host for infants?

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/How-should-I-host-an-infant/m-p/662191