money request for extra guests?

[Melody22]

So I had a guest who brought in two more people than they reserved (yet again sigh) which carries an extra charge.  Last time this happened, it was a total nightmare because when I sent a money request, the guest grudgingly paid but left a negative review about the presence of outdoor cam (which they have to acknowledge btw before submitted their reservation request) and complained to airbnb who locked down my account so they could conduct their "investigation".  It took 2 weeks to get it back up. Total BS. 

So I changed my listing to make it clear that the guests need to reserve the correct number of people, etc.  and would be charged if they claimed fewer people than actually came.  Anyway I can tell from the cam it happened again, but what I would like to do to avoid another bad review is perhaps send a money request after 14 days (review period) are up. I was going to do nothing, but it just really bugs me. I was also not going to leave a review at all but then changed my mind and left one. 

Just wondering what ya'll think. I don't even know if you can request funds after 14 days??

[Daniela1586]

@an-And-Anne   Hello - I have it listed at the bottom of "The Space" Section.  Here is my verbiage:  

My home is comfortable for 6 persons so if you go beyond that number then approval is required prior to booking. If accepted, then there will be a $25 charge-per-person-per night.

I agree that $25 is pretty low and  you bring up some very good points.  I don't like more than 6 people staying but so far - no issues but that could easily change.  I like your idea of hiking the prices to detour this from happening in the future.  Thank you for the feedback and tips.  Much appreciated.  

[Laura2592]

I had a reservation where the guests sent me pictures of five people standing happily on the porch of my cottage after they checked out saying they were "thrilled that they found a place to have family stay." It was very early in my hosting career. We sleep 4. STRICTLY 4. And this was two couples a, a kid and a dog. We were never informed of the sleepover as the reservation was for two adults. We then instituted the extra guest charge over two people to help keep our cleaning costs low-- the money goes to the cleaning crew who has to spend time doing extra sheets and towels. We do not want any more than 4 people in our house and the absolute max occupancy is 4 people and one pet. Period. We prefer couples or single guests, truth be told.  I have had other hosts say that we should "pack them in" because we have two bathrooms and could easily fit more. Uh. No. Too much wear and tear. I also took off "sofa" and "air mattress" from my listing as well as I did not want to give the impression that there was plenty of extra sleeping room.

We now say in our rules, in our check-in instructions and in our house guide that we want no more than 4 guests period. We define that "guests" does include family, grandchildren, friends and new acquaintances. You would be surprised how many people push back on paying for overnight guests or even agreeing to the defintion of who a guest might be. 

[Tamsin26]

Hello Laura,

I have had several bookings this summer who booked as either 1  person or a couple so they were given a large discount ( less wear and tear, less laundry, less cleaning etc), and then used all the beds.

I am beginning to conclude that this is a common problem for hosts not actually at the property ( I was away for a period)

I believe as hosts we need more support from Airbnb ---- it is only on check out that you discover that all the beds/rooms have been used!!! What happens when the guest refuses to pay having had their holiday??

While I was away I had a guest booked as 1 person.... but my cleaner told me all the beds had been slept in. I sleep 4 - she was a woman who was given a substantial discount due to the fact she was traveling on her own  for "a quiet meditation retreat" ( all 3 beds were slept in and she used both bathrooms !!! ie 8 pillow cases used, 3 duvets used and 3 bottom sheets used all for one person!!!

Because I have ME - it makes a huge difference having this much laundry.

This guest claimed it was just her staying and refused to pay the extra guest fee.

If people cheat me on the number of guests it also makes it cheaper for 4 persons to stay in my cottage than staying in a bunk bed in a local hostel !!! (Where you don't get privacy or an en-suite.)

I have yet to receive help from Airbnb for my claim for extra guest fee - which should be straight forward enough.

Does any one have any advice in how to get support from Airbnb when extra people stay without paying?

Tamsin

[Helen3]

This is something you as the business owner need to tackle @Tamsin26 

airbnb is simply a marketing platform for your business

1. do you ask guests to confirm on booking the numbers booked cover all this who will be staying 

2. so you remind guests anyone not on the booking will be asked to leave immediately or may be considered as additional guests where payment is provided 

3. do you have cctv

These are all ways you can protect your STR business . 

[Tamsin26]

Thanks this is helpful. I appreciate Airbnb is a only a booking platform.

Was I being naive in expecting my guests to be honest when they booked the number of guests staying?

You couldn't do this ( book for 2 and turn up with 4) with an airline/ hotel / theater seat?

[Tamsin26]

Yes I have installed a security doorbell - not least as an alternative way for guests to contact me should they not be able to get mobile reception.

[Heidi313]

I've solved this by charging the amount we'd like per night, regardless of how many are staying (we sleep 4, but frequently have only a couple or individual staying). Our extra fee is $5/per person per night. This covers the extra cleaning and linen. I don't really understand why you'd want significantly less money than you'd get if 6 people booked your space - it's blocked from people booking it once someone has booked for 2, but you don't make the same as when you get a booking for 6. With such a small surcharge set it means we now always get the correct number of people booking in. I've also not booked in with listings myself as a traveller where they put in a significant charge per night- one London booking I was trying to book for my family of 5 was an extra $75/night per person after 2 people. It was for a 1 week booking, and this added so significantly to the cost that I naturally didn't book. They're better off getting long term bookings because it's less turnover/ cleaning etc, but by doing this they're going to limit themselves to short term bookings. 

[Stuart463]

Great advice for a host! I don't book an Airbnb, which charges extra for each guest. Okay, you'd accept $2000 for a certain number of guests, but you want $3000 for more guests. It just doesn't make sense to me. I guess I can understand that the cleaning fees/time can be more, but we clean our houses before we leave. It's almost like no one was even staying there. 

It would be nice if Airbnb had a SuperGuest tag, and these guests would get discounted rates because they clean up after themselves and are low maintenance.

Just food for thought.

[Kristen510]

I would LOVE to give out "SuperGuest" badges to guests that follow rules and are neat and tidy!  Great idea.

[Conner27]

SuperGuest is an excellent idea! I have seen guests do all laundry for us at checkout and also no laundry at checkout. Recognition to those guests would be a great incentive!