Disabled Guest

[Dee47]

Hi All we have currently staying a wheelchair guest who is day 5 of a 29 day stay, this our first time hosting a wheelchair and were unsure if we would be suitable, so far access has been good to all facilities even to outside as we bought ramps were the issues have started to arise is that our $58 rate looks far too cheap as we have ended up having to feed him for most meals the damage to skirting boards already notes. Slamming of the wheelchair against class in shower area and pool glass fence as he pushes himself into the pool etc all things that aren't his fault. Also without communication he has his 8 year old daughter dropped off daily and she remains for up to 6 hours as the can't leave our house they remain in main areas all day. Also we end up feeding her too. He has never asked and I do have compassion but it feels like we are being taken advantage of. We have been asked to lock up our pets as the child does not like animals.we aren't auitable for children and our listing shows pets and pets are a big feature of the stay and we normally are conscious to limit pets around guests but all day someone around we have the pets locked up. Now I feel I am on egg ahells in my own home and at $58 totally not worth it. We must have been lucky in the past as we have had wonderful easy guests any advice

[Karen-and-Brian0]

Hi @Dee47 Oh dear. 😞 I really feel for you! .... but I think you need to set some boundaries FAST or this is going to be 29 days of absolute hell for you. This isn't what you signed up for, is it? You have to ask yourself what's ok with you and what isn't. This is your home. It isn't suitable for children and yet you have an 8 year old there every day for 6 hours; you have pets but now they have to be locked up because of a child your listing isn't suitable for - honestly, I think this guest needs to find another more suitable place to stay or the daughter has to stop coming over. Simple as that. 

If you are ok with things continuing as they are, but would like to increase your pricing for increased services, you could certainly do that. Tell your guest you will have to start charging for extra meals and for the extra person, and change the reservation to reflect that. If he doesn't agree, he can find a new place to stay. 

An experienced host and contributor to this forum had a post about boundaries not that long ago that I thought it was excellent - maybe you'll find it helpful, too

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Hosts/Thinking-material-for-hosts-who-still-have-qualms-about-settin...

All the best of luck with this & please let us know how you get on - Karen

[Dee47]

Thanks Karen and Brian, good advice, I have asked that he at least inform us of the times he will be having his daughter in the house. Also I did say that there is room in the pantry and fridge for him to store some food, and encouraged him to head out and do some shopping tomorrow which he seemed to think was a good option, so we will see. I do sense he has a feeling of utilising all the facilities like daily washing machine use and continuous wifi use. Utilising nearly all of the house as he moves to different locations as he never leaves. It's hard as you can't help but feel for him but your right another 24 days feels excruciating 

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

You are being taken advantage of - being disabled does not entitle you to expect free care and food. You need to have a discussion with your guest immediately and explain that you did this to help them settle in, but going forward they need to arrange their own meals etc. Do you have rules regarding additional visitors? If not then I would probably accept the 8 year old being present as company. It's a learning lesson to ask lots of questions when an unusual situation presents itself at the time of booking.

[Rosemary19]

Your situation sounds awful - you are definitely entitled to set some boundaries here and make it clear that you don't provide care, free food or childcare. I would also suggest that you stop providing the services that are making you uncomfortable (food, care, ramps, etc) and let your pets out. Your guest isn't a mind reader, so if you're providing all that support without letting him know it's inappropriate, it's no wonder he isn't changing his behaviour.

And for future reference, it might be a good idea to clearly articulate your expectations in your listing, then reiterate them when greeting the guest for the first time - I find that preemptimgimg these things is always better than waiting for problems to occur. 

[City-Limits-Ranch0]

Guest "My daughter is afraid of the animals.  Can you take them away now?"

Host "No, they live here.  You can certainly close them out of your room."

Guest "That food looks delicious, is there enough for us?"

Host "No, sorry.  We don't cook for our guests.  Here's a list of take outs that deliver.  Or you could call Uber and have a driver shop for you.  I'm going to the store later today.  If you give me a list and some money I could pick something up for you.  If your daughter is hungry right now I'm happy to let you use this peanut butter, jelly and bread we have here, this one time."

Guest (crashing into glass pool enclosure) "whoops." 

Host (rushing over and anxiously inspecting the glass, rubbing the scratch and looking worried) "I'm sorry but if you can't get into the pool without hitting the glass I'm going to have to ask you not to use it.  This cost thousands and if it breaks you'll be responsible."

Get the idea?

You can't be trampled by hamsters unless you lie down.

[Louise47]

Hi, I might be able to help you a little. I'm in a wheelchair. No you do not have to do everything for him. The more you do the more disable he becomes.  Yes he is taking advantage of you. I'm in a chair and Im very capable of get and cooking food for myself.  If he can't care for himself then he really should not be looking after a child.  Yes he does know how to manover his chair so it should not be hitting any glass at all. I have glass around my pool and in my shower and I have no problem staying away from it.  This just means he does not care about your house. I dont hit walls either so he should not be.  I would be letting your poor pets out.  Put it this way if he was able body would you allow him to get away with this, if the answer is no then dont let him just because he is in a chair.  Please don't allow yourself to pity him just because he is in a chair.  He is a person who knows better.