Early checkin

[Deborah84]

Hi,  I've just accepted a booking and the traveler has asked to check in at 11am, so they can use the facilities before heading out for the day.  I haven't agreed the time yet, but I wanted to know if I can charge a surcharge to cover the costs of water, electric etc

[Gari0]

No..

you don’t have to charge for water and electric bills 

[Lisa723]

@Deborah84 you can, but I wouldn't. My suggestion is to keep your nightly rate sufficient to cover an occasional early check-in without nickel and diming your guest, which is likely to lead to a poor impression and a non-stellar review.  (If the check-in is so early that it effectively requires you to block the previous night, that is an entirely different story.)

[Helen3]

I don't agree with other comments here.

Depending on your check in time. You could offer a half day rate.

You won't be able to let the place the night before, as you wouldn't have time to turnaround the place,  so need to be compensated.

[Christine615]

Just say no. It's easier.

I did tell a guest who asked that i would not know if I could permit early check-in until 24 hours before because the apartment might be booked. Turns out it was, so I didn't allow it.

Hotels will tell you that they don't do early check-in because they need time to clean. People assume for private homes that they are the only guests we have.

 (By the way - if you do allow it, I wouldn't charge extra for the utilities. In the scheme of things its a tiny fraction of the overall costs).

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Deborah84

It would depend on the type of guests you get and average length of stay. If you cater to a touristy or passing by type crowd and average stay is 3 nights or less, I'd probably say (1) NO (need time to clean, previous guests will not have checked out yet, room not available before the allotted check in time~) or (2) yes for a price (early check-in fee (I'd say 40% of the nightly fee sounds about fair) to be paid prior to arrival (using the "request money" function) and is non-refundable even if the guest ends up not needing the early check in, you had to pre-adjust cleaning schedules and whatnot to accomodate their request) 

If you get a lot of early check in/late check out requests, this is something you should include this in your other things to note or listing description.