Guests are asking to stay for couple hours after their check in time

[Malika51]

Hi everyone. 

I’m new to a Airbnb community:)

I  have guests that are asking to stay for couple hours after their check in time and I don’t know if I’m supposed to charge them for that. And it feels wrong to ask for them to pay  or take cash  from them. 

How do you guys manage that? And if someone asks about staying for couple hours what is your answer when you say yes and no? Please share your ideas with me. Thank you so much 

[Ann72]

@Malika51 No, don't charge them.  (Also I'm assuming you mean they want to stay past check-out, not check-in?)  By booking they accepted your house rules and check-out time is one of them.  It's up to you whether you want to agree or not (and by now you may already have decided), but it's also totally okay to be firm and tell them you're very sorry, but no.  Don't overthink it.  If it works for you that day, say okay, but set a time by which they have to depart so you can get the place turned over.

[Malika51]

Yes I absolutely meant to say check out. Thank you sooo much for your helpful advice 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Malika51 

Agree with @Ann72 - it's up to you to decide whether you will allow a "free" late check out, or will charge for it and if so, how much. And it's a good idea to be very specific about how much longer they can stay beyond the check out time. A couple hours can mean 1~2 hrs or even 5~6 hrs. If you don't want to allow it, don't be sorry about saying no, just be firm and say, something like "I have guests coming and need to get the room cleaned & ready. Or My cleaner is already scheduled to arrive at XX and does not accomodate last minute schedule changes." and reiterate the check out time. 

If this happens frequently, it might be a good idea to have information about luggage storage services nearby or cafes where they can relax/kill time for a couple hours. 

[Malika51]

@Jessica-and-Henry0 thank you so much. It helps a lot