Lettio,
Thank you for providing the policy! I just came across this group after finding myself in a situation to approve, or not approve an upcoming guest's request. I had legitimate concerns about an overstay possibility based on the guest's initial contact. I tried calling Abnb to see what support they would provide if I find myself in an overstay issue, and I only got frustrated in the process because of their lack of support and information.
Based on my concern that this upcoming guest may overstay, I created the following response. Taking action upfront and letting the guest know where you stand is always the best policy. A host is never obligated to put themselves at risk for the sake of any guest.
"Hello (guest),
I received your inquiry to stay with us (xx dates). Thank you for your interest. Similar to all Abnb Hosts, I am in the business of helping respectable people find alternative options to staying in a hotel when traveling out of town.
As a host, I have made rare exceptions to guests who wish to stay with us for an extended period of time. Even more rare is the exception to extend their stay past the initial agreed upon number of days. This can only be done when the days immediately following are open on our calendar, and only when the requesting guest books the additional nights through the Abnb website at least 24 hours in advance of their initial end of stay.
As an Abnb Guest considering/requesting an extended stay, you should be aware of Abnb's 8.2.2 policy on this subject. Their policy states: "You agree to leave the Accommodation no later than the checkout time that the Host specifies in the Listing or such other time as mutually agreed upon between you and the Host. If you stay past the agreed upon checkout time without the Host's consent (“Overstay”), you no longer have a license to stay in the Accommodation and the Host is entitled to make you leave in a manner consistent with applicable law. In addition, you agree to pay, if requested by the Host, for each twenty-four (24) hour period (or any portion thereof) that you Overstay, an additional nightly fee of up to two (2) times the average nightly Listing Fee originally paid by you to cover the inconvenience suffered by the Host, plus all applicable Guest Fees, Taxes, and any legal expenses incurred by the Host to make you leave (collectively, "Overstay Fees"). Overstay Fees for late checkouts on the checkout date that do not impact upcoming bookings may be limited to the additional costs incurred by the Host as a result of such Overstay. If you Overstay at an Accommodation, you authorize Airbnb (via Airbnb Payments) to charge you to collect Overstay Fees. A Security Deposit, if required by a Host, may be applied to any Overstay Fees due for a Guest’s Overstay."
If you are confident that you can abide by these terms, then we welcome you to stay with us from (xx dates), or longer as mutually agreed.
As you can see from prior guest ratings, (XX) is a great place to stay for those who need a temporary place to unwind 🙂
Respectfully,
(Host)