No infant policy in my listing, now guest that I declined wants specifics...help!

[Stacey16]

I had an inquiry from a guest for he and his wife and a 6 month old. My listing clearly states in a couple of areas that my place is not suitable, etc. I declined politely and then offered the suggestion that there are plenty of listings in my area and to keep trying. Now he wants to know WHY he can't have his 6 month old, since it doesn't crawl.

I don't feel I need to answer, do I?

Does he really need to hear that there is no place for the baby to sleep (I'm sure that they'd say they'd bring a pack and play, or whatever), that I don't want smelly diapers in my house, that my neighborhood is VERY quiet and 6 month old babies can cry a lot, and that there's a liability factor in case something happens??? Of course, I will say none of these things.

However, after my initial decline and polite reason, he wants more answers and complained that many other listings in my area say no children under 12 years, too. He has also waited until the last minute, trying to plan a beach getaway in August, in a tourist area. Do I have to answer him????

Thanks!!!

Stacey

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Stacey16 No, you don't have to explain anything.

If they have sent you inquiry then your first answer is just enough.

If they have sent you the request then your answer is not enough but you also have to click on "decline" button and you have 24 hours to do that or their booking requiry will turn into booking.

[Stacey16]

Thank you, @Branka-and-Silvia0!

I am grateful for your response. I did decline it last night. This morning was when he responded by asking why I wouldn't let an infant, who wasn't even crawling, into my home. Obviously, a new dad, who has no clue about the things I mentioned in my post. He also is new to Airbnb, only had an email as verification, and no reviews. Last minute person trying to get his way without planning ahead, I think!

Thanks again!

Stacey

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Stacey16 you have your house rules with a reason even if they don't understand it and you have no obligation to explain your rules to them.

But at least they have sent you inquiry / request and told you how old his child is. We had few bookings for adults and after booking they mention in a message that they are in fact adults with kids. Then I have to contact Airbnb to cancel and wait until they do it and free my calendar. They just waisted my time with no mercy.

Some guests book for adults and then sneak their children in...  those are the worst kind 😞

[Stacey16]

Yes, @Branka-and-Silvia0, there are always some folks who are not truthful. I don't do Instant Booking for this reason. I ask a few specific questions before I okay the booking. It's my home and I'm going to only rent to two adults, no children or pets, ever. Liability and the other reasons I mentioned. If guests can't understand that these are our homes, they can go to a hotel/motel.

Thanks for the support, my Croatian friends!

Stacey xo

[David126]

I use IB and have had very few issues, not sure I could have spotted them in advance.

[David126]

And no point carrying on the converstaion, where would it lead?

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Stacey16

I would just repeat - "As covered in the listing description and house rules, the home is not suitable for infants and children. Best of luck finding a child-friendly listing that meets you and your family's needs." Leave it at and click DECLINE. You have no obligation to explain why. 

[Cormac0]

@Stacey

Most reasonable people realise that having infants and young children is an imposition on a host, while I've allowed a young couple with an infant stay in my apartment, it did not seem like a good idea when the child was balling its head of at 23:00, waking the whole house!

In days of yore people were much more respectful of other peoples wrights, and allow their own wrights take a back seat under these circumstances, now a days some people feel compelled to exercise their wrights at everybody else's expense.

My advice is to ignore them, as you've already given your answer. 

Regards

Cormac

The Explorer's Club Krakow III