Parents who book then kids show up

[Anthony608]

So I am keeping an eye on an upcoming reservation where I think the Dad has booked the room, but the son, who is under 18, might actually be the one showing up to the room upon check-in.  There was some very vague and ambiguous language in the beginning and I asked some very direct questions - mainly I directly asked the father was he the one who was staying in the room or was he using his account to book for his son.  The Dad swore up and down it was him and said his son was only helping him use AirBNB because he had never done it before.

I have no legitimate reason to call the Dad a liar- after all, he plainly said he was the guest and he would be staying here.  But I am curious as to what I would really be able to do if I were to come home and find the 16 year old alone in the room without the Dad staying there.  I am curious if anyone has had a similar situation before.

[Rick49]

Every host has their rules.  One of ours is clearly written "NO THIRD PARTY RESERVATIONS.  THE PERSON BOOKING THIS RESERVATION MUST BE THE PERSON STAYING HERE."  

Now... not everyone feels this way.  It is our home, however, and we want to know (and approve) any guest staying here.  It's just an extra step we take.  Yes, it may limit a few reservations.  That is what we are willing to do to have the peace of mind about who is staying in our suite.  No one has broken the rule, and we feel sure we just would not allow it.

I guess you need to decide how big a deal it is for you.  I hope this worked out well, as I see your post is a few weeks old.  

[Anthony608]

@Rick49- On the first night, the son (around 16 years old) arrived with a girl around 14 and they stayed in the two person room.  I was away the next day and on the third day started to investigate what I had seen.  That same evening, the dad himself came to the house and he apparently stayed in the room for the rest of the booking.  They caused no issues, although at one point I thought they were stealing toilet paper as rolls would disappear (three four at a time) within hours of being put in the bathroom.  I found out later it was actually another guest.  In the end, no issues and they left the room in great condition upon checkout.

[Helen427]

gosh @Anthony608  a 14 year old girl staying with a 16 year old?
Is that legal?

[Anthony608]

@Helen427  - I think it was the brother and sister.  The girl was seen later during the stay, coming and going, and they were acting like they were family.  The room is also twin beds, so nobody was in the same bed together, male or female, as far as I know.

[Helen427]

@Anthony608  that's a relief then.

When I hosted language school students one of the boys  came back to NZ with a female who was strictly a friend, both 14 yrs old when they arrived, & they stayed elsewhere until they got annoyed with their host & other students who were all older & they felt uncomfortable with..

Their host family thought they were up to no good as they used to keep warm under a blanket on cold days alas there was absolutely nothing in it.

They came to stay in my place without any issues for the rest of there stay as per what was originally part of the conditions of them coming to Auckland in the 1st place.

It would have been helpful if you had said in the first instance they were likely to be brother & sister.

All's well, ends well

All the best