Problem with guests

[Helen245]

I have a guest booked here for 5 weeks, she said she was having a working holiday in the UK as she has never been here before. She is perfectly lovely, but has no social skills, has taken over my entire flat and has not left the flat since she arrived!

How do I gentle persuade her that this is not normal behaviour and that I'm not comfortable with it?

[Helen-And-Mario0]

Helen, 

I am sorry but since she is here already there, and it was not discussed prior her arrival, it is probably a little too late to persuade her to leave the flat and go outing, and you don't want to destroy her holidays if all she wants to do is to stay indoor.  If I were you, I will probably do the followings:

1. Eat it up this time, and I will make plans to go visiting places I have not been. If she is in, I will go out. 

2. Just ask her does she plan to visit some places in town? and bring back some brochers for her to reference and let her know she can't miss visitng those places or she will regret!!

3. Try to know her, you may find her fascinating! 

At last, update your listing descrtipn about your expectation for the guests so it will not happen next time. 

Helen 

[Jeff158]

If she told you she was on a working holiday, I would ask her about the sort of work she's going to be doing and when it starts, you will then know when and which times she's in or out of your flat. If she was staying in my home, I would also want to know if she has the correct paperwork to come to the UK and work. 

If she's not going to start work, she's mislead you prior to booking. You probably only accepted the booking as she would be out at work during the day.  Its not a nice situation to be in and five weeks is a long time. I would contact Airbnb and tell them you are not comfortable with the guest. Yes, you loose the income but you get your home back.

[Andrea9]

@Helen245

If you can't find the words soon to remind her that she's actually renting a room per your listing and not the entire flat, you'll have to grin and bear it for the remaining weeks.

In situations where guests tend to 'extend' beyond given boundaries I remain kind, friendly but firm about what is included or expected of them. If it helps you psychologically, imagine being a hotel employee who has to enforce a hotel policy, and don't forget that you are running a small business and not a day care center.

"Dear XXX, this is not working as well as I'd expected... bla bla"

If you let your irritation build up, you might get something like this somewhat confused guest after encroaching bit for bit and taking over her host's space:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Travelers/terrible-host-in-Prague/m-p/374720#M3228

Next guest: let them know exactly upon check in what's offered and what is not included, because guests often don't read and/or have short memories.