Question from a guest about guests

[Katrina135]

Hi everyone. We are currently staying in a property listed as entire home but found out just prior to check in the owner has a 2nd home on the same property, which is no issue for us. This means we share the entry and driveway etc. 

Yesterday we had 2 visitors. 1 for approx 25 minutes whilst waiting for me to be ready to attend the beach and my friends son who was in the house for approx an hour prior to the beach and approx an hour after the beach. Later that night we had my friend park in the driveway allocated to us and attend a Christmas party across the road with us with the same boy who visited during the day. 

I was questioned by the host about this during the day when she was entering to go to her houae and introduced her to our friend and she was clearly unhappy and didn't acknowledge him or respond. I have tonight received an email stating that guests are not permitted at all and she is coming to see me in the morning. 

Would appreciate some advice. The house rules says guests must be approved and paid for each night but nothing about day guests and i feel this is extreme action for a child and a separate visitor who attended less than half an hour in the morning.  We are here to see friends and socialise and I think it's unfair to state when we have the whole house that no visitors are allowed at all. 

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks. 

[Ricardo85]

@Katrina135

Terms of Service, item 8.3.3:

"8.3.3 You may not bring any additional individuals to an Experience, Event or other Host Service unless such an individual was added by you as an additional guest during the booking process on the Airbnb Platform."

Ricardo

[Katrina135]

Thanks Ricardo. So our friend just waits at the gate for us? I thought guests were referring to those sleeping over, not day visitors for up to an hour??

[Yulianna0]

@Katrina135, we are dealing with very different people and some of them are source of trouble. Add to this liability issues and you will understand why your host was unhappy. And, besides, I think that it is basic courtesy to ask the host if it is possible to invite someone to their house... 

[Katrina135]

@Yulianna0@ Thanks Yulianna. I have always thought we could treat the home as our own and be respectful but obviously that's not the case. We are social people and our son has other friends visiting in the coming days which we are aware are not allowed now. I will never understand how 9 year old boys could be a security threat. To check in the host left the entire house and front gate unlocked as she couldn't be here and doesn't have a lock box. I would think that's more of a security threat. We think it's best if we just leave early as she is very unhappy about us having had visitors and will be at our door first thing in the morning again.

[Yulianna0]

@Katrina135, kids can be active. And if he falls down, breaks his leg? Or if he breaks something in the house? Host are not paranoid, we just have our experiences and trying to avoid troubles. Good conversation with your host can help you to solve the issue. So she will be calm and not expecting you to break the house rules and you will enjoy your holidays. 

[Daniel1992]

A simple message to the host, ahead of time, saying something along the lines of "Is it ok to have someone drop by for about 25 minutes before heading out?" could have prevented this.  I know if I was the owner of the property and someone let someone else on the property that I didn't know, I'd be upset because I have no idea who they are or what they'll do.  There have also been a ton of stories of guests letting other guests on the property that have caused damage or other issues, but the guest refuses to pay because it wasn't them, and AirBnB won't cover with their insurance policy.

[Katrina135]

Ok thanks Daniel. Good to know how it can be avoided. The first line of rules is absolutely no parties and it states that guests are to be paid for but doesn't deal with day guests so we have made assumptions it's ok based on previous trips. I definitely wouldn't stay somewhere where the host is located next door again as we are being watched and it's uncomfortable but we know what to do about guests in the future. 

[Daniel1992]

My advice on assumptions:

Always assume that what you do won't be accepted unless you message first.  It avoids anything.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Katrina135

Day guests are also "guests". The term "guest" is NOT limited to only people spending the night. 

Also, an entire home means that you have a private entrance - it could be a cottage on the same property or a basement apartment or an in-law suite. It does not necessarily mean you will have your own detached house with a private yard and parking and complete privacy unless the listing description says so.

Based on your posts....... I think you should try to do a better job of read the listing description and house rules before booking instead of "assuming" based on previous experience. Each host, each listing is very different. I'm pretty certain if you go and read the listing description, everything you've mentioned is already explained. 

Let's say you have relatives staying in your in-law suite. Would you be fine with your relatives inviting and bringing their friends who are complete strangers  into your home without checking with you first?

Your friends, your son's friends are complete strangers to the host. The host has no idea whatsoever who they are, what they are doing and technically they are are "trespassing". The host approved you and your son as guests - your friends and your son's friends were not included in the deal. 

[Katrina135]

@Jessica-and-Henry0 we sure would be ok with it. We want people to be social and have a good time. We are also hosts and love to hear our house has been used to entertain and have fun. Everyone is different and that's ok, this place just isn't for us. Maybe airbnb need to clarify as we stay in many places and this is our first issue and we have always had 5 stars. We have someone host our house for us so we are not across all of the rules and have previously stayed at places that state 'no visitors' and approved guests pay extra so we have always thought visitors were for the day and guests overnight. We don't need to be shamed about reading things properly. We came here asking for clarity and help which we have received. Telling us to do a better job of reading the description isn't helpful, it doesn't address this issue but we will advise the host to add something on there for future reference. 

[Helen3]

I agree with an earlier comment, if you aren't sure, it's always better to ask @Katrina135

I think it is rather unfair of you to imply that hosts who have different rules from you,  don't want guests to be social or have a good time.

There are liability issues for the host, if you invited people onto the property who haven't booked and paid. If they damage the property or have an accident the host won't be covered by Airbnb's guarantee or liability insurance.

I am sure you can understand as someone who hosts their own place what a difficult position that puts the host in.

Having said that I have in my house rules - that I am happy to for guests to invite their friends/familyonto the property as long as they ask me in advance and it is not staying overnight.  An have had guests had relatives, business colleagues and friends over.

I think your host has slightly over-reacted, but I don't know their insurance terms or house rules.

[Katrina135]

@Helen3@Thanks Helen. The reference about fun and having a good time was in response to someone asking if we would be ok with our relatives staying with us and inviting friends over  (which they often do!). Not about out current host. 🙂

Thanks for your feedback. Its certainly been a learning experience and to be honest it probably seems that for us staying in hotels and using their lobby area to spend time with friends will be better. We didn't plan either guest today until last night and this morning and don't want to be worried about getting approvals whilst on holidays. I've been up about this since 1am upset that it's happened and now I just feel sorry for airbnb hosts who have obviously had bad experiences! 

[Helen3]

Honestly @Katrina135

Please don't get so stressed about this. The majority of hosts with whole listings wouldn't have reacted in the way this one did.

No point spending time worrying when you are on holiday. Just say to the host you made an honest mistake but that you have friends living locally and would it be okay if they spend some time with you, while you are here.

Don't let this put you off using Airbnb .

I share my home so like to know who is coming and going. I am sure you understand. Once a guest discusses this with me then they can invite their friends/family as they like.

[Katrina135]

@Helen3 Thanks. She has made it clear no day visitors are permitted now which is a shame as the whole point of being here is to meet friends who can come here and go to the beach with us. As I said I understand both sides and will chat to her soon. I think the biggest point will be changing her rules and listing as it isn't clear and to state that extra overnight guests must be paid for suggests to us that day guests are ok so it's all down to interpretation.

Thanks for your help.