RV’s

[Shana106]

Hello! We just started our AirBnB and with our first guests, have run into an issue. I was  hoping to get some advice from some more experienced Airbnbers! Our guests showed up with an RV that is now parked in the driveway of the house. They did not give us a heads up that they were brining an RV... and have now: one, used the house to charge the RV and two, RV’s are only allowed to be parked in the yard for 10 days (per the cities rules). No one has complained yet, but we are concerned with how to approach this. I assumed they were required to let us know about something like this to make sure it would fit and that it’s allowed. Am I covered in this instance? What is the best way to approach this? Thank you in advance!!

[Andrea-and-Francis0]

I would be friendly & direct with them & explain the city by-law & tell them after 10 days they will need to find alternative parking somewhere else or you will be fined & upset your neighbours. It's unfortunate but knowing these guests have an RV, they really should have communicated that to you before arriving. We have had some guests tell us they have a huge truck & will that fit on our shared driveway. Some things I would think would be common sense for respectful & reasonable guests but after being in this Airbnb business a little while now I realize, some guests are completely clueless. To prevent this from happening again you can be proactive & put a message in your house rules regarding parking or ask every person after booking what vehicle they are bringing & if they will need parking on your driveway.

[Linda108]

You should know your market better than any of us, so is traveling in an RV common?  I would never have thought to have rules about RV parking.  Are your guests allowed to have unregistered guests stay in the RV while it is parked in your driveway?  If so, then the utility usage would go way up, right?  I agree you need to be specific about expectations and city regulations.  Be sure to memorialize your communication on the Air BNB message system.

[Nina204]

I would charge extra. They are basically running their refrigerator and charging their battery off of your electric.  Probably try to fill up their water tank with your water as well. Unacceptable.  That’s brazen.  They should have mentioned that. 

[Luana130]

Hi, you won't be able to charge them extra if it is not on your house rules (unless they agree to pay). Maybe you should write a rule about no RV. What you can do at this point is let them know about the 10 days limit, if they do not follow that (as it is a city regulation) call Airbnb that same day, explain, say that you are not confortable, that they could get you fined and in trouble and have them deal with it. They will probably cancel the reservation. Take some pictures to prove, and make sure all your conversations are on the airbnb website.

[Helen427]

@Shana106 @Luana130 @Nina204 @Linda108 

@Andrea-and-Francis0 

May I assume an RV is Refridgerated Vehicle?

Include a piece in your listing about notifying you how guests will be traveling to your home.

When msging your guests after confirmation of booking, send a msg asking how they will be traveling to your home & if they will have a vehicle.

If they have a vehicle to please advise what Model, colour and registration number is so you know who to look out for and is coming onto the property.

It's useful info to have should any issues arrive as you could always use that information to give to Authorities, if need be.

All the best

Central To All, Home and Location

Remuera, Auckland

New Zealand

[Beth80]

@Helen427 

RV stands for recreational vehicle. In the US they tend to be very large. ( Like most things in the US ;))  A camper van.

[Paul154]

WWHD?

What would a hotel do? 

I'm sure they do not allow extension cords from the hotel room to the RV.

If they do have a charging facility, I sure they would charge a premium for this service.

You are an innkeeper. Electricity and water is for only for personal usage.

Your guests need to pay you for the electricity and water for their RV, at a premium.  If they don't negogiate a reasonable rate - WITH A SMILE- they must cancel and leave. 

These people are abusers 

[Helen427]

Thanks @Beth80 , we tend to call them mobile homes, campervans amongst other names.

In general terms, One must be open minded who one has book & come to stay.

Perhaps they are doing a combination of ABB & camping ground, roadside stays during their travel.

It all contributes to the economy.

However it would have been courteous to have advised host/s in advance.

Best to have a friendly chat with them in person to keep things amicable as they may or may not know your local regulations if they are not locals.

Look at longer term future bookings & how they may chit chat to others about their experience on your property.

All the best

[Rhonda170]

I had a family from Europe who rented a motor home to travel the US in.  It was their only transportation.  I allowed them yo stay at my cabin and they were fine.  However, if they used your electric to charge their RV and water to fill their tanks, this was unexpected & you have the right to ask $20-50 charge.  They didn’t use your sewer to dump the tanks, so yep I would charge $20.