checking out

[Mary1717]

Hello,  I've been hosting now for about two months.  Learning all the time and on the whole am finding people to be very pleasant.

However, one problem keeps on repeating and this is the check out time of 10.00 a.m.  It is shown on my listing and also in my welcome letter.  Even when I point it out to people they don't seem concerned that they've overstayed.  At a bit of a loss on how to deal with this without causing offence. The behaviour causes me offence as it throws out my day completely and if I have a cleaner coming in messes with her.  She's booked elsewhere, has to leave, I have to pay her anyway and then do the cleaning myself!

I understand I can charge for overstaying and would prefer not to do this.  What's apparent is that guests seem oblivious that keeping to the agreed time is required and are so casual about overstaying.  If I push they seem really surprised.  

I've reached the conclusion that I am failing to communicate my requirement for the check out time to be adhered to.  Does anybody have any suggestions as to how I can get this point over in a more effective way?  It has been suggested I print out house rules, frame them and put them in the flat.  Not sure what I think of that?

Thanks - fascinating forum

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Lisa723]

@Mary1717 It is not the norm in my experience. In our vacation rentals we send a short message the night before check-out asking guests to note the check-out request list on the refrigerator. The first item on the list is a reiteration of check-out time (11am). In our basement guest suite  (check-out time 10am) we send no reminder. However we do have a laminated print-out of house rules, including check-out time, on the coffee table. Overstays are extremely rare in both scenarios.

[Rowena29]

Hi @Mary1717 

there's already been heaps of great advice on this thread.

I'll just add one more tactic that I"ve found useful.

I also have a 10 am checkout. I actually moved it BACK  from 11 am to 10 am.

HOWEVER,  I have set up my listing so that the day of a checkout is blocked for a bookings -  ie unless i manually over ride it in my calendar, I never have the situation where I have a guest checking out and guests checking in on the same day.  ( I over ride this in peak holiday season time) . This works for me as I live 1.5 hours away from my listing and also work most days, so can do without the stress ( I clean myself)

so of course I don't  really NEED the guests out by 10 am.  Then when they check in ( or a couple of days before checkout if it's a longer stay) I tell them, that I am able to offer them a much later checkout time of XXXX ( sometimes 12 midday, sometimes 2 pm if  I can't get up to the house before that anyway - it depends on the guest and how reasonable they've been)

The guests are super happy, and think I'm terribly generous. this is also their last memory before they leave, so definitely no harm done when it comes to review time!  win win for us all.    If I can't offer a late checkout for whatever reason, I try to offer an early check in - maybe midday instead of 2pm.  

This may not work for you of course, but on the few times I"ve had same day turn around I've found it very stressful ( but then I have a large 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home which gets very dusty and sandy)

If anyone ever asks for a late checkout up front when they book I NEVER say yes straight away.

I say I will have to wait to see what other bookings come in, but if at all possible I will offer it and I'll let them know the day before.  Keeps them guessing and make them realise it's an act of generosity, not a right.

Hope that's of some help.

Cheers

[Romana19]

Mám stejný problém,také potřebuji aby hosté ráno odešli co nejdříve,protože odpoledne obvykle čekám další a je nutné pro ně vše připravit a uklidit.Někteří sice opustí pokoj,ale dál zůstávají v bytě,v kuchyni si vyvařují jídlo,ale ten nepořádek tam nechají.Je mi nepříjemné je vyhodit.Ale je fajn nápad dát jim ceduli na dveře nebo na stůl,už tam jednu mám ohledně klíčů,tak tam připíšu čas nutný k vyklizení.

Díky za nápady

[Yadira22]

Hello @Mary1717 

hope you are well.

we send a check out message with instructions and timings the night before. If we can we offer to hold their luggage for them but reiterate that the room and all other household amenities are out of bounds past said time. Furthermore, there are several companies situated all over town which are happy to hold onto your luggage in exchange for a small fee (eg stasher).

Good luck! 

Yadira 🙂

ps. A gentle reminder to let them know that you need as much possible as to prepare the room for the next guest and any check out passed that time comes with a fine of... is also a good deterrent from certain guests extending their stay. Sometimes you need to be a bit more firm!