Concerns on Kids-for -free policy

[Piero35]

I have some concerns on the kids-for free policy. Here my major concerns:

• Kids between 0 to 2 y/o free: hosts should be able to choose whether kids are hosted free, it should not imposed by Airbnb. In general kids require more cleaning work, mopre attention, etc.
• There should be an area for extra services that the host provides to kids between 0 to 2 y/o (cot, high chair, etc). And again, the host can choose whether to offer them for free or at price.
• Kids between 0 to 2 y/o should count to the total masimum numer of guests. In my house I can host max 4 guests, and with this policy I might receive a reservation for 4 adults and 4 kids between 0 to 2 y/o amounting to 8 people, which, frankly I don’t know where to place
• Even if I do not click “family friendly” house, I still have to offer the conditions as to points 1,2,3. By the way, I don’t want to unclick “family friendly”. My house has always been and still is family friendly (I have a great playground next door), I have hosted babies for 6 years now and families and they have been very happy to pay for the babies and the extra services.

[Peter-And-Su0]

I think it makes sense for it too be an option for hosts to offer kids free places but to impose this without a word seems to me to not be very well thought out.

I understand you may have lots of hosts who wanted this option but I imagine that there are lots of hosts who were happy with the status quo.

I was advised i need to say I do not accept infants in order to then send a special offer to charge them. That is just confusing, impractical and unprofessional.

We love having kids here and we are definitely family friendly but the reality is that children under two generally create more work, disturbance and mess and an extra adult/child would so to offer this as free does not make sense for us.

It requires differnet beds/bedding to the standard and carrying a cot up and down two flights of stairs is extra preparation. Also small children do not eat less for a buffet breakfast. There is generally a lot of waste but the same amount of food is taken. To be expected to provide this for free or have the option of making them feel not welcome by saying we don't accept them is not really a choice.

I really feel that if you are going to make such a big change that involves a change in tariff we should be informed.

It's great that you listen to what other people want and need to offer but please remember that doesn't mean everyone who has said nothing feels the same.

[Cormac0]

@Piero

I think children should be charged a fee.

Practical example:

I had two girls staying with me for Four days they used 0.993 m3 of water, there utility usage represented 3.6% of their FEE

Per day per person .1241m3 of water

Then I had two adults, a toddler, and an enfant for two days and they used 2.475 M3 of water, their utility usage represented 11.89% of their fee 

Per day per person .3094m3 of water

Regards

Cormac

The Explorer’s Club Krakow III

[Esther13]

I do not like the current policy of infants for free.  Even though I have checked "not for infants", I have been getting them anyway.  Also, I often don't know they are coming until they get there.  I even have one booking where the free addition of the "infant" (a  2 yeard old) exceeds my max guest count. 

These "infants" cost the host.  Whether it is additional trash for diapers, more water usage, lots more cleaning, it is always a problem.  Personally, I find this age group to be more work than an adult.

With the policy in place, most guests expect to be able to bring their "infants" for free.  It would be difficult to turn them away once they arrive. 

To me, an infant is aged 0 - 12 months.  I wouldn't mind this age for free and much as I mind the 12 - 24 month age range.  This age group usually causes damage to the house.

[Ron103]

I make it clear in my description and house rules that I charge consider children and pets as guests and not ghosts.
They MUST be included in the adult guest count.
The host should always be the one to decide if a guest recieves a discount, NOT ABB or the guests!
Whoever came up with "Kids and pets are free" as a policy is $%^&*( stupid!
They are both usually twice the work if not more than all of the adult guest using the facilities at that time!

Airbnb, I hope one of your specialist is actually reading this thread, because this is a very real issue for me and has caused misunderstandings with more than a couple of guests for me.

[Cathy65]

Although we recently had our intelligence insulted by an ABB flunky telling us on another thread on this same issue, that most hosts were fine with this policy, clearly that is a lie. 

This policy does nothing but anger hosts and cause friction with guests.  Your "solutions" which require us to dun the guests for an extra fee do not work -- the guests either ignore the "house rule," and/or the host has to incur their ill will by insisting.  As numerous hosts have reported has been their experience.

Hosts are obviously, vehemently opposed to this wretched imposition of free guests by ABB. Change this, as of yesterday!!!!

[Susan598]

I'll chime in to get the numbers up. We only take infants to 12 months. Infants 12 to 24 months are hard on the furniture and take a lot more time to clean up after. Whoever crafted this policy has not looked after children yet!

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

I host a single guest bedroom in my home that accomodates one person, but potentially, the system allows a booking for 1 adult + 5 infants !!!!! This is nuts!!!! 5 infants does not add up to 1 adult - is this what Airbnb people really think???? 5 infants take up less space, use less water, need less TP, throw out less trash, are more quiet and noticable than 1 adult?!?!?!

Even hotels will not allow a single adult to check-in with 5 infants. Most hotels (based on my experience and understanding) allow up to 2 children (some places allow only 1) under age 12 to share one room with parents, which means a max occupancy of 4 including 2 children with no extra bed or bedding provided - if an extra bed or bedding is requested, there is an extra charge. Also, breakfast for child(ren) is charged. I have friends who always have to book 2 (connecting) rooms or a family suite because they have 3 children, and they pay for breakfast for 2 children (one is still a baby but not for long)!!! 

It's just a matter of adding payment options "charge for infants/children (Y/N) " and based on the selection, the cost per person can either be added for adults only or for all additional guests regardless of age.