Am I overreacting?

[Inna22]

A guest booked next weekend back in December to attend a wedding. I mention legal capacity in the listing, in things to acknowledge when they book and in my welcome message. She is now telling me she will have makeup and hair people as well video and photography people in access of my legal capacity for a few hours while they are getting ready. I do not necessarily mind this activity in itself. It does not sound like they will be throwing a party and yes, they will overuse the resources a bit but they paid a lot of money to be at the house, I am not going to be petty. These are my concerns: I did have an overcrowding issue a couple of years ago. I got a $2500 ticket from the city and had huge issues with my license. It was a full on party deep into the night which is not what these people are doing. However, I do not to be sending a message that can even remotely be interpreted as me allowing overcrowding. Next thing I know, she would want to bring friends back after the wedding to continue celebrating. Second issue is video and photo. From what I have read, that equipment is not kind on floors and walls. I am also worried about electrical grid. This is an old home and if they have hair fans, video, professional lights and other equipment plugged in at the same time, power may go out. And it will be for me to deal with as of course they will not want to be a second without air-conditioning and will claim that I ruined the entire wedding because they could not get ready and will claim nothing but one cell phone was plugged in the entire house. I am trying to figure out the best way of dealing with this without angering the guest but also setting firm boundaries. Should there be a separate contract where she acknowledges the power grid and gives me a credit card for accidentals? Should I be an additional insured on any insurance any of the professionals will have? Or am I taking this way too far? I of course told her absolutely not a sole over my allowed headcount and IDs from everyone.

[Jess78]

@Inna22 yikes that’s a bit of a delicate situation. Since you clearly stated your maximum capacity, I would definitely send the guest a message saying that each person who enters the property who is not listed as part of that maximum capacity on the original reservation will reed to her at X amount extra, to cover these additional utility, insurance, cleaning, licensing, etc. fees. She most certainly does not have to use your home as a base for these services coming in— she’s not even the bride. There are other places she can choose to have her hair done and photos taken, and she is taking advantage of you and the agreement she made when booking.  If she’s not willing to pay whatever amount you deem appropriate per person she chooses to invite into your home, you should hold fast to your agreement and call Airbnb to ask them to cancel for you.

[Inna22]

@Jess78 chicago is very strict about overcrowding. There is not an amount of mo way that would make me jeopardize my license 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Inna22 

 This isn't a normal, typical Airbnb rental situation. She was clearly trying to take advantage of you and your home.

Thank goodness she cancelled 🙂 

[Inna22]

Well, it is not over! She has sent me 10 messages in the last 20 minutes. She never intended to cancel

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Inna22  What!?!?!?!? Wtf?!?!?! 

If it were me...... I'd probably stop being polite at this point and be very pushy and insistent about MY RULES. 

[Sarah977]

@Inna22  She cancelled, but she never intended to cancel? What? 

I don't get it- you said in your OP that she booked in Dec. to attend a wedding.  How did this turn into a houseful of people getting dressed, hair and nails done, photographers, videographers, etc? Now it sound like she's the one getting married. Or she's the wedding planner.

Just going on the facts you've posted here, it sounds like she misrepresented her intentions originally, then springs all this on you months later, maybe figuring it's too late for you to kibosh it? She really sounds like bad news.

Good luck.

[Inna22]

@Sarah977 Yes, apparently she is the bride!  To give you a little bit more details, when she booked, she said she has been communicating with me through another account mistakenly. So maybe there was some communication at the time however because that time of the year is my booking season, I couldnt/didn’t  keep track  of conversations.  I have so many conversations with potential guests, I do not bother remembering them. If they book – I usually have the record in our exchange.  Of course now it is all coming together – the woman can’t even keep track of her Airbnb accounts.  Or, as I do love a good conspiracy theory, she might’ve asked all sorts of questions at the time, didn’t get the answers she wanted and so she proceeded to book using another account.    The only message I have saved from her is that she was using the wrong account and she’s booking it for “my wedding party”  but then goes on to say “bride will get dressed at the place”.  So I thought she was the mother of the bride.  I am booked by bridal parties all the time, usually by the mother. Why would she refer to herself in third tense? I have never experienced anything like it and had no reason it would turn into anything more than people staying here, putting outfits on and going out. 

Obviously now I will scrutinize every wedding request. 

It also turns out that one of my other places is booked her by her friends! I cannot get rid of her!

[Kira32]

@Inna22I would say no. If you don't feel comfortable with the reservation then it's best to let go.

[Paul154]

@Inna22 

Thanks for sharing your story. It's nice to know that even experienced and professional hosts can get duped.  

You are not over-reacting. Guest has taken a reasonable "friends will come to put on clothes before a wedding " to a professional photo studio with risk of partying.

Say no. Cancel this reservation. Cancel her friend's reservation. I personally woud even consider cancelling it with penalty.

There is a reason weddings are expensive - don't pay for her wedding.

[Jim-and-Marcia0]

@Inna22  You have incredibly beautiful and large properties (5 to 17 beds) including one that can sleep 31 people! Wow!  You're experienced in hosting large groups, but this is certaininly over the top.  Glad you're getting to the bottom of these reservations.  Curious as to which of your properties this party booked. Care to share?

[Inna22]

@Jim-and-Marcia0

 Of course! No problem! They booked the spacious home – the one that fits 16 people. At that time I offered them to add the lower level for eight people but they declined. What is that saying? Cheap one piece twice? 

[Anna491]

All the best 🙂