Cheap guests,

[Liz6]

My latest guest has paid the princely sum of 26 pounds the lowest yet ?

I always provide a cooked breakfast and lots of extras ie drinks,snacks etc .This guest also wants to know if she can use the kitchen to prepare her evening meal,whatever that means.I am feeling a little abused and despondant. would be very interested to see what other people think .

thank you

[Marit-Anne0]

Your listing does not say access to kitchen, so if you are uncomfortable with the use of kitchen I would politely decline and suggest somewhere nearby where they can have a reasonable evening meal.

[Liz6]

Hi Marit.I did offer to book them a table at a local pub but they declined.stating that they want to use the kitchen ,I am going to accomodate their request,however for future bookings I have increased my price to what I consider a more reasonable level,which will make me feal better .Thank you 

[Andrea9]

Hi Liz,

I only rent out a room/bathroom in my aptm for max. 6 nights to guests.  My kitchen is principally not included, since it would be a major invasion of privacy for me. It is the open kind facing the dining area.Also my own bathroom is accessible from there. There are a number of eateries in neighborhood which is why I have no qualms whatsoever keeping it off limits.

What I did do is put one of those small fridges in the guest space with electric kettle and Nespresso machine (plus tea and coffee capsules). In my manual I say that I don't mind them eating in the room as long as they refrain from staining the carpet and bedding.

Nobody has ever complained. I had a woman once inquire about the use of the kitchen for making sandwiches in the evening if she booked with a friend. I very politely told her that I was willing to put a table for 2 just outside the room (with the extra mattrass on the floor the room itself was too small), but that like my listing says kitchen is not for use, and said because it was too much infringement on the privacy I still had in my apartment. Of course she never got back to me, but am sure it was not a loss.

I have been renting out for a year and a half now, and esp. also after following all the stories and problems on this community and I just stay very friendly but don't budge more than a bit. Guests are already getting an amazing price compared to hotels and most are really great. From what I have noticed in the community stories, is that guests seem to have an amazing sense for those hosts that can be bent into spirals of giving, esp. those getting great price reductions seem to be the most unthankful guests with regards to feelings of entitlement. 

Remember, it's your house, home, sanctuary - and your rules. I'm surprised you accomodated their quite shamefully rude stance. Don't be surprised if they cook up a storm!

[Michelle0]

Liz,

As a long-time host, I've noticed that the higher the price of your guest's stay, the higher the quality of guest. That said, the advantage to staying in a home is the ability to use the kitchen. Guests don't always want to eat out, whether for dietary or fiscal reasons. 

I would say feel free to provide guidelines for the kitchen, but don't cut it off entirely. Not being able to use a kitchen in a home can cast a dark shadow over the "welcome" feeling of a home.

In the future, I would say to remember that airbnb is a business not a friendly favor - so charge appropriately and certainly don't overspend on the breakfast, snacks, etc. You can be a great host without going overboard on expenses.

- Michelle

Founder of Cityami

[Jessa0]

Reading your listing, I'd recommend being more clear about no kitchen access, since it doesn't say 'no kitchen access' specifically, some people will easily expect it. And yes on the price drop - cheap guest ratio. I don't follow most of the ridiculous pricing tips given by that odd tool.