child staying but not overnight a violation?

[Tensi0]

Hello,

Our policy states 'no children'. We have a second-time guest who is visiting family in town again. This time around he has his son staying at our house during the day (they are at the house most of the day), and his son then goes to sleep at his mother's house. We are not comfortable with the arrangment, but so far are allowing it.

Since the child is not *sleeping* at our house, is it technically breaking our house rules?? 

What is my recourse? If any.

[Kelly149]

@Tensi0 some hosts (& many abb guests) believe that a guest is anyone that spends the night and anyone else is a visitor.

So as to avoid confusion, my listing says that anyone on the premises other than a pickup/delivery at the front door requires registration and a fee. 

You may need to further clarify your position if you'd like to avoid such situations again.

[Sarah977]

This sounds like a bit of a unique situation- the guest is a repeat visitor, obviously likes your place well enough to book it again and might want to again in the future; as well, it sounds like the child's mother lives fairly close by and this is a way for him to spend time with his son.

You don't state why you are uncomfortable with the situation- is it because your place is not set up for children and you fear the child may get hurt and you be held liable? Is the child noisy or rambunctious and you fear he'll break or damage things? Do you feel the guest should pay more because he has another person in the house all day?

Each of those possible reasons might call for different approaches, unless you just want to tell him your listing states no children, and that you need him to comply with that.

But if he is an otherwise good guest, cleans up after the kid, etc. you might consider what might make this a viable situation for him and you.

If you don't feel your place is set up to be safe for children (low railings, steep stairs,etc), that is definitely an issue and one that he should be concerned with as well. Do you have home insurance which would cover the child being injured on your property?

If the child is noisy or rambunctious, I can understand that you wouldn't want this in an otherwise adult setting.

If it's a matter where you think he should pay a little extra since there is another person in the listing, you could propose this to him.

Or if you just don't want a child at your place, well, hey it's your place, your call.

[Tensi0]

Hi Sarah,

you bring up good points and questions. We run a farm. We rent out the farmhouse and commute to the farm to work. Our concern with children is the inherent hazards associated with a working farm and the distraction of a little one running around, and getting their little hands into things (fertilizer, tools, plants, seedlings, etc.) Much of our work requires concentration to avoid mistakes or injury, so we prefer working without distraction or having to entertain. 

The father did book the place for him and his son as 'two adults' (our pricing is the same for 1-2 adults). 

I guess I'm still wondering if having a child all day long and *not spending the night* is a violation of Airbnb's 'no children' policy. Can I deny a guest if this scenario happens in the future?

[Sarah977]

Have you communicated with your guest about any of this? Your reasons for not wanting children around make perfect sense. You say the last time the guest booked, he did not have his son with him at your place. So would there be any reason to decline him in the future if he was amenable to not havng his child there during the day? If the mom lives close by, he may be okay with booking your place, but finding elsewhere to hang out with his son during the day. Or maybe you are upset with him because he ignored the "no children" designation and feel he's disrepecting your rules. (At least he did mention 2 people, even if he listed his son as an adult)

I don't know myself whether "no children" means you can't keep guests from having them during the day-I guess you'd have to get a ruling from airbnb on that. But considering the safety concerns, I should think you'd be well within your rights to deny in the future.

[Rebecca181]

@Tensi0 If you do not have your own insurance that will cover any incidents that may unexpectedly occur with this visiting child, then the child needs to be registered as a guest so you at least have some chance of being protected via the ABB Host Protection Guarantee. My property is also not suitable for children of a certain age (hot tub, stairs, Newt Salamanders); I have made exceptions and accepted younger children in cases where I am comfortable with the parents after vetting, phone screening, etc; however, I do have the parents sign a waiver releasing me from all liability if something happens on my property. Would it hold up in court? Who knows, but it does highlight to the parents that I am very serious when I say that my property is not suitable for young children and that they are taking a risk, which is highlighted in my waiver. I have my own commercial insurance; I myself would never rely on ABB's Host Protection Guarantee, given the stories I have read on here. But a few people say they have had better luck.

[Tensi0]

Thanks Rebecca for the insurance tips and info. (Fortunately fo me?) the father booked the reservation as "two adults" (1-2 adults are the same price per reservation). 

I gues what I'm wondering now is that if this were to happen again, can I tell the guest that this is a violation of the Airbnb policy, and is unacceptable? Again, the child is not staying the night—just all day—at the house.

Frankly it is stressful working in a farmhouse and on a farm with a child around. We don't want distractions causing an accident or injury to anyone. 

[Cormac0]

@Tensi0

I think it’s fair to say the moment you mention the child is possibly in danger on the farm and not follow through on asking the father to remove him, you'll change the dynamic in the event of a legal claim!

It’s not an uncommon occurrence in Ireland for children to be involved in farm accidents despite the authorities’ best efforts to inform people of the dangers.