Early arrival

[Betsy114]

Hi,

My instructions to guest say, "Check in is at 1:00 unless other arrangements are made."  Sometimes it's no big deal.  Today, I had a guest arrive and let himself in at 730 am.  I went over and knocked to see what's going on and he called out (without coming to the door) and said, oh, sorry, I drove a long way and thought I'd just crash early.  What would you guys do? Fortunately, the space was ready but it seems very rude.

[Karla533]

My philosophy on this stuff is always "no harm, no foul."

However I would definitely send him a polite, light message that conveys that this was NOT an acceptable behavior. @Betsy114   "Golly, if you'd arrived 5 minutes earlier, you might have walked into a dumpster fire! So, in the future, please contact your host before arriving prior to check-in time. Thank you"

Because if you don't express how you feel about things like this, the irritation is likely to build up in you and that is not fair to you.

[Sarah327]

Late to this post, which seems ironic, but I am sick of guests arriving on the "off chance" they can check-in early. 

Sometimes only 30 mins, other times an hour or more.

I often do quick changeovers, so if I stipulate 4 pm in my listing that's because I need that time between to get my cottage ready. 

Rarely do I finish with more than an hour to spare, so some time ago I started sending the code for the key box via automated text at check-in i.e., 4 pm and not a minute before!

I advise guests of this at booking and remind them again nearer their stay. On the whole this works well and has dramatically reduced early arrivals.

I know some don't mind letting guests in early, but I don't agree nor is any host technically covered should anything happen in the time between the guest's arrival and the contracted hours (check-in and out times) they agreed to upon booking.

I'm just wondering if you mentioned in the guest's review that they arrived early? As I'm thinking of starting to whenever my next guest does.

Honestly it is an issue for me... I mean, how hard is it to message and say "we might be early" and give a host the chance to say no. It's simply poor communication and poor planning.

It's rude and often sets the precedence that the guest doesn't care about contracts, rules etc.

Would love to hear how you handled your early guest and whether you experienced any further issues during their stay.

[Betsy114]

Thanks for your input.  At the advice of Air BNB, I charged him for the extra time (but he never paid).  Air BnB said there was nothing that could be done other than that.  I mentioned that in his review.  I understand when someone asks if they can check in a little early, and sometimes that's fine, but to let yourself in 6 hours early and act incensed when I knock at the door is pretty rude and doesn't bode well for how the guest will take care of the space.   I think your tips will be really helpful in the future.  I don't currently have that type of lock box but it may be time to invest in one.

[Huma0]

@Betsy114 

I had quite a bit of trouble with this when I first started hosting (see thread below):

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/How-can-I-stop-guests-ignoring-the-check-in-time/m-p/304...

No, it's not acceptable at all that the guest shows up six hours early without permission and without informing you. Check in times are clear and he was just taking advantage of the self check in set up/host not being on site. At the very least, he should have been apologetic, not angry at you.

I haven't read your listing, so I'm not sure if you mention anything about check in/out times other than having them filled out. Because I don't do self check in, I ask my guests for a specific time but I have had to get very strict about this because so many guests seem to think that they can still pitch up early or very late, often not bothering to inform me.

So, I have added to the 'other things to note' section in the description:

"Check in is from 3-9pm and check out by 11 am. Please respect these times and do not try to check in earlier. If you need to store luggage before check in/after check out, I can send you some options for very cheap left luggage services, starting at just 1 Euro per hour or £6 for the whole day. If you would like to check in after 9pm, please ask about this IN ADVANCE and bear in mind there will be an additional fee."

And in my house rules:

"• Guests must communicate their arrival time prior to or at the time of booking. Please respect my check in time of 3-9pm. I do not provide luggage storage at the house prior to check in/after check out. If you are arriving in London earlier, I can send links to inexpensive left luggage services. Late check in (after 9pm) or late check out (after 11am) can sometimes be provided for an additional fee of £10 per hour but please enquire in advance. If you arrive earlier than the check in time without the host's permission, you will not be granted access. If you stay past the checkout time without permission, you may be charged for an additional night."

This might seem harsh, but if you read the thread above, you will see why I felt I needed to do this.

If a guest doesn't communicate their check in time, they will be asked for it again and I always remind them that "Check in is any time from 3-9pm" but stress that I do need a specific time so that I can make sure I'm home. If they are vague, they will be asked closer to the time to be more specific. I then send them a message with directions etc. usually two or three days before their arrival, in which I write, "I will expect you around 3pm, but do please let me know if you are running late. My number, in case of any problems is..."

I have found it really necessary to reiterate the check in time so they know that it is non-negotiable. If guests keep asking for early check in/bag drop off, they will be politely but firmly told no and given links to cheap luggage storage. Of course, I do sometimes make exceptions (for those who ask nicely and where I can easily accommodate, especially with repeat guests) but I don't advertise this. There are many people who will take a mile if you give them an inch. Guests who totally disrespect your check in time are likely to disrespect other rules.