Guest installed window air conditioning unit without permission.

[Jesus826]

A neighbor informed me that my guest installed a window AC unit one day into his 18 day stay and that the AC unit has been on the entire time. This is not a unit I had laying around either, they procured the unit themselves and installed it without asking. I own a duplex so when I visited the rear property,  the guests car wasn't present but the AC was ripping. My listing makes no mention of AC as an amenity I made sure of that. I actually live in that house when I'm not traveling so I understand the house gets warm during the Summer, I normally open the windows and crank the fans. I live in Southern California, I'm afraid my energy bill will be through the roof.

I suspect if the guest had actually asked about installing the unit I would have thought of some ground rules to establish but I didn't even get the opportunity to do that. 

How does one handle a situation like this? Can I charge the guest for their use of an air conditioning unit that they didn't get permission to install?

[Fred13]

Note the model number or Efficiency factor on the unit and determine whether it is a wash, cost of unit vs. temporary electric power cost. That should dictate how 'wrong' they were in the whole exercise.Not advantageous to make a federal case out of such temporary issues with guests, never is.

Regardless I would approach it with finesse and an open mind. Maybe having an A/C is a good idea, once you adjust the price of your offering to cover its cost.

[Ana2038]

@Jesus826 , I wouldn't make an issue of it. It's been hot and unbearable here in So. California.  Your first concern is your guest(s) comfort during their stay.  We (host) all strive for a 5 star review. I agree with @Fred13 , that you probably should install an A/C or multi split unit in your unit. Personally,  I would not book a place that did not have A/C.

If you end up looking at getting A/C for your unit, take advantage of the Federal Tax credits available to taxpayers under the new energy efficiency programs.  You can Google to get more details. 

Best..

[Fred13]

Good point on the tax credit@Ana2038. Also if I understand it correctly, there have been major heat waves this year in the U.S.

Btw, there is a new federal program that helps to add solar grid-assist to a private home and even guarantees a cap on energy electric bill to not go over a certain amount regardless of private use each month. One of my sister just did this, that is the extend of my first-hand knowledge about it, but it does sound very interesting.

[Jesus826 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies @Ana2038 and @Fred13! I’d like to note that I understand the frustration with no AC, I mean I live in the house, I get it first hand. I agree with you @Ana2038 , I wouldn’t book a place without AC during the summer.  My prices reflect the amenities or lack thereof to be on point. @Fred13 if they leave the unit it could help offset the cost of the electricity, true!

Previous guests or interested parties gave me the benefit of asking if I had AC just to confirm what they didn’t see on the listing. I didn’t see this use-case coming which is why I decided to reach out. We’re fortunate enough to be superhosts and in an effort to maintain this status I will install a mini-split in the front house as soon as this guest leaves. To @Fred13  point, I’ll then be able to bake that into the price and politely ask for consideration (24/7 use was not baked into this stay 😅). No fuss no muss.  

You two have brought up important points. Thanks again!

[Helen3]

The guest should definitely have asked @Jesus826 . What did the guest say when you raised the issue with them.

I'm not sure how you could work out the electricity involved or whether Airbnb would approve any claim. 

[Mar125]

@Jesus826 

You can certainly charge guests for damages (including the unauthorized A/C vents in your windows). 

You can also put an excessive utility clause in your house rule for future stays. 

And install a smart thermostat to limit minimum temperature. it saves you thousands of utility bills every year.