Guests abusing air-conditioning + hookups

[Amira326]

Hello! This is A from Cairo, Egypt. I'm a new host and my first guest experience has been stressful mainly due to their abuse of expensive electricity with the A/C switched running what seems to be 24/7 and lights turned on at all times.

They're checking out in one day and I've had to restrain myself from talking to them about it throughout their entire stay as I already mentioned mindful use of our limited power supplies  in my house rules. 

How does one deal with guests like that?

The other problem I've encountered is typically Gulf-based requests to reserve my Airbnb with one question: can i bring female friends? Can my girlfriend check in the apartment before my arrival? Do you accept unmarried couples? etc 

For context: Egyptian law requires that Egyptian and Arab guests present their marriage certificates when they check in hotels, so I'm seeing that there's now a growing community of Egyptian and Arab guests who think they can make Airbnb their alternative hook up option.

I've turned down such requests because I dont want my space to have that kind of reputation (or get in trouble with authorities) but also because that's not what Airbnb is about. But I have no control over same-sex guest reservations requests which can also be for hook ups - or just regular friends who want to travel together.

Thank you for reading and for your help!

[Kimberly1100]

Make it clear in your listing that lights, TV's etc need to be turned off when they leave the room. Be very specific that excessive use of utilities will result in extra service charges. There is a section to add that. 

Make it a house rule then if they aren't following the house rules Airbnb will back you up in asking them to leave. 

Structure your listing to target corporate/ business professionals. To attract a higher quality of guests. 

Set you expectations in your description in a polite, professional, yet firm manner. 

Use chat GPT for assistance on that. 

Remember it's YOUR HOUSE. You call the shots. Yes, you need to be the hostess with the mostest but does not mean you have to tolerate behavior that makes you uncomfortable or is causing issues. 

Example: I was concerned about people drinking as I am in recovery. 7 years sober. I can't or didn't want not allow drinking at all. Who would book with me? I found tiny mini fridges at Walmart that hold a 12 pack. I took time to explain in my listing to please use those for any alcoholic beverages they wish to have during their stay. Not the main fridge out of respect of my 7 years sobriety. However, feel free to have the beverage of your choice while fixing your dinner or lounging in the backyard. Just please be sure to not leave any laying around. 

Not a single person has had a problem with it. Nor has it hindered my bookings. 

The more details you put in the description = less issues. Also, it deters the rif raf. They don't like rules. High quality people looking for high quality stays will read the forever long instructions and house rules and will appreciate the effort that was put into it. That right there says a lot. 

[Amira326]

Thank you @Kimberly1100 ! But how do I request extra service charges for excessive use of facilities when that's not an option via Airbnb? Just ask the guests to pay on site?

And because I'm new,  I'm still at the early stage of attracting my first guests in order  to get at least 3 good reviews..

[Shelley159]

Hi @Amira326 

Under house rules there is a section for "additional rules" where you can also explain these two issues to highlight them even more to guests.

If someone still uses too much electricity, you can click on that reservation and select the "request money" option to request extra money from the guest.

[Amira326]

I'm hosting a nice couple at the moment and even though I have four 'PLEASE SAVE ENERGY' notices across my Airbnb and installed a door in my open space living room to preserve cooling+ energy from the AC- THEY STILL have the AC on all the time they're home while not closing the door. One would think it's a no brainer: better cooling = closed doors, but it's just not sinking in (I even mentioned it to them in the nicest way possible.)

I'm more worried about over exhausting the A/C than I am about the bill at this point. Guests don't seem to realize they're abusing the A/C by exhausting it like that.

If i select 'request money' that won't resonate well with them and I need a good review since I'm new and they are my second hosting experience.  

While I understand that Airbnb's ratings are important, I also feel a bit oppressed having to shut up about things like that in order to get good reviews.

[Shelley159]

Hi @Amira326 

I understand that "request money" may feel inappropriate. Perhaps you could consider adding something about closing the door in the "private" part of your review (although this does not help you with future guests).

I also feel sorry for the machines when they get so overworked, but one hopes the shut-down function will protect them from sustaining actual damage. The upside is that the air-conditioning is then off for a while (while the machine re-sets), so maybe this teaches the guests to close doors.

If this remains a big issue over time, consider buying a stand-up perspex notice stand (the type that holds on-table menu's in a restaurant). You can print a note asking people to please close doors & windows when using air-conditioning and place it prominently on a table. You can mention the machine shuts down for quite a while when overworked - this should encourage them to take it seriously. I'm just worried that all the "save energy" signs may become unwelcoming (you say you already have four?). So if you try one prominent sign like this, perhaps remove the others for now and see if it works.

[Marie8425]

@Amira326 

Though your first guest has been inconsiderate,  most Guests aren't.   She iss right though if something is important to you, you have to  share in  a manner that presents as firm I have made my decision, not defensive or up for debate   because it isn't.    Collecting the fee is not the goal as much as if you do see it occuring again you will feel a little more power to remind the Guest that breaking your rule has a financial penalty

Any bookings you loose because you were polite but had standards are probably good avoidances.

A lot of us use the free toolChhatgpt  you put your rule in ask for ad copy and it presents it very positive enticing people who like your rules.

I find certain things like one of my  rooms had a thermostat control but Guests just don't realize in AZ  we have central air so that thermostat controlled more than their room, inn that case I  just bought a lockbox on Amazon problem solved.

[Rebecca]

Hi @Amira326 👋

You've got some great support here from other Hosts. Have any of the answers given you some ideas to help with the air conditioning usage? 😊

[Marie8425]

@Amira326 

Oh to avoid being known as the hook up destination haha  I had one property in Hawaii we had that issue because Hawaii doesn't have   motels and it was rooms in an older home so lower prices.  I  found setting  my minimum    stay  to 2 days.    The usual Guest we wanted is visiting Hawaii 5 - 7 days and the hook ups are one day.

[John5097 · Accepted solution]

@Amira326 

The only problem I see is guest leaving the door open with the AC on. I use a label maker to put a note on the door, "Please keep door closed, mosquitoes" 

I also have in my house rules to keep doors and windows closed when heat or AC is on. 

"Please keep doors and windows closed when AC and heat is on to avoid damaging the unit." 

In my area it's very hot with extreme humidity. If guest keep the door open it can freeze up the AC with the excessive humidity and it working all the time. 

You could also add some door and window sensors, like a DIY alarm system, that way you would know if a window or door is open, and can message guest. (the alarm wouldn't go off, you could just see if a widow or door is open)

The lights I would just have LED and not worry about it. I don't have any rules about lights and guest never leave them on, and the cost would be so small it's not worth it as it won't damage anything. (I also don't want so many rules that it distracts from the most important ones)

You may also want to leave the AC on and have the space very comfortable when guest check in. This way they are more inclined to not tamper with the setting and crank it down all the way and open doors and windows. So while you may be trying to save some money by turning off AC when no one is there, it usually cost much less to just keep it at a comfortable temp. Although each space is different and if there is no insulation and oversized or very inefficient AC that may not be true, and you may need to find another approach, by posting instructions, and monitoring, without being intrusive, and being very polite and helpful. Some guest are really dumb or used to different climate and think having the door open helps cool the place even when its really hot outside or excessive humidity. 

Hope that helps! 

[Amira326]

Thank you @John5097  this is very helpful and kind of you to share.