Guests checking in one day early and brings a pet to a N/P suite

[Via5481]

Hi Hosts!!

I'm very new to this and I hosted my first guest over the weekend and it was a breeze.

I was so excited to host our next guests who are supposed to check in tomorrow. 24hours prior to check in, I sent the information via text. 2 hours later,  to my surprise as I was outside about to run errands, they were already outside about to check in our suite. 

Anyway, they had their dates mixed up (fine) so I was able to accommodate them the extra night. I told them to come back in a few hours so I can prepare the suite....When my husband came home from work, he saw our guests unloading their bags with a medium size dog. My listing says N/S and N/P. He kindly reminded them that it was N/P allowed but since they're already here, they can keep the dog in the suite, just outside of the bedroom as we had just put in brand new carpet.

I'm trying to be a great host but how would you guys deal with this? I changed their reservation online so it adds to 4 nights and just waiting for them to accept it. I texted them to say this was done and here I am crossing fingers that they pay me the extra night. They have really good reviews by past hosts so I didn't think there would be an issue here. 

[Ann72]

@Via5481  It's easy for more experienced hosts to say that they would deal with it differently.  I wouldn't allow them in before accepting the change.  I would tell them the dog wasn't welcome (assuming "N/P" means "no pets," which isn't entirely clear - I mean, does "N/S" mean "no sinners"?  Or what?  What is it with abbreviations?  What do people who type "u" instead of "you" do with all the time they save?).  I would tell them that if they don't accept the change, they will need to check out after 3 days, not 4.  I would sit on top of them until they behaved.  But what's done is done.  They're in your house.  Now it's up to you to get them to do the right thing.  And to realize that it's experiences like these that make you change your hosting style, for better or for worse.

[Sandra126]

@Ann72 , u r so much fun. Also give good advice, a bonus. 

[Ann72]

@Sandra126  LOL.  See how much time I saved?  

[Elena87]

@Ann72 

N/S surely mean no sh&7, although our nascent host is taking a lot of it in this drama.

@Via5481 Ok, it's easy being wise after the event, and a host has to be quick thinking sometimes. I would have told the guest to send an alteration by x o'clock and the room will then be ready by y o'clock. If not, see ya tomorrow.

[Via5481]

You're absolutely correct,  everything is a learning process. Now I know what to say and do the next something like this happens. And thanks to this forum!

[Via5481]

Thank you Ann for your feedback. I will be more clear with the abbreviations on my listing. They've accepted the reso changes (phew) so it's all good. Moving forward, sounds like I will have to reiterate the booking info as to when they are checking in and out and remind them general house rules. Appreciate your expertise. 

[Ann72]

That's great news @Via5481!  You've gotten a great outcome, plus you've been a good sport.  I see blue skies ahead for your hosting life 🙂

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Via5481  Airbnb is confusing to guests and hosts.

House rules are placed on the bottom of the page and additional rules are hidden below it, behind a tiny "show more" link. Guests don't see it, don't read it, even when I tell them to read it they sometimes can't find it. As it is a popup window I can't even send them a link.

Last changes introduced pet-fee but Airbnb also suggests guests declare their pet is emotional support or service animal so they don't have to pay.

Airbnb also doesn't multiply pet fee by the number of pets so it is the same for 1 and for 5 pets.

And, like a cherry on top, Airbnb says " If you travel with more than 2 dogs you should let your host know.." This suggests that guests don't have to let us know if they travel with 1 or 2 dogs.

Airbnb also removed the pet-friendly filter so guests are having a hard time searching for pet-friendly listings, and it means we can expect a lot of them to arrive with pets without telling us upfront.

Due to the above last changes, hosts should also write NO PETS in their listing's description.

I would suggest you send the lock code on at the time of check-in, not earlier to prevent early check-ins.

As other hosts advised, you should tell them to accept booking alteration before letting them in.

You could have also refused to host them with the dog or you could charge the pet fee on arrival.

I am glad they paid the extra night and I hope your new carpet will stay clean 🙂