HOW TO charge late check-in fee

[Michelle-Joanne0]

Hi there,

Is there a way to charge a late check-in fee if it is clearly stated in the listing?  I am not asking if I should but HOW TO do it.  I have a convenient check-in service with reasonable hours however is not available beyond those hours.  If they show up late it will cost me extra money to have someone meet them which is a new requirement in our city (no lockboxes unfortunately).  

Thank you!

[Shelley159]

Hi @Michelle-Joanne0 

You can use the Send/Request money button on the booking and enter the amount. It usually works very well, the guest just needs to approve the charge.

So sorry to hear about the self-checkin ban in Italy.  It's going to be difficult to accommodate late arrivals and (if you use a physical key) to figure out what to do with the key at check-out.

Please keep us updated in a few months about how things are working out and how you are handling the in-person check-ins.

[Michelle-Joanne0]

Hi @Shelley159 

Thank you for your response!  So there is not a specific option for charging this fee?  We are dependent on the guest accepting the fee?  

The notice for in-person check-in was sent from our Commune, not Italy, so I think it is not country-wide.  It makes it very inconvenient for the host and the guest!

[Shelley159]

Hi @Michelle-Joanne0 

Yes, if you only want to charge the fee to some guests, the way to do it is through the resolution center (send/receive money).

I don't have the same late fee issue as you, but "send/receive money" works very well for me when I charge postage to send forgotten items to guests. I think if your guests tell you in advance that they need a late check in, it will probably also be easy for you to collect the money from them before arrival using "send/receive money". It may be more difficult with guests who don't let you know about late arrival well in advance - if they're already communicating poorly about arrival, they may also not accept the charge? All you can do is try and see how it plays out - there will probably be a few adjustments necessary over time with the whole change to in-person check-in!

The biggest complaint usually seems to be that someone (host or guest) has to wait around for the other one to show up, or that they have to rush to meet the other at a specific time.

If I were you, I'd make it clear that I'm forced to do it and that it's not my choice (it does seem to now be law in the whole of Italy, so that will help you as more people will know about it). Good luck and please keep us updated!

(Hopefully you also get some responses from hosts in exactly the same position to give some advice.)

[Michelle-Joanne0]

Thanks, again, @Shelley159 .  I have never had to use "send/receive money" option before but it sounds like the best way to go.  I will keep you posted on the transition!

[Jaimie37]

@Michelle-Joanne0 I have also used the send/receive money function with good success. I agree though, you should definitely put in your listing that the fee for a checkout outside of XXXX hours is $XX. If the guest refuses to pay, you can ask Airbnb to reimburse you through its AirCover insurance as long as you can provide an invoice or receipt showing you paid a fee for the late check in.

[Heather1961]

Can you go to a wireless combo lock?? You can change code for each guest.  And then you have record of check in time too.. you change your whole door lock.  But maybe that’s still considered not ‘in-person’..

[Angela1056]

Ciao @Michelle-Joanne0 , you already got some excellent advise about the late check-in fee but let me clarify something about the rules of hosting in Italy.

Self check-in was never allowed in Italy but owners and Property Managers played around this law by requesting the ID of their guest online in advance and then load them up on the Alloggiatiwebsite of the Police Headquarters at check-in,  without even checking whether the documents corresponded to the guests who actually arrived. 

This is what the law says:
“Art. 109 of the TULPS establishes that the managers of hotel establishments and other accommodation facilities, including those that provide accommodation in tents, caravans, as well as the owners or managers of houses and holiday apartments and guest houses, including the managers of non-conventional reception facilities, with the exception of alpine shelters included in a special list established by the region or the autonomous province, must communicate daily to the public security authority the arrival of the people housed, by handing over a copy of the card or communication, also by computer means, according to the methods established by decree of the Ministry of the Interior. The managers who did not provide for the communication of the people housed were subject to the application of a criminal sanction.”

The latest communication from the Ministry of Interior n. 0038138, 18th November 2024, reiterates that you have to check the documents of your guests “de visu” (personally) at arrival and that the key boxes on the public street for guests arrival are banned. 

You are always allowed to use a key box on your private entrance but only for self check-out.

[Jackie1010]

Yes, you should be able to do it thru the send/receive money on the site. If you cannot use lockboxes can you use the smart locks where you can do it thru your phone and leave the keys for the guest inside the property?

Hope this helps it has helped me. When the guest didn’t know how to use the lockbox.

Good luck and sorry about the lockbox restrictions.

[Holly804]

@Holly804  I would communicate your municipal code as part of your general description so people dont feel targeted.  Then direct them towards the payment (send money 💰) option.  Another possible option is to install a coded key pad.  This is possible if late arrivals are the issue but rather accessing the lockbox is.  

[Alex]

Hi @Holly804 ,

Remember to tag the person you are referring to so they can get your answer faster. 😊

Have a nice day, 

Alex