More guests than stated - my first booking

[Becky521]

So I had someone book in for a weeks stay as a single person. I’ve been talking to my neighbour when I did change over and he told me there were three people there. This makes sense as both beds were used. 

This is my first booking so I don’t have any reviews yet. 

I’m contemplating whether to:

1. ask them if they meant to book for more people based on the evidence. 

2. Just charge a laundry fee, as I can prove this. 

3. leave it as it is my first guest and let them know I will waive the fees if they had more people staying. 

 I don’t have any cameras or hard evidence more people stayed overnight. It could be argued that he slept in the other bed some of the nights. 

Any advice would be appreciated- thanks 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Becky521 Do nothing - It is not worth a bad review as a new host.

Some other thoughts:

If you have 2 beds/bedrooms there is nothing to stop a guest sleeping in both. The only way to stop it is have a 2 bed listing and a 1 bed listing (where you lock the 2nd room) and price each accordingly.

By doing the above you don't have to worry about policing guest numbers.

[Becky521]

Thank you 🙂 

[Trude0 · Accepted solution]

I think it is an easy mistake to make as a guest, to forget to add the correct number of people. This since the default when starting the booking is 1 guest, and guests are not prompted (I think?) to fill in no of guests. Had they manually entered 2 guests, but 3 guests stayed, I would have assumed they were deliberately trying to avoid the extra person fee you have from 3 guests.

I would not contact the guests about this, and not mention it in the public review, but probably mention it in a casual tone in the private message part of the review. 

But you should probably add a text in your listing, reminding future guests to enter the correct no of guests when booking.

Good luck with hosting!

[Fred13]

We have this :

>> Reservations: "It is important that the reservation is indeed accurate as to the number of guests coming ~before~ arrival, it really helps us plan for your stay. Only 4-years old and younger are free."

We learned this lesson when a couple brought (2) 12/13 years olds and then had the guts to ask us - "Explain to us how 2 kids their age justify charging extra".  I did by asking them if the airlines let the kids fly for free. It is the last time we have had to deal with this hustle.

It is helpful to physically check guests in so if there is any discrepancy, you can tackle it then and there. It also lets them know you, in a most friendly way, you are indeed watching and dead serious about the subject.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Becky521 ,

Since it has been a while, what did you do in the end? Were you able to successfully communicate with the guest regarding extra charges?

Can’t find what you’re searching for? start a conversation