Room for only 2, but guest adds guests after booking

[Cheri336]

Hello,

My Cottage is designed for only 2 guests, yet a guest informs me that his son will be spending one night with them and they are bringing a cot.

I offered to put sheets on the sleeper sofa and it was okay since it was only one night.

The night before his arrival, he informed me that the son would be spending the entire 5 nights with them and how much would that be.

For me, it’s not about the money, the water heater only accommodates two and I don’t want that kind of wear and tear. 
I specifically put it in my description that it only accommodates two.

In the future, any suggestions how to handle this? 
it seems my options are to say no and perhaps they will cancel, which is ok.

It appears the guest just felt the liberty to add  his son, rather than respect our accommodation rules. 

And perhaps I have to be much more specific in my descriptions, no over night guests. 

thanks for your thoughts. Cheri 

[Helen3 · Accepted solution]

If you only accept two guests then just inform the guests that you can't accommodate a third person at the listing @Cheri336 

With the current guest I would confirm that they can't have a third person at the property and if you want say they can cancel penalty free so they can find a two bed property . 

[Cheri336]

Thank you so much for the advice and you’re right.

I’ve found that sometimes when a guest does something like that, there are other issues that arise as well. 

thanks again 

Cheri 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Cheri336 

This is an issue that crops up for all of us. Our boundaries are important and rule breakers do tend to take more liberties, as you said. Our rules state no visitors or over night guests. As you mentioned, the stress on the house can be substantial. Same here. @Helen3 has good advice. 

[Cheri336]

Unfortunately they also showed up with a large dog, that was not on the reservation and then argued with me that it was. I showed them that it wasn’t and told them about the additional fee and they got mad. 

Sadly off to a rough start. I will follow my instincts in the future and stand firm with my rules and nip it in the bud.

I’m so grateful that all our other guests have been kind and easy to host. 
thanks for responding. 

[Bob297]

@Cheri336 
I had a comparable issue today.
Booked for 3 persons
Shortly before arrival, they mentioned that a 4th person would come.
I friendly asked them to change the reservation, which they did.