Should I be at the house every night

[Maureen447]

I have a owner occupied Airbnb.   It is pretty remote and I am constantly booked, which is wonderful.   The Airbnb is self contained with its own private entrance bedroom, Bathroom, Screened In Porch, Deck and Kitchenette.

My Question is... Do I need to be here every night?  Sometimes my Mom who is elderly would like be stay the night with her.  She lives 1 hour away.   I understand I must be here when they arrive and leave and they always have my cell number if they have a question or a problem arises.    But I have never  spent the night away with Airbnb guest.  I would love to hear what you wonderful Hosts Think.  Thank you so much, Mimi , Mt Shasta Views High Desert Retreat and Sanctuary

[Pete69]

Oh you again. The post says "I have an owner occupied Airbnb"

[Sarah977]

@Pete69  Yes, and her listing is a private room in her home. Not a separate suite that guests have to themselves with no shared spaces and self-check-in.

You don't have an owner-occupied listing. You have an on-site host listing. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Maureen447 

We have a private room listing in our main residence and we used to host long-term stays (international exchange students) pre-covid. Henry and I never let the guest know in advance if/when we were not going to be home on any particular night. We trusted most of our guests but we did not want to risk giving them a chance to *have a few friends over since "the parents (=hosts)" will be out of town tomorrow night*. Most of our guests were okay for a night here and there. One particular guest we were afraid to let her be home alone for an extended time as she was a bit accident-prone and careless in the kitchen. Henry was afraid she'd start a fire or make something explode in the microwave. 

[Anonymous]

@Maureen447   It's not even all that necessary to inform the guest that you'll be away overnight, as long as they know how to contact you if there's an emergency. Being a homestay host doesn't mean you have to always stay home.

The only exception I can think of is if your listing explicitly advertised interaction with the host family as part of the experience. For example, a homestay for foreign students as part of their education about the local language and culture, or a social stay for solo travelers along the lines of the CouchSurfing network. This wouldn't to apply to you, based on your listing description.

[John5097]

@Maureen447 

I also have a owner occupied listing. The city actually requires homeower to sleep and stay while having guest. Also has to be their primary residence.

The only reason I mention this to be clear its not an Airbnb requirement. I would at a minimum have someone close by who can respond to any emergency, or to make any adjustments.

Another option would be having a house sitter. I've considered reaching out to former guest to see if they would be interested in house sitting while other guest are here. They already know how Airbnb works and what other guest might need in any situation. A friend or family might do that as well. 

I also haven't had any guest need me. 

You would have to decide if you wanted to let guest know or not. For me I wouldn't and just be ready so scadaddle on back if something came up and have someone else willing to go there right away just in case. 

You said your listing was self contained so that would imply a guest suite or such. I think that could make a difference if guest are expecting to meet the host or self check in. In my listing I say I don't even see most guest but fun to say hi from across the yard if we happen to be leaving at the same time. 🙂  

[Maureen447]

Thank you!  All good advise and information.  

Mimi

[Dimitar27]

Based on my experience, your guests will be more then happy if they don't see you around.

So, there is no need to be there, if there is no local regulation about that. For example-to be there at check-in and out.

But you must be careful. This is your home, you live there and probably you keep many things, that can be broken or stolen.

[Sarah977]

@Dimitar27  Not everyone has the same hosting situation or gets the same kind of guests. My guests book my private room because they want to  have a local in a strange place to relate to. I have gone out to lunch or dinner with my guests, gone on beach days with them, they have come home with a bottle of wine to share. They have invited me to eat a meal they have cooked, or I have offered them the same.

I have no idea what sort of interaction Maureen has with most of her guests, but the vast majority of my guests would not be more than happy not to see me around.

We can't assume that other hosts' relationships  and experiences with their guests are the same as ours.

[Maureen447]

Thank you for your thoughts on this matter.  Much appreciated.😊. Mimi

[John5097]

@Maureen447 

The only time guest have needed me is one locked their phone in the apartment and forgot their door code. If you are planning to leave, you could let them know you will be staying with your mom on and off, next few days, and set up a secondary lockbox with a key. You could make that code or both codes the last four digits of their phone number. That was if something goes wrong with the smart lock or they lose their phone there is a backup for them. I have a backup plan just incase there is a problem with the smart lock, because I'm almost never home when they check in anyway. As others have said you would need to use your judgement assessing people. I'm saying that to avoid to avoid getting argument. This is just an option and each host has to assess their own risk, of course.