Airbnb hosts have a right to expect that their guests will respect their property and adhere to their house rules. However, some guests choose to ignore these rules and bring extra people into the rental unit. This can be a problem for several reasons.
First, it puts extra strain on the property. If a rental unit is only meant for four people, having six or eight people staying there can cause problems with the plumbing, electricity, and other systems. It can also create extra wear and tear on the furniture and carpeting.
Second, it can create safety concerns. If a fire breaks out in an overcrowded unit, it can be more difficult for people to evacuate safely. In addition, if there are not enough beds for everyone, people may end up sleeping on the floor, which can be dangerous.
Finally, it can be a financial burden on the host. If the guests damage the property, the host may have to pay for repairs and extra cleaning fees.
How to Prevent Unauthorized Extra Guests on Your Airbnb
As an Airbnb host, you may occasionally find that unauthorized guests try to stay at your rental without your knowledge or permission. While this can be frustrating, you can do a few things to prevent it from happening.
The first step is clearly stating in your listing that only the number of guests specified in the booking can stay in the rental. You can also add a note specifying that any unauthorized guests will be asked to leave and will not be refunded. This will deter guests from trying to sneak in extra people, as they will know that they will not be able to get away with it.
Another good way to prevent unauthorized guests is to require that all guests provide a valid ID when they check in. This way, you can be sure that only the people who are supposed to be in your rental are actually in it. You can also require that guests sign a contract stating they will not allow unauthorized guests to stay in the rental. This will give you some legal recourse if a guest does try to sneak in extra people.
If you find that someone has booked your Airbnb property without your knowledge, try to contact the guest and ask them to cancel their reservation. If they refuse, you can cancel the reservation yourself and refund their money.
You may also want to consider changing your Airbnb listing to require that all guests be verified through Airbnb before they can book. After guests have booked your Airbnb, make sure you have communicated with them about the number of people staying.
Why Confront Unauthorized Extra Guests on Your Airbnb
It's important to remember that you are responsible for the guests who are staying in your Airbnb. This means that if something goes wrong, you may be held liable. For this reason, it's essential to ensure that you know who is staying in your Airbnb and that they are authorized to be there.
The Bottom Line
As a host, it's important to be clear with your guests about how many people are allowed to stay in your rental. Occasionally, you may find that a guest has brought along more people than they initially said they would. Try to be understanding but make sure you are firm in explaining your policy to see if they're willing to comply. If not, you can always politely ask them to leave.
If you're looking for Airbnb host tips to maximize your property’s earnings, turn to BeyondBNB.io. We help you run your Airbnb like an expert without needing to be one. Join us for our next free training to learn how we've helped hosts increase their earnings by up to 389 percent.