Air BnB - would we get turned away for bringing an extra person?

My DS and GF booked a one bedded apartment in London and told me after that another couple joined them and they slept in the lounge, I said you took a risk as you shouldn’t go above occupancy, but he said all his friends do it. We go on cottage holidays twice a year, only a couple of times have we been greeted by the owner and that was because owners lived next door.

OP Wen you contact the owner just say if they cannot allow an extra guest that the other option is for this person to spend time in the house but stay elsewhere. That way, if they do say no, but he goes they know he will be spending a night elsewhere.

Just out of interest what would you say as a host?

I'm a host. Just ask and explain as you have here. Offer to pay extra. They may so no because of insurance. They may say no because the sofa isn't suitable for sleeping on. They may say yes.

They would unlikely be insured as this counts as over occupancy. Weather they see him entering and leaving is another matter

There are potential consequences if you get caught out. Lots of AirBnBs have CCTV/Ring surveillance outside that would spot an extra guest, they are supposed to tell you about it in the listing, though I suspect a few don't mention everything. And it's also not uncommon for places to be annexes or next to the owners property. So being caught is a distinct possibility. If you're caught, your party could lose deposit money and whoever booked it could get a very low rating from the AirBnB owner making it more difficult for them to hire in the future.

Potentially, one or all of you could get turfed out of the place after the first night.

If you booked the place and are prepared to take the financial and reputation risk, and your friends are prepared to take the risk of being turfed out (maybe with a promise from you to pay for replacement accommodation), then it could be seen as just a matter of whether it's worth it to you or not.

It's not "fair" on the owner, though. They are renting out under specific conditions. Number of guests is limited for a lot of reasons - insurance, extra wear and tear, higher bills, more chance of upsetting the neighbours, lack of space a facilities for more people (so will meet people's holiday home expectations and mean better reviews, more satisfied clientelle) etc.

The responsible way to do it is to contact the owner, suggest you'll pay a supplement and bring a blow up bed/bedding/towels/crockery/etc. if necessary. But there's a good chance they'll just say no.

If you go the route of booking a cheap room nearby for him, make sure the listing doesn't say that guests are banned (many do).

Key box entry had been banned in Italy now, and I can see it happening elsewhere too.

It will be completely fine. Most Airbnbs have key box entry and you never even see the owner. I’ve taken airbeds along before ( not because I’m over capacity but because I don’t want to bed share) and it’s never been noticed or questioned. Check out the set up on Airbnb.

This sounds reasonable.

Bit off topic isn’t it? Op said she is in a new relationship mothing about a casual boyfriend.

Ask the host. If the answer's no (and there might be legal limits on the number of guests allowed), can you and your partner get somewhere else nearby?

I provide a generous breakfast, so more people = more food. If there are more than two people, the remaining beds are singles and need laundering pp and an extra bathroom/towels cleaning. Additional hot water for showers.

My price for one person is also very reasonable so even with a second person in the same room as an additional cost it's cheaper than average for the area.

I'd feel really awkward about being asked, because I would find it very difficult to have someone I didn't know on the trip, but wouldn't feel I could say "no", especially if I was asked straight out without time to think. I suspect I'm not alone in this.

If you're going to ask, then I think it would be fairer if you email them as a group and ask them to decide as a group, so it isn't one person saying they'd find it hard.

If they were a long time partner I'd met several times it would be a different matter, but if it was then I'd also expect them to have been asked.

Sport pressed too soon - there’s a maximum occupancy for a reason - sleeps 7 - 7 are insured - 8 matter the reason - uninsured

Most good rentals have a double up rule re crockery - 7 guests equals 14 cups - in France to get a official star rating you HAVE to show this to the examiner.
Re extra guests - as an air b and b host (I also use other sites) while I am nice (despite the username) I’d have to say no in the 7 bed- single room scenario - it does invalidate my specialist insurance.

I wouldn’t do it without checking with the host. As others have said it’s likely to have insurance implications. So doing it on the sly could result in the booking being cancelled for everyone.

As for bringing your new partner on the holiday, if your friends are ok then fair enough. Personally I wouldn’t include a new partner on a pre booked holiday. Invite them to a meal or a day out sure, even the next weekend away but I think it puts everyone in an awkward position to add someone to an existing booking. Everyone has agreed to go based on the original guest list. Adding an extra person can change the whole dynamic of the group.

Blimey. I’ve always worked in the basis that you are renting the property and so it’s up to you how many people come. Had no idea that the Air BNB owner would care a jot if one more or less person was there provided no damage was done to the property. I’ve been educated today!

One potential issue if he does come though is that there are probably only 7 of everything not eight so may not be enough cutlery, plates, glasses, mugs or chairs for him to hang out.

Since when was a casual boyfriend a "partner"?

OP said she'll be in the single room and IME they rarely have en suites, so as you say that's another person in the queue

Even if the host said yes there simply aren't enough beds for 8 and I doubt everyone else will be happy tiptoeing around someone asleep in the lounge, so personally I'd go with renting a small place nearby and just meeting the others in the day

Ask them . You could word it as how much of a supplement you need to pay to have an extra adult .

It is what you said ”cheeky” it’s like something for nothing even tho he’s offered to pay! I’d be annoyed if plans are made then a group member decides to bring their boyfriend. Plus it goes against booking regulations. The Airbnb have rules and you are going to openly break them! Book another time together go somewhere else?

Maybe there is an Abnb host on here who can advise you what to do if they haven’t already.

One beds are rarely for 2
It'll more than likely be a sofa bed

How would they even know? The thought of checking wouldn’t even cross my mind tbh, I’d just bring him

I wouldn’t mind at all a friend bringing a new partner on a trip like this but I’d hate them being asleep on the sofa as I’m an early riser! Maybe take an airbed or something for the single room if the hosts do okay it? But I do agree make sure everyone knows first so it’s not awkward!