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

[Jahavagayxn]

Okay, I am prepared to be told AIBU

the situation is group of 7 of us, 3 couples and myself (single when it was booked) booked an Airbnb for a weekend away. We are all close friends

we booked an Airbnb that has space for 7 people - 3 doubles, one single bed.

between the time of booking and now, I have started a relationship with someone and I would really like him to come. however, this obviously throws up an issue in the max capacity of the air BnB is already reached so it's not like we can just add one more person in

he's very chill, I know he'd be fine sleeping on the sofa or squeezing in the single with me. If we ask the air BnB host if we can do that I imagine they will say no though, even if we offer to pay more for the extra person?

or is it super cheeky to just all 8 of us show up and hope they don't notice?

or do I just accept he can't come? I know it's not the end of the world but I'd really love him to come, I don't want to be 7th wheel (again!) and these are my closest friends, due to living all over the country we rarely get all together for a whole weekend, so I'd like them to meet him.

This sounds reasonable.

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.

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

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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.

I'd say no because my sofa isn't suitable, but mine is only for couples! If it was a bigger place I would check with my insurance on max occupancy and say yes. I'd charge an extra £25 for the bedding if the sofa was going to be used, which is what it would cost to launder.

The host of course may not have a spare duvet/ pillows on site if they don't live nearby. I wouldn't want anyone sleeping on a sofa without bedding.

Tbh if my friends were fine I’d just take him along and offer friends some extra cash for his share. Mn is very black and white on right and wrong.

I would ask the air B&B owner first.
The last thing you want is to ruin everyone else’s weekend away.

I personally wouldn’t be happy having a stranger come to a trip that is for a group of good friends, it does change the dynamic.

I guess it depends on how long you’ve been with him and how many have met him before (I’m assuming at least one would have met him if you’ve been with him a while and they’re all good friends).

‘Before I book seperate accommodation for however many nights, would it be possible for my DP to stay. We are happy to air-bed and provide our own bedding for the single room. If so can you let me know the additional cost. If not can you recommend anywhere nearby for a cheap bed before I head to Premier Inn/Travelodge?’

If someone messaged me with that and my insurance was fine with it I’d let them stay. But I’d also keep an eye out for them staying if I said no because it wouldn’t be covered. I’d not be fuming. Circumstances change if you’d booked a long time ago. It’s a perfectly reasonable question.

Another host here - also depends on the location. In Scotland it is now illegal to have more than the designated number in the property, whether paying guests or just friends staying, sadly.

I'd be extremely unhappy about a man I didn't know sleeping on the sofa in a holiday home I was sharing with friends. If I wake up really early and want to go downstairs and read a book and have a cuppa, I don't want to have to tiptoe around a stranger on the sofa. And I don't want to have to go to bed earlier than I feel like doing because he's tired and he wants everyone out of the living area so he can sleep. What if the rest of them don't take to him? Best to introduce him slowly, in a situation where people aren't stuck with him.

Why don't the pair of you book a separate local AirBnB/ hotel/ B+B for the two of you? You can have lots of sex without bothering your friends, hang out with them when you want to and have privacy at the end of the day.

Just ask the host. No need to ask on this forum.

i don’t know why people are being so judgemental to you. I’m generally I’ve found airbnbs mostly are modest on size for number of people. Ie I’ve booked houses for 6 for 2, 8 for 4. Unless you’ve booked a really lavish one I’d not try to cram more in and that’s hardly romantic and beginning of relationship. I’d book a hotel and then you can have a lovely time with him and visit your friends

As a friend I ould be happy you have a new partner, but I might not be happy with someone new joining for the whole weekend.
Especially if the rest if you have all spent together like this before, and no one really knows him very well.
Could change the dynamic massively.
I want to relax when I'm away.
I'd find someone i don't know sleeping on the sofa really intrusive.
.

Amazed at the responses- I'd be excited to meet my friends new partner and would be very happy for them to join in.

You need to ask the owner - I agree that there might be insurance implications. Also what about towels, crockery etc. Will there be enough of everything to cope with an extra person.
If I was one of the original 7an extra person staying wouldn’t bother me cost wise if they were using your bedroom, but I’m not a fan of anyone sleeping in the living room.

OP, Ask all your mates by text if needs be, if they would mind him coming particularly if they haven't met him.

If they are OK with it, just message the AirBnB - better still ring them and explain and ask if he can stay, he's happy to rough it and you will pay extra. He will need bedding and a lot of accommodation only supply chairs, crockery, knives and forks etc for the max occupancy, so they may also accommodate that.

If they say no, book him in somewhere nearby.

If you don't ask and he gets discovered, who ever booked the accommodation could be barred from using AirBnB again and if you are found out mid break, they will chuck him out and maybe the rest of you and I can't see that going down well with your friends - so don't risk it. I can't see them turning their nose up at a bit of extra money unless their insurance does not allow overcrowding.

Same here OP!

What is wrong with some people?!

I’d personally check with the host and if they aren’t happy then he/you can book a room elsewhere. Only because if they find out they could turf you all
out!

Absolutely just ask.

Scotland here so licence dictates maximum capacity. But there is a pub round the corner and something can always be sorted.

what cannot, is lies.

we host a huge sporting event twice a year in the small village. The crew take my cottage. Tents, changeovers, etc. as long as I know about it I can make the next steps with licence and insurance.

there might be 30 people that week, but all switching over shifts fast and I’m aware of it.

one extra would not bother me if I knew.

Really? I’d be so delighted if a friend who’d always been single had met someone special and I’d be dying to meet them!

^ this. I’m a host and I would end any booking if you sneaked an extra guest in (and airbnb have supported me to do this in the past)

Your friends would end up without accommodation and still be charged.

I have entry cameras (which airbnb allow) so you couldn’t sneak him in : I have had 2 guests do this and I know and ended their bookings

Leave him at home or book a hotel room: putting the living room out of action is very selfish

i would/do allow daytime guests with no issues: let the host know you’ve booked another room nearby but will be joining the group for meals etc