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For Airbnb property booking, one of the first things both hosts and guests need to sort out is how many people are staying. For hosts, knowing the exact guest count is more important. It helps them get the space ready. Hosts can stick to any rules about how many people the property can hold. Plus, it makes sure everything is priced right. For guests, it’s just as important to be honest about the number of people. So, they do not run into any problems.
But how do Airbnb hosts actually know how many guests are really staying? Well, they have a few tricks up their sleeve. From asking you upfront when you book to using things like smart devices or even security cameras outside, they’ve got ways to keep track.
Today we will see how hosts can know the guest count. We will cover everything from what you should ask when you confirm the booking. Also, how to set guest limits in listings, or how to use tech like occupancy monitors. Let’s go!
Why Do Airbnb Hosts Need to Know the Number of Guests?
Airbnb hosts need to know the exact number of guests to get the property ready, handle wear and tear, follow occupancy limits, provide the right amount of amenities, and charge the correct price. It directly affects their Airbnb guest management and property management efficiency. When the guest number exceeds the host’s expectations, it can be overcrowding, excessive noise, or sometimes damage to the property.
Safety and Compliance: Knowing the exact number of people staying helps you spot any safety risks and take the right precautions to keep everyone safe.
Pricing: Many hosts charge extra for additional guests. This is because more guests mean higher utility usage. Also, increased wear and tear on the property. All this means more cost, and you need to add up more pricing. So, when you know the exact amount of guests you can charge a fair price covering all the costings.
Property Capacity: Your property has limits on how many people can comfortably stay. If too many guests show up, it will be overcrowding and discomfort. Or more people can even damage the home. When you know the guest count you can avoid these problems.
Amenities and Supplies: For each of your guests you provide essentials like towels, bedding, or toiletries. With the number of Airbnb guests, the amount of essentials is limited. So, with more guests, they can not get enough amenities and supplies. So, with the exact number of people, they won’t run short of anything, as you will be setting everything.
Local Regulations: Do your city or town have laws on how many guests can stay in the short-term rental? If yes, then without knowing the proper counting of guest numbers you may get penalized. That is why to follow the rules you must need to know everything necessary details about your guest number.
Security Concerns: Unexpected extra guests can damage your property and it is also a security concern. Because when you do not know every member living in your property they will look like a stranger to you. To keep everything safe, keep track of the unapproved visitors.
Guest Experience: Not only for yourself as a host, but also for the guest’s best rental experience you need to match the number of guests to your property capacity. By this, everyone can enjoy an enjoyable and comfortable stay. Overcrowding can be a bad experience for both you and the guests.
What Can Happen if a Host Doesn’t Know the Correct Number of Guests?
Here is a quick check on what can happen to you, if you do not know the correct number of your guests staying on your property,
- Too many guests can make the space cramped and uncomfortable.
- You might not have enough towels, bedding, or toiletries, which means essential supplies.
- More guests mean more use. This means damage to your furniture and appliances faster.
- Unexpected guests increase the risk of damage to your home.
- More people can cause more noise, disturbing neighbors.
- Unknown visitors may become a safety concern for your property.
- You may break occupancy limits and face fines or penalties.
- You may lose money if you don’t charge extra for additional guests.
- Too many people can make the stay uncomfortable for everyone.
- With extra guests, there will be more water, electricity, and heating usage. So, without proper charges, you need to bear lost income and higher expenses.
How Do Airbnb Hosts Track Guest Numbers?
Keeping track of your guest’s numbers is not tough, but you need to be careful. Sometimes guests can intentionally hide how many they are coming to avoid extra charges. But on your behalf, you need to set disclosure at the beginning. Ask them to sign the agreements, which mention all the rules and penalties clearly.
Here are some more tips you can follow,
Guest Disclosure During Booking
When guests book a stay, mention that the guest should specify how many people will be staying. You can check this information and compare it to your property’s capacity.
Or you can even send a message to confirm the number of guests before they come. For example, you may ask
“Could you confirm the number of people in your group?”
This helps avoid any unwanted visitors or last-minute changes. It is a simple step, but by doing so you can keep count of your Airbnb guest’s number.
Listing Settings
Airbnb has built-in tools to set strict guest limits in their listing. So, why not utilize it?
Say, for instance, a host can list their property as suitable for up to four people. In case a guest tries to book for more, they will receive a warning. Or be unable to complete the booking. These settings help prevent overcrowding. You can rest assured that your property won’t be misused.
If you want to charge additional fees for extra guests, you can do that too. Airbnb automatically calculates this based on the number entered during booking. With this system, guests become upfront about their group size.
Verification Through Airbnb Messaging
Hosts often use Airbnb’s messaging system to verify guest details which is actually a safe move. You will have records if the guest tries to frame you or makes any negative comments.
However, the messaging system ask guests to confirm the number of people. Or may want some information about the group. This helps catch any misunderstandings before check-in.
If a guest says they are traveling with family, you can ask for specifics like “How many adults and children will be staying?” This clear communication helps so no extra guests slip in unnoticed.
Occupancy Monitors
Some Airbnb hosts use occupancy monitors. By this, they can track how many people are inside their property. These devices measure factors like motion, temperature, or noise levels. You can detect unusual activity.
On the monitor, you can see more activity than expected. You can easily detect extra guests. But these monitors don’t track personal information. But help hosts stay aware of guest count without being intrusive.
Security Cameras and Smart Devices
The best if you can use outdoor security cameras to monitor who enters the property. This also keeps your property extra secure.
Try to place the cameras at entry points like the front door. So, you can check that only booked guests are staying.
For instance, if the booking is for two guests but the camera shows four people entering, you can immediately catch them. Smart doorbells or keyless entry systems also let hosts track when guests arrive or if extra visitors are showing up.
Neighbor or Co-Host Reports
In some cases, neighbors or co-hosts help track guest numbers. Neighbors may notify you if they notice too many people coming and going. Neighbors notice extra guests especially where there is more noise or disturbance.
Co-hosts, like those from STR Assistance’s Airbnb Co-Host service, can also keep an eye on the property. By this, you do not need to search for trusted co-hosts here and there. Our virtual co-hosts can manage check-ins and check-outs in person. So, it becomes easier to track how many guests are actually staying.
What Happens if Guests Exceed the Agreed Number?
If guests exceed the agreed number on a rental booking, it is a serious breach of the booking terms. Hosts generally have the right to charge additional fees for the extra guests. Because more people mean higher costs for utilities and supplies.
Apart from these, policy violations like this can raise safety concerns. This is because the property may not be equipped to handle more occupants. All these result in overcrowding and potential hazards.
In some cases, hosts may cancel the reservation if the issue is severe. For example, many cities and towns allow a limited number of people for every property. If it exceeds the host or property owner needs to give penalties. In extreme cases, the host may even be involved in legal action. All these actually depend on local regulations and platform policies.
Moreover, exceeding the guest limit can also negatively impact a host’s reputation on platforms STR platforms like Airbnb. It can result in poor reviews from guests. Here being a host you need to respond defensively to complaints. Respond to negative reviews in a professional manner.
Also, to tackle all these issues be aware of Airbnb’s policies on guest numbers. The policies are strict about protecting both hosts and guests.
Tips for Hosts to Manage Guest Numbers Effectively
Managing Airbnb or a short-term rental business means you will come across a lot of challenges especially if you are managing Airbnb remotely. But just get no worries, because we have come up with some tips for you on how you can manage guest numbers more effectively.
- List the maximum number of guests on your Airbnb listing.
- Confirm guest numbers before check-in to avoid surprises. You can meet guests at check-in or use keyless entry to verify the number of people
- Make rules for the guests to specify the number of people during booking.
- Set fees for additional guests to discourage overbooking.
- Review guest profiles. Try to check past guest reviews to spot any issues with exceeding guest limits.
- Mention the consequences of exceeding guest limits in your house rules.
- Politely ask for IDs to confirm the number of guests matches the booking.
- Review and update your guest limit policies based on your experiences.
- Message guests a day before check-in to confirm the number of people.
- Set guest capacity for amenities.
- Explain how sticking to guest numbers ensures a better experience for everyone.
Conclusion
Knowing how many guests are staying is really important for both Airbnb hosts and guests. It helps hosts prepare the property, manage costs, and follow the rules. For guests, being honest about the number of people can give a smoother, more comfortable stay.
Hosts have different ways to keep track of guest numbers. You can start by asking directly during booking to using smart devices and even help from neighbors or co-hosts. These steps help everyone avoid misunderstandings.
So, next time your guests book an Airbnb, make sure you get the right guest count.
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