Airbnb Extra Guest Fees: A Host’s Complete Guide

What to Do When Airbnb Guests Bring Extra People

One of the fastest ways an Airbnb stay can go sideways?

Extra guests.

Unregistered guests don’t just create more mess, they increase wear and tear, raise liability risk, and can even put your Airbnb account at risk if something goes wrong.

At BNB Guardians, we teach hosts that controlling guest count is a core Airbnb management system, not a confrontation tactic. When done correctly, you protect your property and your reviews without constant drama.

This guide walks you through:

• What counts as an extra guest

• How to prevent it before it happens

• How to charge for extra guests correctly

• What to do when a guest breaks your rules

What Counts as an Unregistered Airbnb Guest?

An unregistered guest is any person who enters your property but was not included in the booking’s guest count.

That includes:

• Overnight guests

• “Friends just stopping by”

• Visitors who stay for dinner, parties, or hangouts

From a liability standpoint, anyone on your property matters. If they aren’t registered, you may not be protected if there’s damage, injury, or a complaint.

This is why Airbnb strategy starts with clear guest limits and enforcement.

Why Extra Guests Are a Big Deal for Hosts

Unregistered guests can:

• Accelerate property damage

• Increase cleaning costs

• Violate insurance terms

• Trigger neighbor complaints

• Put Superhost status at risk

• Void parts of platform protection

In short: extra guests = extra risk.

How to Prevent Extra Guests Before They Happen

1. Set Clear Guest Rules (and Repeat Them)

Your house rules should clearly state:

• Maximum number of guests

• Whether visitors are allowed

• That all guests must be registered

This is foundational Airbnb guest communication. Guests must agree to your rules before booking, so enforcement later is straightforward.

2. Use Airbnb Extra Guest Charges Strategically

Charging a per-guest fee beyond a certain number:

• Encourages honesty during booking

• Compensates for additional wear

• Creates a financial deterrent

This is not about punishment, it’s pricing fairly for usage, which is a core Airbnb pricing principle.

3. Require a Refundable Security Deposit: Airbnb Extra Guest Fees

A refundable deposit:

• Signals professionalism

• Discourages rule-breaking

• Gives leverage if guests push boundaries

Many hosts skip this step, but in our Airbnb coaching programs, we see it dramatically reduce rule violations.

4. Use Smart Tech (Legally and Transparently)

Smart tech helps you monitor behavior—not spy.

Noise Monitors

• Alert you to large gatherings

• Help prevent parties (Airbnb’s global party ban still applies)

• Do not record conversations

Exterior Security Cameras

• Verify number of arrivals

• Provide evidence if rules are broken

• Must be disclosed and never placed indoors

Smart Locks

• Track entry activity

• Rotate access codes automatically

• Reduce unauthorized access

When paired with Guesty, these tools become part of a clean, automated Airbnb management system.

What to Do If Guests Bring Extra People Anyway

Even with systems in place, it can still happen. Here’s how to handle it professionally.

Option 1: Submit a Change Request

If your listing allows additional guests:

• Send a change request through the platform

• Adjust the nightly rate accordingly

• Keep communication calm and factual

This works best when your property is not already at max capacity.

Option 2: File a Resolution Request

If the guest refuses to comply:

• Submit a resolution request through the platform

• Include evidence (camera timestamps, noise alerts, messages)

• Escalate if needed

Platforms typically give guests a response window before stepping in.

Option 3: Report the Guest

If guests knowingly violate house rules:

• Report the issue to the platform

• Provide documentation

• Protect your account and future bookings

This step is about protecting your business, not winning an argument.

BNB Guardians Takeaway

Extra guests are not just an inconvenience, they’re a business risk.

At BNB Guardians, we teach hosts to:

• Set boundaries upfront

• Use pricing and systems (not emotions)

• Automate guest communication through Guesty

• Enforce rules calmly and professionally

👉 Need help with Airbnb operations or guest control systems?

Join our Airbnb Super Host Academy on Skool or book a call with the BNB Guardians team for hands-on Airbnb coaching.