What to Do When an Airbnb Guest Won’t Leave

It’s checkout day.
Your cleaners are on standby.
Your next guest arrives in two hours.
But the current guest? Still lounging on the couch like they own the place.

If you've hosted long enough, you’ll eventually run into a guest who refuses to leave—or just pretends not to hear the checkout time.
Here’s how to handle it like a pro (without escalating the situation).

1. Know the Law in Your Area
Some regions are very tenant-friendly—and a guest who overstays could legally become a tenant.

Here’s a basic rule of thumb:
✅ Stays under 30 days = guest
✅ Stays over 30 days = potential tenant rights

Once a guest crosses into "tenant" territory, removing them becomes a legal eviction process.
In Ontario, for example, you can’t just call the police and force someone out after 30 days. You need to go through the LTB (Landlord and Tenant Board).

Bottom line: Avoid month-to-month rentals unless you have a lease.

2. Prevent It Before It Starts
The best solution? Never let it happen in the first place.

✅ Use a smart lock with remote access—you can change codes after checkout time
✅ Send multiple reminders before checkout (the night before and the morning of)
✅ State clearly in your rules: “Unauthorized late checkouts may result in additional charges and loss of future booking privileges”
✅ Use cameras at the entrance (where legal) to monitor activity

Clear boundaries = fewer problems.

3. What to Do If They’re Still There
Here’s a calm protocol to follow:
📲 Message them via the Airbnb platform (this keeps things documented)
⏱ Give them a 30–60 minute grace period if needed
💬 Remind them you have another guest checking in (adds pressure)
⚠️ Let Airbnb know immediately if they’re refusing to leave
🚪 If necessary, you may need to knock and politely ask them to vacate

If they become aggressive or threatening:
🚨 Call local law enforcement, but explain it’s a private rental issue (not a break-in)

4. Charge for Late Checkouts
It’s not about the money—it’s about setting boundaries.

Platforms like Airbnb let you request payment for extra time or cleaning delays.
Send a professional message like:
“Hi [Guest], our cleaner was delayed by 1.5 hours due to late checkout. We’re requesting $75 to cover the cost. Thank you.”

Don’t hesitate. If you’re too nice, it becomes a pattern.

5. BookedHosts Handles This So You Don’t Have To
At BookedHosts, we deal with all types of guests—from dream clients to difficult ones.

Our team:
✅ Sends pre-checkout messages
✅ Manages locks and codes
✅ Has escalation protocols for overstays
✅ Handles communication and reporting to Airbnb
✅ Works with enforcement teams if needed

So you never have to deal with awkward conversations—or worse, legal stress.

📩 Email info@bookedhosts.com or scroll down to apply.
Let us protect your time, your property, and your peace of mind.