Dealing With The Unexpected Extra People

We have had a few reservations in the last months that have shown up with children. Some that book for 2 and show up with a 3rd. And some that book for 3 and show up with a little one. The house isn't really soundproof or set up for children, but legally we can't really block them. We do say we take children over a certain age and discourage them.
But I was wondering what extra steps others might have taken to avoid this problem. I send out a confirmation to everyone, in the language of registration for our own, in two languages for those from the OTAs. I've been thinking of adding another language or two to the OTA forms, maybe Mandarin Chinese and Spanish? Anyone tried that? I'm wondering if I should actually include it, or maybe I should send just a single line in other languages and have a link to a web page on my website with information in other languages. Like set up a T&C page in several other languages and have them on my website and just a link to each language's T&C in the email.
The other idea is that we think we may change all the OTAs to maximum occupancy of 2. We have still had at least 2 reservations where they reserved for 2 and shown up as 3, but it might discourage it more. And maybe a note on the OTA confirmation saying that no one, children or adult beyond the stated occupancy will be allowed. Or maybe anyone over the stated occupancy will be charged $500 per night. Any ideas?

You may legally have to allow children, but you can charge whatever you want for them.
$500 may be a bit obvious, but if you charge $75 per additional person it will discourage it. And hey, if they show up, you made enough to overcome the inconvenience, right?

Me I like your idea of a large upcharge for extra people as everyone has a reason why "they" should be the exception to every policy, the upcharge is simple to understand, of course nothing seems to stop folk from arguing that you should do it their way.

I think changing your max. Occupancy to 2 is a good idea. We have 4 rooms . 3 have one queen bed and only hold 2. Our suite does have a sofa bed also and can sleep 4. We do not have cots or blow up beds and won't put more than 2 in the queen rooms. We also charge 100$ extra for each extra guest in the suite. It has worked very wll, knock on wood, so far. We also say no one under 14. For folks with toddlers e just say no our house has open stairs and is not suited for loud children. Occasionally we have broken the rule and take a well behaved 12 or 13 year old or a non walking baby. Usually when we ask if their baby sleeps through the night we never hear from them again

We charge for more than 2 people - babies included - $25 each extra.
Then, I just assume the guests are uncomfortable with 3 in a bed and what do I care? They "literally" made their bed and can lie in it.

We have to take children. But not over the maximum guest occupancy per room. One bed? Two guests. Age does not count. If guests grouse about not taking children I say the extra person is the other adult. That person needs their own room.

Our confirmation states maximum room occupancy. Our OTA listing states maximum two guests. In one language. The only one I speak.

I have a rental on Air. I state first line in two places Max occupancy 2. A few have asked about bringing a 'pack and play'. I tell them no place to put it.

Morticia said:

We have to take children. But not over the maximum guest occupancy per room. One bed? Two guests. Age does not count. If guests grouse about not taking children I say the extra person is the other adult. That person needs their own room..

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I have friends who can translate it to Spanish (Latin and European) for you.

We changed our OTA listings to a max of 2 and since doing so have not (knock on wood) had a 3rd wheel.
On our website we have added additional wording. You may consider something like: Children, including infants, will be counted in the number in the room.
If all have been foreign speaking then I would say to work on translation.
For some placing a price for the 3rd person is another way of saying that is is possible to have a 3rd person. So if you do plan to go in that direction, I would make it a ridiculous figure that no one would pay.