When a guest asks to hold a party in your shortlet, you have three choices: say no, allow small gatherings only, or say yes with firm rules. Whatever you choose, write it in your listing before anyone books, set a guest limit, and follow your estate's rules.
This guide helps Nigerian hosts decide, and gives you wording you can use. It covers why guests ask, how to say no, how to say yes safely, and what to do if a party happens anyway.
Why guests ask
Guests ask for good reasons. People want a private space for a birthday, a bridal shower, a naming ceremony, a graduation or a December get-together. Google even suggests searches such as “shortlet for party” and “shortlet apartment for party in Lagos”.
For the guest, a shortlet feels private and cheaper than an event hall. For you, a party can mean noise, damage, angry neighbours and a very long clean.
Signs a booking may be a party, even when nobody says so:
- a large group booking one Friday or Saturday night;
- early questions about the sound system, the compound or parking for many cars;
- a guest asking how many “visitors” are allowed before asking anything else;
- a booking that falls on a birthday or a big holiday weekend.
None of these proves anything. They are a reason to ask, politely, what the stay is for.
Saying no clearly
No is a fair answer. It is your home, and some estates do not allow parties at all. The trick is to say it early and clearly, so nobody books by mistake.
- Put “No parties or events” in your listing description, near the top.
- Repeat it in your house rules.
- Say how many people may stay, and that children count.
- Give visiting hours, and say visitors may not stay the night.
When a guest asks anyway, reply quickly and kindly. For example:
“Thank you for asking. We do not allow parties or events at this home, because of our estate's rules and our neighbours. You are very welcome to stay with up to [number] guests.”
Keep it short and friendly. You do not need to argue or explain more.
On Cabans, if “Instant book” is off, you accept or decline each paid request. If a request looks like a party you do not allow, ask the guest first, then press “Decline” if needed. The guest is refunded for the stay and the nights open up again. With “Instant book” on, paid bookings are confirmed straight away, so your rules must be clear before guests book. How to set your booking rules and instant book explains both, and instant book or request to book helps you choose.
Saying yes with rules
Some hosts welcome small gatherings. If you do, agree the rules in writing before you say yes. Cover these points:
- A number. The most people in the home at any time, guests and visitors together.
- An end time. When music stops and visitors leave.
- Sound. No loud speakers outside, and doors and windows closed after dark.
- Where people may go. The living room and balcony, not the bedrooms.
- Smoking and candles. Outside only, and never near curtains.
- Parking. How many cars, and where they may park.
- Cleaning. A cleaning fee, or an extra clean the guest pays for.
- Furniture. Move fragile and valuable things away before the stay.
- One person in charge. The guest who booked stays at the home for the whole event.
A short written agreement makes this clear. What to include in a shortlet agreement has a template.
If you charge more for gatherings, say so before the guest books, never after. Surprise charges cause arguments.
The morning after
Go in soon after the guests leave, while details are fresh. Walk through every room and the compound, and photograph what you find. Check with your closest neighbour that the night went well. If all is fine, thank the guest and settle the deposit quickly. Good guests who followed your rules are worth welcoming back.
On Cabans, the price does not change with the number of guests, and there is no extra-guest fee. What you set is your nightly price, a cleaning fee and a caution deposit. If your home is party-friendly, price it for that on every night.
Writing your party rule into your listing
Guests may only skim a listing, so put your party rule near the top, in plain words. Pick the line that matches your choice and change the parts in [square brackets]:
- No parties:“This is a quiet home in a residential estate. No parties, events or loud music. Up to [number] guests, children included.”
- Small gatherings only:“Small gatherings of up to [number] people are welcome with our agreement before you book. Music off by [time]. No events with a DJ or hired sound.”
- Events by agreement:“Planning an event? Message us before booking with the date, the number of people and your plan. We will tell you what is allowed before you pay.”
Whichever you choose, say the same thing in your listing, your house rules and your messages. Mixed messages invite arguments.
Questions to ask a guest who wants a gathering
If you allow some gatherings, ask these questions before you say yes:
- What is the occasion, and what date and time?
- How many people will come, and how many will stay the night?
- Will there be music, a DJ or hired speakers?
- Will there be caterers or other vendors coming in?
- How many cars, and where will they park?
- Who is the person in charge, and will they be there throughout?
The answers tell you whether it is a quiet birthday dinner or a full event. Trust your judgement. If the answers keep changing, it is fine to say no.
Guest limits and the deposit
A guest limit is your first protection. A caution deposit is your second.
- Set a limit that fits. Match it to your beds, your space and your estate's rules.
- Count visitors too. Write your visitor rules into your house rules, not just the number who sleep over.
- Size the deposit to the risk. A home that allows gatherings may ask for a bigger caution deposit. See how much caution fee to charge.
- Take photos. Before the stay and after it, from the same angles. They are your proof.
On Cabans, set “Maximum guests (optional)” in your booking rules. Guests cannot book for more people than you allow. It counts people staying, so write your visitor rules in “House rules” too. How to add your house rules shows where.
Your “Caution deposit (₦, fixed amount)” is set on the listing, and changes wait for approval by the Cabans team. If there is damage, raise a dispute after check-out with your photos. Nothing is kept until the Cabans team decides. See how caution deposit protection works.
Neighbours and estate rules
Your estate may have rules on events, noise, visitors and parking. Read yours, or ask the estate office. Do not guess: breaking estate rules can put your hosting at risk.
- Tell estate security about any gathering you allow, if the estate permits it.
- Warn your close neighbours, and give them your number.
- Keep your phone on during the event, and be ready to go over.
- Keep a list of the guest's expected visitors for the gate.
A good relationship with your neighbours is worth more than any single booking. One bad night can undo a year of goodwill.
Busy dates to plan for
Party requests can come in around busy times, such as December and New Year, Easter, Sallah, long weekends, Valentine's Day and graduation season. Decide your answer before those dates arrive, not when the first message comes in.
- Check that your listing and house rules say clearly what you allow.
- Tell your caretaker and estate security which weekends are booked.
- Be extra careful with one-night weekend bookings for large groups.
- Keep your phone on and your cleaner booked for the morning after.
If a party happens without permission
Sometimes a guest ignores the rules. Stay calm and act in order:
- Send a polite written reminder of the rules and the end time.
- If it carries on, call estate security. Do not walk into a crowd alone.
- If anyone is in danger, call the police, or 112 for emergencies.
- After the stay, photograph everything and note any damage.
- Claim real costs from the caution deposit, with your evidence.
Then look at what let it happen. Was the rule clear in the listing? Was the guest limit set? Fix that before the next booking. Shortlet security tips covers the rest.
Hosting a party-friendly home? Guests planning an event read what to check before booking a shortlet for a party. Make sure your listing answers those questions. If there was damage, what hosts can do about damage explains the next steps.
Ready to host on your own terms? Take bookings online with your rules, guest limit and deposit set, or list your shortlet first.
See how other hosts describe their homes and rules: browse shortlets in Lekki, Ikeja or the short let pages for your area.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ban parties in my shortlet?
Yes. It is your home. Write “No parties or events” near the top of your listing and again in your house rules, so guests see it before they book.
How do I say no to a party request politely?
Thank the guest, say that parties are not allowed, and give the reason in one line, such as your estate’s rules or your neighbours. Then say what is allowed, such as the number of guests who may stay.
Should I charge more if I allow gatherings?
Hosts who allow gatherings can set a higher nightly price for the home, add a cleaning fee and ask for a bigger caution deposit. Say so clearly before the guest books, never after.
How many people should I allow at a gathering?
Match the number to your space, your parking and your estate’s rules. Count day visitors as well as guests who stay the night, and write the number in your house rules.
What if guests throw a party without asking?
Remind them in writing, then call estate security if it does not stop. If anyone is in danger, call the police. Photograph any damage afterwards for your caution deposit claim.
Does a caution deposit cover party damage?
It covers real damage you can show, up to the deposit amount. Take photos before and after every stay so you have proof.
Can I decline a booking that looks like a party?
Yes, if “Instant book” is off. You accept or decline each paid request on Cabans. When you decline, the guest is refunded for the stay and the nights open up again.
Related guides
House rules template · How much caution fee to charge · Shortlet agreement · Shortlet security · Shortlet duplex for groups · Instant book or request to book
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