Reddit – Dive into anything

This is a hypothetical for something I’m writing, but I like to do my research in case there’s actual information I can use.

What is the front desk procedure if someone leaves a hotel in the wee hours of the morning and doesn’t properly check out? Do you record check out time as whatever time you realise the patron is gone? Or is there a set time that you record if there is no actual checkout time? Do patrons who didn’t properly check out get recorded as checking out at the required time? Are there problems with/consequences for not checking patrons out? Like, would employees get in trouble? What I’m working on is UK-based and takes place in the 80s/90s, but any info is appreciated.