I have only once charged for a broken item which was a very expensive front door lock (+ locksmith's labour) which the guest broke after ignoring instructions. The guest didn't want to pay but I got the money quickly and easily but I suspect Airbnb paid out of their own coffers rather than take it from the guest, whose 'deposit' wouldn't even have covered the full cost.
I have never filed for any small damages. If a guest tells me they broke something and offers to pay, I usually let it slide. A couple of times I have let them pay because they insisted on it.
What irks me much more is the guests who don't tell me and actually deny knowledge or try to blame it on other guests. This is disrespectful and I would like to know how better to tackle it. What I have found with these types of guests is that they can become extremely hostile if you don't drop the matter as soon as they deny it. Is it worth pursuing via a resolution claim? Unfortunately, the guests who deny it/don't offer to pay seem to be the majority.
There are so many small (and some less small) breakages and damages to contend with and I am beginning to think that continually letting it slide is a bad idea because it goes beyond normal wear and tear, they add up both in terms of money and time, plus make my listing less deserving of 5 stars for subsequent guests.
So if a guest breaks fixtures and fittings, do you claim for it? What about damage to walls and paintwork? What about minor damage to furniture, but expensive furniture, due to carelessness? What about guests breaking decorative items because they come home drunk and can't walk straight, but then say they don't remember or that it wasn't them?
Or, do I just increase my rates and expect the careful/respectful guests to share the costs of the less respectful ones?