Adding a Security Deposit: A Community Help Guide [UPDATE]

[Dave-and-Deb0]

***NOTE: This Help Guide has been created using the new layout so if you have a different layout, please visit https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosts/Adding-a-Cleaning-Fee-A-Community-Help-Guide/m-p/53351#M24...

Please note, if you do not have the option to add a security, you will need to publish your listing first and then the option will be available.  I recommend to publish your listing and then quickly unlist it so that you get the full editing options for your listing.

I firmly believe that ALL hosts should have a security deposit for their listing.  There are many times where a host posts on the Community Center that a guest caused damage, broke something in their listing, or any other reason a host may need to make a claim.  

It is also important to understand that even if you charge a security deposit on your listing, the security deposit is not charged at the time of booking.  Airbnb does not put a hold or an authorization on the guest's payment method and this is only charged if the host makes a claim within the guidelines set out.  

Here is an article indicating this: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/140 

Setting a Security Deposit

Step 1: Click on "Host" and then "Manage Listings" and then choose the listing you wish to add the cleaning fee to.

Step 2: From the choices, choose "Pricing" and then go to the "Extra Charges" section and choose Edit.

Step 3: Go to the "Security Deposit" section and then enter the security deposit amount followed by selecting "Save"

[Leigh40]

Hi. I have a booking that took without cleaning fee or a deposit. can i edit the booking or do i have to cancle? i know how to request money but i didnt think the deposit money should be requested that way. Am i wrong? 

thank you very much. it is my first booking...not off to the best start. 

Leigh-Ann

[Joy113]

How much security deposit do long Time hosts recommend? We rent our whole house - 4 bedroom, nicely appointed in a gated community. Newly painted and hardwood floors refinished. I charge a $100 cleaning fee which barely covers the house cleaning and I do alllll the laundry of the linens myself which is a ton of work. Nightly fee is $185 which is high for our area according to Airbnb but is less than the average hotel room in our area. Help!

[David1814]

Joy,

Our situations sound similar so thank you for asking this question. I thought AirBNB provided a large insurance policy to cover damages, then I noticed other listings reflecting the security deposit. I had not even noticed this option until I saw it listed by others. I'm egerly following this thread and hope you get good information from other experienced hosts.  I'm noticing similar listings in my area with a $250 deposit.  I don't want to put-off potential guests, but on the other hand $250 would not cover much in a nicely furnished unit such as yours and mine.  David

[Rob-and-Allison0]

How’s it been going for you there? I am new to AirBnB and setting prices for security deposits and such is a concern 

[Kyle112]

I have been wondering the same - how much security deposit is recommended.  Perhaps it should vary in accordance with the average nightly rate, condition of the property, and the potential for damage.  Our listing is a very small place & I have considered having a small ($50?) security deposit for minor items.

[Jp8]

I've been hosting for two years now, had the security deposit the whole time, but never had any damage worth filing a claim. Also, with minor damage it's often very difficult to tell if it occurred while the last guest was there, or was it already there before.

Just happened on a blog by a chap who recommends doing without the security deposit, in order to encourage bookings (here: https://www.abandonedcubicle.com/wealth-by-airbnb/)

He read a book called  Get Paid for Your Pad  , where he learned that "Apparently, deposits can be a turn-off for guests who might fear nitpicky things being charged back to them."

It seems scary to go without the deposit. But when you think about it, it's kind of like self-insurance of a deductible. If some guest really wanted to tear up the place they could do a lot more damage than any $250 deposit, so it's no protection against catastrophic risks. And just scaring off one single guest could cost you $250. 

On the other hand, the deposit might make guests more careful about taking care of the place. 

What do other hosts think about this?

Are many hosts choosing to do without the deposit?

[Michael6863]

As the chap who wrote the blog article at www.abandonedcubicle.com, I can fully attest that it works! Since starting up my condo rental in 2018, there've been no major damages. 

When minor damages occur, it's things like white towels used for makeup removal (even though we provide wipes). We had a shoddy coffee table that had a leg broken off (a kid sat on it), and a bar stool with a broken lift mechanism. In each case, will I ask for $100 from a guest who paid me $2,000 to stay that week? No.

Consider that sometimes there are minor costs to doing business and so long as guests report damages that are minor, I'll have them back. If they don't report (even though I request they report any damages in booking info) then I won't allow them back as part of the mutual review process.

Cheers!

Cubert

[Cathy418]

I thought the deposit would turn people off but then read that it's not held or charged unless a claim is made. But honestly, do you really want to open your home to someone who's not willing to comply with a potential fee for damaging your things?

[Minls0]

Your post is great and engaging, the content is very practical, and gets people's attention. Thank you for sharing. shell shockers

[Lindsay121]

The security deposit is an Airbnb smoke and mirrors on the hosts.  It's not available to hosts, as far as we can tell.  We had some tweeker come and damage some items, and not follow our house rules about dogs.  We clearly state in the booking description, in our "questions" and in our Welcome Letter that not following the house rules about dogs (in this case the person let them poop all over the place and used our white, new bath towels to mop it up) would result in $100 security deposit forfeiture.

Ha!  Hours and hours spent with Airbnb, including documentation of pictures, etc., and they responded they would do this as a "one time courtesy." 

If you have anything go wrong, you have to go through the "resolution center" doing the above, and then, they might charge the guest.

We have had a terrible taste in our mouths after our experience trying to collect a "security deposit" which isn't really there in the first place.

[Teri30]

Is it possible for us to request a personal check that will be returned after their stay if there is no damage?

[Munira2]

Hi...I hv been doing this for the past few years but now I have a new guest that refuses to pay a deposit...

[Michelle821]

That's what I would like to know too.  I don't trust the AIRBNB system to collect for damages or for people breaking the rules with amount of guests etc...

[Michelle821]

Same, AIRBNB did not help with damage to my house incurred by a poor puppy that this woman's kids must have locked in the bathroom and he scratched the door really bad.  It cost me over $300 to have that and two other doors I found scratched from their dog, repaired and AIRBNB assured me they would take care of it when I went to resolution center.  Then they didn't collect money from her and they closed the case!!!  It was unbelievable.