Collecting deposits and surcharges

[Pavel7]

Hi,

I am a 3yr host and now am looking for booking vacation through ABB. I was surprised by the fact that many hosts 1) collect deposit in cash at check-in and 2) charge for consumed electricity, gas, water etc., which they deduct from the deposit. Moreover, some hosts (according to their reviews) don't return the deposit in cash but instead wire it a few days later (after you leave).

I'm pretty sure this violates ABB policies (at least it says so on https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/458/can-a-security-deposit-be-collected-outside-of-the-airbnb-we... ) but than again I see it very often, at least in Majorca. So my questions are:

- Is this a violation or not?

- What if a host requests a cash deposit at check-in, I refuse paying it and the host doesn't let me in?

Personally, I would not consider booking a place that requests cash deposit, would never pay one and wouldn't want one as a host. Then again, I feel somewhat "betrayed" or how to call it, seeing this type of listing as I consider it something like cheating.

Pavel

[David126]

Certainly against AirBnB rules but I can see why some Hosts would do it as there is no effective Security Deposit through the AirBnB system. 

I believe it is quite common with other booking systems to have a deposit like this and could be that these Hosts use such other systems so have listed to make AirBNB operate in a similar way.

From what I have seen charging for utilities is not normal in some countries, but very common in others. Nothing wrong with that.

Look for a listing that meets your needs, ifgnore the ones that do not.

[Ange2]

@Pavel7   

A 'deposit' is not necessarily a 'security deposit' and in this case it seems to be a 'utility deposit'.

Not that unusual on islands like Majorca where water, gas, electricity can be extremely expensive. 

You could ask the host for an explanation or search some posts here, there are some where hosts have been landed with a utility bill that is more than the guest paid to stay. The reimbursement to the guest probably occurs after the guest has left because the bill was not available at the time to deduct the cost of utilities they used from the deposit.

A 'security deposit' is totally different it is held in trust to cover damages, if applicable, and that is what is a no-no for Airbnb.

You could ask the host for their reasons. I have stayed at places where the utilities are shut off for the day once the budgeted consumption level  that is included in the nightly price has been reached.  I am guessing these hosts would prefer not to do that.

[Pavel7]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input.

In the listings, it usually says security deposit, not utility deposit. I can see how utilities of sorts can be a problem (although they usually charge about 20% premium, but whatever), but I as a guest would expect this to be reflected in the nightly price for some consumption while the rest could be claimed through the ABB resolution center. I personally have always had a good experience with it and have been using it for mutually agreed charges. If the guest agrees (explicitily in the communication or the house rules before check-in) to pay for utilities based on consumption, there's nothing easier than taking a before-after set of photos of the meter, submit a request for payment through RC upon check-out and send get ABB involved with the photos if the guest disputes it.

Ok, the above is more of a rant, so back to the biggest question:

If I book a place (where it doesn't say there'll be cash deposit or utility consumption) but then the host requests it, what should I do, being with my luggage and family on a remote island? (I would most likely pay the deposit, reflect this behavior in the review and claim the consumption cost in the RC after check-out, pointing out it was not part of the listing. I'm 95% sure it would be a valid claim - but I'd like someone to confirm that or provide other guidance...)

P.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Pavel7

If you are asked to pay something that is not clearly outlined in the listing, they are violating the airbnb rules and you can refuse to pay up.  You would have to contact airbnb and explain though and a less than positive review at the end of the stay would be in order.

You should also look at amenities and make sure that "basics" are included - if they are not, you may have to accept paying extra for linen and towels.  

What you outline is a normal set-up for holiday rentals by the week, but not well adapted to the airbnb platform.  Note that these rentals are likely to be listed on other platforms in addidion to airbnb.

[Pavel7]

I understand the part about them violating the rules. However, if you are with your family and packed bags in front of your vacation place with no way of getting back, what do you do? Call ABB and spend half'day (or night, provided the check-in is later) having them look for a new place, or do you just pay up and sort it out afterwards?

P.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Pavel7

You must communicate with the host before you go to make sure there are no hidden surprises.  When on the doorstep, it is on the late side, but if you can prove the surcharges are not in the description/house rules, you can refuse to pay up.  Bring your printed itinerary along.  Let the host sort the issues with airbnb.  

Choosing an experienced host perhaps - they are more likely to know the rules, but no guarantee !

My hunch is that you are looking at properties managed by letting agencies.  

[Pavel7]

@Marit-Anne0

I've already ruled the ones who advertised out and I obviously look at host's reviews, number of properties (anyone who has more than 2 or 3 is out), superhost status and other things. But seeing how common it is I worry that I might be faced with this situation upon check-in...

[Marit-Anne0]

@Pavel

Would you spot that this one is run by a management company ? I did not.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14795201

[Pavel7]

@Marit-Anne0

The only hint is "central key reception" - but that's exactly my point, that even though the listing might seem fine and you can be as careful and catious as you want, you might end up in a sticky situation which might be hard to resolve in a place where you don't even have internet access (that's common on such islands) so can't email or chat with airbnb and are pretty much on your own...

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

Like @David126 said: 

Certainly against AirBnB rules but I can see why some Hosts would do it as there is no effective Security Deposit through the AirBnB system. 

And it scares me 😞

[Pavel7]

@Branka-and-Silvia0

 What's wrong with the resolution center? I've found it reasonably balanced between the guest and the host so far. Granted, I only had handful of problems that weren't difficult to solve, but I find some of the stories here on the boards hard to believe and frankly a bit fishy, from the host's perspective. I mean, if you're renting at 30EUR/night in high season, it's unreasonable to expect ABB to approve a 500EUR charge for cleaning a sofa, like I've seen on the boards. Simply because if you're renting a "budget" place, you're probably not expected to have a 1,000EUR sofa in it. And if you do, it definitely *is* unreasonable to expect your guest take care of it, because it's a budget traveller.

If your place is adequate to your rent and comparable with other listings in the area (in this example, if all other listings around you have a 1,000eur sofa in a 30eur/night apartments, it's more likely for this furniture to be considered a "local standard"), you shouldn't have any problems claiming fair and rightful charges. Plus it's a risk of doing the business - your things will depreciate quicker than when you live there yourself. Just think about how you treat a rental car vs. your own.

The rules in general have gotten a bit more balanced lately - such as you can evict a guest for breaking the house rules or that the period for making a claim is now 14 days, not 2 as it used to be, so with that in mind I really don't see a problem...

[David126]

@Pavel7

Some of your comments about how you think AirBnB works are wrong, but not the place to go into that here.

If somebody surprises Guests with extra charges seems likely that those Guest would mention that in the reviews.

If you are paying top dollar then more likely the utilities are included, the variations between Guests is less of an issue.

[Pavel7]

@David126

If you have the time, please do - I'll be gladly corrected (and I really don't mean it in any sarcastic or ironic way). I'm speaking based on my own experience as a host, but maybe I was just lucky... 🙂

[David126]

In my mind AirBnb is not suited for a Host not present situation, pretty much anybody in this situation requires a deposit they can control. AirBnB does not offer this as many many Hosts have found out to their cost. the Host Guarantee is marketed as an alternative but it is not. Lots of holes in the published conditions and reality seems to be even worse.

This is educative:

http://observer.com/2017/03/airbnb-nda-damage-in-london-after-drug-party/