Airbnb Host Accuses of Damages I did not commit

[Drew125]

Host refused to meet me at check-in. Host again refused to meet me at check out.  I wanted to meet on both occasions to avoid these kind of situations. Accused me of a damage I did not do after 5 days. I have a video of the property plus conversations with the host, but still I am being accused and charged. Can someone help me? I really want to fix and resolve the issue since it is very bothering. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Drew125 

just to make it clear....  you noticed the damage at check-in, you contacted host about it through Airbnb messages and you made a video of it when you arrived?

Then you checked out and after 5 days your host filed a damage claim and Airbnb charged you for this damage?

Did anyone from Airbnb contact you about it?

[Drew125]

I did not notice the damage when I checked in because the damage was covered with a fridge magnet. When I left the unit, I recorded a video of the entire place since host is not present. I wanted to video it since I left the place better than it was. 

After 5 days of checking out, I was accused for the damage under the fridge magnet. It is a hole at a door. They are charging me 1000 bucks for the damage. 

Airbnb contacted me and did not bother my recorded video. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

so, actually, you didn't notice the damage at all? Maybe host didn't notice it before your arrival either and discovered it after you already left so he thought you made it.

1000 $? omg... they already took the money from your account?

[Drew125]

actually, I thought of that too. I am trying to understand where the host is coming from if I was at their shoe. The figurine fridge magnet was stuck to the door so hard that you cannot move it at all. It looks like a design.

It started at 600, then I left a bad review because I was accused of something I did not do especially host did not show up at check out. Now host raised it to 1000++, probably because of the bad review. 

I am not charged yet, Airbnb is requiring me to settle in 48 hours.

[Lisa723]

@Drew125 Have you declined the request for money? If not you should. Then Airbnb will decide and if what we usually see here is accurately representative they will probably side with you. And even if they do not, the host must provide professional estimates or receipts. They can’t just pull an amount out of their hat.

[Drew125]

thank you for the advise. I think airbnb always side with the host, they did not even bother looking at my video. I did decline the request, so what happens next? 

I am still bothered why the process seems not right.

[Lisa723]

@Drew125 for what it's worth, hosts' perspective is that Airbnb always sides with guests. Please let us know what happens.

[Emiel1]

@Drew125 

$ 1000,- is a rediculous amount for a hole in a fridge door anyway. Is the fridge made of gold ?

Do as  @Lisa723 says and Airbnb will decide. The host need to sent proof of the claim. The trick with the magnet is rather stupid, maybe it is tried more often to "earn" some money.

[Drew125]

Apologies, it is not a hole in a fridge door, its like a 4 inch hole at the back of bathroom door. Then it was sort of covered with a fridge magnet so you will not notice the damage. So the damage is the plywood door that is priced at 1000 bucks.

I reached out to airbnb as well, but at this point, they are not helpful. I feel helpless.