Cancellation help

[Charles163]

Hi,

So I'm fairly new to Air Bnb, so far it's been a good experience and guests have all left great reviews. A guest has booked to stay for a week in July when the room is not available, it was my mistake as I hadn't updated the calendar, I tried messaging the guest to explain and apologise, I also asked if they could cancel the booking their end. The guest agreed and said she'd put in a 'request to cancel', what does this mean? I thought if you cancelled that was it?

I followed up explaining the booking was still active and then screenshot tee the Airbnb page about how to cancel. The guest hasn't responded and I'm not sure what to do. I haven't cancelled anyone before, for a first time cancellation are you still penalised?

Charlie

[Hilary-And-Ed0]

Yes, unfortunately you will be penalized if you cancel.  The guest can cancel rather than put in a request.  However, they do not have to (it would be more as a favor to you), so you might have to do it.  So you are aware, the penalties include blocking those dates for further bookings (not a problem in this case), ineligibility for superhost status for a year, and potentially a monetary penalty.

If is the responsibility of the host to keep the calendar up to date.  I agree that it is tricky in the beginning to figure out all the details.  my recommendation for the future is to check your listing, and particularly the calendar regularly.