Collect the entire amount up front or just a security deposit?

[Eric435]

Can I allow renters to book my property and only pay the security deposit up front, or do I have to collect the entire amount up front? If yes, can someone tell me where to go to do this? Thanks!

[Marzena4]

No, you can't, @Eric435. Airbnb collects payments upon booking. Security deposis are something else:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/140/how-does-airbnb-handle-security-deposits

[David126]

Apart from anything else Guests do not pay a Security Deposit.

[Ben205]

@David126

Err, I think the link above shows they can! Is says

'Hosts can add a security deposit to their listing, as long as they add it before a reservation is booked.'

@Eric435

Meant to add, you don't collect any money, Airbnb does all that. I'm interested to know why you wouldn't want them to take the full amount for the booking?

[Steve143]

Hello @Ben205,

Yes hosts can add a security deposit to their listing but Airbnb doesn't collect it from the guest in the way @Eric435 may think.

The security deposit isn't ever collected by Airbnb in the way a rental agency might do.

Only if a host, who has a security deposit specified, makes a claim, and that claim is upheld by Airbnb, does Airbnb try to obtain the money from the guest.

How does Airbnb handle security deposits?

Steve.

[David126]

@Ben205

You can certainly set a Security Deposit but it is not collected on booking and there are numerous posts on here about trying to collect in arrears.