First Booking Question

[Jillian16]

I just received my first booking.  I did not allow instant book and I have a confirmation number regarding the reservation as I "accepted" the renter.  How do I collect her money?  Do I do a "send request for money" or does she pay on her end per my instructions. I have not been successful in finding an answer. I don't want to appear ignorant to my guest, but also am wondering if there is something I should be doing on my end to collect her rent/deposit.  I am assuming the guest needs to pay something up front to book/confirm the reservation. Just wondering how you go about getting this amount if you don't use instant book. 

I also heard on these forums that airbnb isn't good about damage claims. I currently have a deposit listed as $1500.  Should I keep that or just use an outside rental insurance company for damage claims?  Or charge for the insurance and lower my deposit should a guest cancel?  Or is cancellation forfeits come from payments received, not a deposit.  

[Brian0]

Congrats on your first booking! I've been hosting for a year and have had really good experiences.

Airbnb collects the money from the guest for you at the time of booking. You will automatically receive payment the day after they check in. All you have to do is set up your "Payout preferences" in the app or site. E.g., for me, I set up a bank account. Money is automatically deposited into my account the day after any guest arrives.

Personally I don't use an outside rental insurance company and I've never needed to file a damage claim. The first thing I would do, if I had to, is to go Airbnb's Resolution Center where you can ask the guest to pay for the damage. It gives you and the guest the ability to negotiate an agreed payment for damage.

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

@Jillian16  You've got lots of very basic questions that can be answered by taking some time to explore the Help Center

If you have a confirmed reservation, that means the guest has already paid.  Airbnb will not confirm a reservation without guest payment.  You (the host) will be paid 24 hours after check-in.  The guest is charged the ENTIRE cost of the reservation up front, much like purchasing an airline ticket.

Some important things to learn about:

How Does Airbnb Handle Security Deposits?

I’m a host. What penalties apply if I need to cancel a reservation?

What is the Airbnb cancellation policy?

[Joshua63]

Setup your payout methods.

Airbnb does a good job with claims, Get an umbrealla policy just in case, make sure it's for a commerial purpose.

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Update your calender 3 times a day.  So it shows up on the top of Airbnb's search

I respond to the first inquiry within 10 minutes.

Verify guests phone number, picture and social media which ensures you let in only the best. 

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[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

@Joshua63  ENOUGH with solicitation spamming!  These community forums ARE NOT the place to hawk your services.  In fact, soliciation is prohibited.  Find another way to find people who need co-hosts, please.

[David126]

@Cynthia-and-Chris1

What worries me more is that he says AirBnB are good with claims?