Guests Damages

[Elle50]

I rent out a room in my apartment with en-suite. 

I've had my current guests leave and the window bracket was bent and I was unable to shut it. Luckily we currently have builders on the outside who hammered it back in and sorted it for me, but something like this would have cost £5,000 upwards to fix normally as they would need specialist equipment to fix it. But is specifically says to not let the window off the latch (10th floor apartment - high winds). 

I've also had my shower forced (there's a little button that needs to be pressed in order to change the temperature). It'll be the second time I'll have had to call a plumber out to fix it within the year. 

I am getting worried that these things will eventually get really costly. 

I want to know if the host guarantee will cover these kinds of things? I haven't seen anyone successfully claim on these types of things? 

I'm not going to put a claim in currently as they haven't been big fixes but I would like to know how hard it is to successfully claim these things. 

Thanks 

[Ana1136]

@Elle50 when you read on this forum you will mostly see unsatisfied hosts with their claims but I am sure there are many who settle things in their advantage but they are not interested in sharing their experience since they are satisfied. It is very difficult to tell the percentage of hosts that are satisfied vs the ones who are not. It is a good idea to keep a small percentage of every booking as a saving for future problems, it saves a lot of trouble. 

[Paul347]

I used to include a damages deposit of £200, which is returned to the guest within 14 days of them departing, assuming you have not put in a claim for any damages. This came in very handy on a couple of occasions when guests had incurred damages that cost me money. They never argued and Airbnb reimbursed me for the damages caused. When bookings began to tumble, I decided to remove the £200 damages deposit. Since then I have made 3 claims for damages which the guest has admitted to via messaging. Although I have put in a request for the amount each time to Airbnb- that was the last I ever heard. So, I guess the story of this is to add a damage deposit  for each booking taken. or  simply accept that damage will occasionally occur at your own expense.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Elle50 

it is always better to avoid than to fix. Print a picture from the user manual to show how to change the water temperature by pressing this button (with an arrow pointing at it). Draw a picture or just write a sign "Keep the windows closed all the time" and tape it on each window.

I know it is not very decorative but unfortunatelly it is necessary for STR. It is like hosting 10 y. old kids.

We bought and installed the simplest appliances, locks, roller blinds... and were surprised how many guests don't know how to use it. Even if all you need is common sense. Soon enough we have a house manual and a lot of labels and notes all over the place and it helps.

A few very important things we tell and repeat a few times during check-in. For example " Always close the front door" . 

Of course, nothing is full proof ;(