Host & Guest both want to cancel (long-term, 1 month, after 48 hr initial cool down period)

[Michael716]

Hi!

I have met with the host of a place I'm renting in February. It turns out that the neighborhood isn't suitable for me (well, more specifically my girlfriend and our inability to rent a car due to lack of driver's licenses). It's a bit of a rough area and basically after dark it's not recommended to walk around, which we have to do, as we are depending on public transport. 

I met the host today to talk to him about the situation and he was very friendly and understanding. And said indeed in my case it maybe was better if we cancelled. He however never had people book longer than 28 days so he did not know of the long-term cancellation policy. 

If I cancel : I do not get the 1st month back (but his listing will open up, and he can rent again to others, right?). As it's only 1 month that's not useful.

If he cancels, he gets a bad mark on his account, some penalties and worse, the dates get blocked. Not an option.

So we are looking for a way to cancel in which the dates become free, and he can either through airbnb or in cash return me the money. I understand there are AIRBNB fees and am totally willing to pay those to him. And I also told him for the troubles to keep part of the rent. 

All is fine between the host & I but we are unsure how to proceed and what possibilities exist to cancel the booking. For example, he says he has not been paid yet by airbnb (it would normally occur the day before arrival, or the day after, not sure). But I of course already paid.

If anyone can shine some light on this and find a solution would be super helpful, we're both eager to solve this! 

[Sue251]

I'm pretty sure you can change your reservation and the host can approve the change, even on a long term booking.

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/help/article/913/can-i-change-a-reservation-as-a-guest

[Sarah977]

@Sue251  You can alter a reservation to other dates or to add or subtract dates, but you can't alter a reservation to 0 nights booked.

@Michael716  You sound like a really reasonable, responsible person. It's quite refreshing to read that a guest acknowledges the time spent by the host on a reservation a guest would like to cancel as well as the penalties a host incurs by cancelling from their end- so many guests seem to think that it's just fine to change their plans last minute and demand a full refund, leaving the host not only with unbooked dates they may not be able to rebook, but having spent time communicating with the guest for zero compensation. 

I would suggest that you and/or the host contact Airbnb customer service and explain the situation and see if they will just cancel it with no penalties to the host and with you paying whatever you and the host has agreed upon that would be fair.

Alternatively, since it seems you and the host are on the same page and you seem to feel he is honest, I would reiterate the agreement you've come to via Airbnb messaging so there's documention, including the host offering to refund you XX amount when you cancel. Then you cancel and the host's dates open back up and he can send you the refund through the "send money" option in the Resolution Center. You will not receive the service fees back that you paid to Airbnb (which has nothing to do with the host), as Airbnb retains that after the 48 hour grace period, but you seem to be aware of that.

[Linda108]

@Michael716   I am surprised that you, as a host with over 30 reviews and as a guest with over 20 reviews that you do not know how to proceed.  I agree with @Sarah977 .