Security deposit and Guest confirmation

[Abby9]

Hi Everyone. I am a new host on AirBnb and I'm wondering if I should add a security deposit? Do most hosts do this? If so, how much? Is this something the guest pays and then will be refunded?

Also, is there a way I can confirm the guest before he/she books? I've had two guests book automatically without my approval. Is that how it's supposed to work?

Thanks!

Abby

[Donna15]

@Abby9, you have Instant Book turned on, which is why people can book without prior notice. If possible, try to turn it off.

If there's no way to do that - AirBnB has selected many new hosts to be 'guinea pigs', and they're forced to use Instant Book - contact AirBnB and request that they deactivate the function. 

I strongly urge you to request a Security Deposit, especially since your listing is geared to accommodate a number of people. The amount should be equal to cover the amount of possible damage you might envisage happening to your property. 

The deposit will show up automatically on a guest's booking comfirmation. No money is taken from the guest's acount during the process, so there's nothing to 'refund'. The deposit is simply 'held' in the event a claim is made against it within 48 hours of a guest's departure.

I also strongly recommend that you make your House Rules much more specific. Draw up a serious list that shows clearly the boundaries that guests are required to respect. Without house rules being visible on the page, AirBnB will not back you in the event that there's a problem.

Here's a link to some essential reading for hosts.

Contains a link with several international phone numbers (‘How to contact AirBnB’).

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/General-Hosting/Community-Help-Guides/m-p/23100#U23100

Donna

[Abby9]

Thank you so much, Donna. This is all very helpful.

[Nuck0]

Hi Abby, Nuck here.  I was wondering that as well on the Security Deposit... I set one, but was unsure.. think I'm just wingn it lol

[Nuck0]

After hearing from Donna, I'm going to increase it.. especially since they don't pay unless there is a claim.. Thanks Donna !

[Andrée2]

@Nuck0 and @Abby9,

I think that making the deposit approximately equivalent to two nights of stay at your place is a good place to start. It becomes much clearer as you do have to put in claims. Mine is $200 because I have learned that that is (on average) what I must pay the carpet cleaner if he must come out to steam clean the area rugs if guests mess them up.

And while we know that the deposit is not actually pulled and held from a guest's card, they don't know that so you don't want to make it so high that sounds like it could be financially painful for the guest to have that "reserved" during their holiday.

Again, Airbnb doesn't actually hold a dime. They simply have the guest approve of the deposit in the case that some or all of it is needed but the word 'deposit' does suggest that they won't have access to those funds and can be the difference between them booking your space or not. Typically they are not going to take the time to read the deposit policies or ask their potential host and you don't want them to just turn away from your listing for fear of your deposit.