Security deposit

[Bex3]

Hey I am hoping someone can answer my question:

Does the guest have to pay the security deposit upfront and they then get it refunded at the end of their stay? Or is the amount only taken from the guest if the host makes a claim at the end of the stay?

Cheers

[Linda108]

@Bex3  The second option is correct.  More information about security deposit in the Help Center if you need it.

[Supatra0]

It is up to you. But hospitality industry does not  ask for security deposit from guest of daily stay. However, for weekly or monthly stay, they do , so Ii suggest that yuo do , too.  But make sure that you state it clearly on your site, that security deposit is required 

[Monika64]

@Supatra0 Hotels don't ask for security deposit because they have their own insurance for damages. Home owners don't. Some insurance companies will cancel your home owners insurance if they know you rent trough Airbnb.

You cannot fully rely on Airbnb's promissed host guarantee either as it's fight to get any money from it.

There are areas where the most risky guests are one night guests as lots of host here will tell you they cause the most damage (hence why many listing states a min stay of 2 or more nights).

@Bex3 Set a security deposit. It'll not be charged but only noted on your guests' credit card so it's really not an inconvinience for them but safety for you in case you need to cover some damage.

Better yet, save a % of your income for damage repair as some hosts do it so even if your guest doesn't agree to pay the security deposit you'll have something to fall back on in case you need to fix something.