Two Items Stained and One Damaged - Should I Collect Fees?

[Steve44]

Recently, a guest stayed at my place (mind you this was only my fifth or sixth guest and the place was more or less immaculate prior to him) and I noticed that my white lacquered dining table has these permanent yellow stains on it. Granted, it was likely not the best choice to get a white lacquered high-gloss dining table from CB2, but we wanted to make an impression with guests. 

Also, the same guest game me the heads up that a recently purchased giant White Swan for the pool had been popped (this was a toy a previous guest had left behind, but I promised that guest I'd keep it for her when she returns, so now I have to pay for a new one). 

Should I collect fees for either of the two incidents above? The stain on the table is pretty much a complete loss. Re-lacquering the table will be super costly, potentially as much as the cost of the table. And I've tried all sorts of things to remove it with no major luck. 

The same guest left countless stains on the duvet covers, which my cleaner should have treated but didn't. 

Is this just the burn to be in business as an Airbnb Host? 

Thanks,

-Steve 

New to Hosting. 

[Sarah-and-Alex0]

If you don't have a deposit set, I'm not sure whether you can charge the guest anything, but in that case, set a deposit that will cover anything that might need to be replaced, and possibly list in your house rules items that will definitely bring the deposit into play if they're damaged (and remember that guests aren't charged the deposit unless you call something in within 2 days; guests don't always know this).  Refinish the table surface with concrete paint?  chalkboard paint?  something funky and harder to damage  🙂  The price of those giant swans has really come down from last year, so you should be OK there.  Best of luck!

[Steve44]

Thank you, Kate. I do have a deposit set. But I didn't notice the damages until almost a week later, and my cleaners failed to notify me. 

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Unfortunately then you are out of pocket unless the guest offers to refund you - also some things are just wear and tear. A white swan popping - cant see Airbnb giving you a refund on that. It happens. 

[Steve44]

Agree! Thanks for the reply!