my french chalet

[Davi35]

i have in the last few hours booked a flat in chamonix, once i paid i recieved communtication from the host confirming dates ect , then they ashed for my e mail so they could contact me. without thinking i sent it. 5 mins later i recieved a link to a web site called myfrenchchalet , with my booking details and other info , is this right, i am not sure about this 

[Ana1136]

@Davi35 is it something like the official website of the place you booked? Maybe the host sent you an e mail with all the info at one place and a link to their website. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Davi35 

give us a link to this listing here on Airbnb and the link for the myfrenchchalet website and maybe we will be able to tell you more

[Davi35]

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**[Link removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines

[Davi35]

this is the host 

 i habe piad through airbnb via paypal 

i noticed the invoice sent to me from www.myfrenchchalet does not correspond with the payment on airbnb  it seems to be 100 pound less 

also i messaged before asking about a security deposit and they said it  was air bnb asking but they wouldnt collect it , then on this new invoice it is asking for 400 pound security deposit to be paid before entering 

[Ana1136]

@Davi35 they say in their Airbnb description that they have a property company so hence the website. The invoice form the website is 100$ less because they have probably deducted the fee you pay to Airbnb. They are correct about the deposit, Airbnb doesn't collect it. Did they ask for money outside of Airbnb? 

[Davi35]

Hello - i think airbnb just pre authorise it - 400 gbp - bot not taken

that was the reply after i asked if there was a security deposit 

[Ana1136]

@Davi35 yes this is true, they don't take it. 

[Davi35]

they have asked for payment of a security deposit 4 days prior to arrival and then a refund 5 days after 

[Ana1136]

@Davi35 you shouldn't exchange money outside of Airbnb. 

[Davi35]

yes it is asking to pay damage deposit1 to 4 days before arrival to retrieve access codes 

it is asking me to do that through myfrenchchalet website 

[Sarah977]

@Davi35  if you weren't asked to sign some kind of contract when booking this place through Airbnb stating that a cash deposit will be collected on arrival (I think large property management companies may be allowed to do this, but you have to agree to it when booking), then contact Airbnb ASAP to tell them that the host is telling you that you have to pay them a cash security deposit before giving you the door codes. This is definitely not allowed. Screen shot the emails for Airbnb to look at.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Davi35 @Sarah977 @Ana1136 

I've seen another thread here on CC about cash security deposit and it seems property management companies and agencies are allowed to collect it.

Private hosts are not allowed. (so much about discrimination)

[Sarah977]

@Branka-and-Silvia0  But if they're listing on Airbnb, wouldn't they have to disclose that in the listing ad, rather than spring it on a guest after they've booked? And this host only has 2 listings- it doesn't appear to be a property management company. The listing has the normal wording about the security deposit- that you could be charged up to 400 euros. Nothing about paying it in cash before being given the door codes.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

Yes it would be logical @Sarah977 

I agree @Davi35  should call Airbnb CS