security deposit

[Newton3]

I had a guest staying with me a month ago who disobeyed the "NO SMOKING" rules I had established and smoked marijuana in the room, making it very smelly.  I wrote to AirBnB a day after and requested that they claim from the Security Deposit that they should be holding.  Now, I have not received any compensation though I had to spend funds to deep clean the unit.  Air BnB just told me that the guest has not released the money to them. I asked them about the security deposit they had put on hold. They told me it is VIRTUAL MONEY! what kind of foolishness is this? they say they cant pay me unless the guest gives them approval? Why then do they give us FALSE impression and comfort that they are "holding security deposit" in the event of any damage? and tell me that it is VIRTUAL MONEY! who must pay for my damage?

[Lisa1831]

Hi Newton, 

Guest are notified if your listing has a deposit fee but not charged. So there is no money to forward you unless they pay after you make the claim.

But read it for yourself in the link below:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/140/how-does-airbnb-handle-security-deposits?q=Deposit

Also pay attention to the deadlines. Smoking weed is a hard thing to prove as you cannot submit a photo.  So be sure to submit the cleaning bill in the resolution center.

Good luck