security deposit

[Deanna4]

Hello out there!

I have listed on my rooms that I require a security deposit of $150, which I will happily return if the room is left with  all things in tact. However, every booking that has come through never charges my guest for the deposit so I have nothing to return when all is well. Can someone please explain to me how the security deposit works, how do I collect it from my guest and how then can I return it to them when all ends well? Thank you! Deanna

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Hi Deanna

The security deposit is an agreement by the guest to have  a charge applied to their credit card (up to the amount) of your security deposit in the event that you raise a claim within 48 hours of their departure. Guests do not actually pay the security deposit when booking and neither should you attempt to collect one from them when they arrive. 

[Kimberly51]

thank you for the explination about the security deposit.. not very well explained on Airbnb..

So basically if you list in your ad aggreement that the security deposit is $300 the guest is aggreeing to pay that amount in the case of damage to the property...

but your saying the host only has 24 hrs. to report an issue in order to get security deposit applied if theres an issue?

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

That's pretty much it - the 24 hours seems to be a bit flexible, however you should always check for damage immediately after each guest leaves.

AirBnB will need photos, receiitps, estimates for replacements etc....

The first route if you find damage is to email the guest via the platform and see if they admit it. 

[Kimberly51]

Thank you for your response. 

Im new to hosting on Airbnb and want to make sure I get it right... 

[Sandra126]

It can actually be less time that that, as problems must be reported and documented (photos are good) BEFORE the next check in, so if you have people arriving the same day you need to get your skates on or the time will have expired.