You can decline any booking inquiries or reservations that you can’t accommodate, but you should do so within 24 hours. Whether you accept or decline, the amount of time it takes you to respond to requests is factored into your response rate.
When you decline a reservation request, you can choose to keep the calendar dates blocked or make them available for someone else to book. Update your calendar regularly so you only receive reservation requests for when you're able to host.
If you change your mind and would like to accommodate a reservation you declined, ask the guest to send a new request, or send them a Special Offer or pre-approval.
So, I chose to keep mine open so another guest could book, but airbnbs response was I am penalised by 14% because I double declined in 24 hours, and I should have closed my calender so he couldn't book. Talk about double standards!!
I really would appreciate anyone giving me advice as to how to take it from here as they are not responding to the above that I posted to them
@Inna22The other issue here is that we should be able to decline if we want to without penaly if we as hosts want to. This is basically telling me that I cannot decline anyone now if you see what I mean.