How best to handle Guest damage!

[Marty27]

Our most recent guests caused some damage to our listing such as stains on the couch, chipped walls, scratched floors, damaged Christmas decorations etc. They also snuck in extra guests beyond what was reported in the initial registration and did not report them.  Having read some of the discussions in the community I am getting the impression that Airbnb does not offer much in the way of support to the host to recoup such losses.  As a host I have extra insurance, I am licenced with the city and act in many ways like any other business; so is it possible to require a guest to provide me, as host, their credit card number upon registration at the listing.  I have the Square system and can therefore process any card. I can therefore handle my own damage deposit and not count on Airbnb to protect me against loss when they seem more inclined to advocate for the guests.  comments...

[Matthew285]

@Marty27, you are correct in that many people have had frustrating experiences trying to get reimbursed for damaged. But you should at least try the standard procedure first. (I am assuming you chose to have a Security Deposit for your listing.)

Make a claim in the Resolution Center: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/264/what-do-i-do-if-my-guest-breaks-something-in-my-place

The difficulty will come if the guest refuses to pay. If they agree to pay for the damage, then things can be very easy.

As to requiring a guest to provide a credit card number upon registration: my understanding is that AirBnB frowns upon doing any financial transactions outside of the AirBnB system. Feel free to ask AirBnB about your idea, though.

[Fred13]

I too, like Mathew, wondered how a new Credit Card requirement fits with Airbnb's policy. You are correct on assuming that getting remedy for scratches, a stain, etc from Airbnb may be as much fun as getting root canal; in all likelihood they will chuck that to expected 'wear and tear'. The snuck-in extra guest is another matter; perhaps that can be prevented in other ways, such as making it explicit not to do so, as you do now (stated in caps). Personably, that guest may be a fluke event, your gentle place just doesn't seem to be a candidate for the type of guests that tend to be 'shifty'.