Message i sent to Airbnb:
I consider my service to be in competition to hotels. Although there are large differences i like to offer the same services as hotels do, whenever i am able to. In this spirit i offer:
* One night stays.
* Cancellation with full refunds right up to arrival day.
* Shortened stays.
You send payment on the day after check in. This is not hotel practice. Hotels charge guests on check out. My suggestion is that you change your system and don't make payment until the host has confirmed check out. This will make it much easier in the event that guests either shorten or prolong their stays. This would save hosts the hassle of refunding guests or asking for additional payments. It would also make for more accurate billing. When a guest leaves earlier than expected i request a refund. But you fail to refund the occupancy tax and Airbnb fees.
Even if you are unwilling to change the current system of payment, when i request a refund to guests you should also refund, at a minimum, the occupancy tax. It is not right that guests pay taxes on services they did not receive. Even when hosts do not refund guests for early departure, the occupancy tax should not be charged.
When i refund guests you do not have an option for me to indicate that the occupancy tax should also be refunded.
I feel you open yourself to a class action suit from all guests who are not refunded occupancy taxes on early departures.