Security deposit.

[Daniel127]

I've just had a terrible experience with a guest leaving the key in the front door and it being taken. I've had to change the locks on my apartment and it cost me €240 plus my loss of earnings due to not being able to leave my apartment unguarded while I waited for a guy to come and change the locks.
Airbnb have refunded me the cost of changing the locks but not for the loss of earnings. They have suggested that in future I ask for a security deposit.
I have a few questions regarding this and was hoping other hosts could possibly help me.
•Does having a security deposit put off potential bookings?
I allow guests to stay as little as one night so I worry that if the booking is for as little as €25 and I have a security deposit of €240 am I likely to get far less bookings?
•what's a reasonable amount for a security deposit?
I don't have much of real value in my property and other than a catastrophe I can't see a problem which would cost so much. Other than someone breaking a double glazed window (I doubt that would happen as I live in the property and my presence normally persuades guests to act in a civil manor.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Dan

[Allison2]

Because the security deposit is only collected if there are damages, having a (reasonable) security deposit hasn't decreased my bookings. Be sure to outline in your rules the charges/consequences of violating a rule & what you charge per hour if your time is required. (Like lost key will require re-keying at $x, which includes your lost wages at $/hr).

Think of the biggest thing a guest could damage/break and then set your security deposit around there. If you don't have anything valuable in your place, make it enough to cover a lost key/rekeying.