When a guest books, when is the security deposit actually secured?

[Susanne-and-John0]

When does AirBnB actually secure the deposit? Is it when they book the reservation, or is it when they check in? 

I have a potential guest asking, and I imagine they are asking because they need a credit limit on their card to cover the rental cost and the security deposit. 

Cheers,

Susanne

[Emiel1]

Hello @Susanne-and-John0 ,

They don't secure it. It's just sitting there in the background when the reservation is booked. When you don't make a claim on it, the card will not be charged.

[Matthew285]

@Susanne-and-John0, it is as @Emiel1 says: there will be no charge to the guests credit card at all related to the Security Deposit, either before or during their stay.

The only time a charge *might* be applied is if the host needs to make a claim against the Security Deposit because the guest caused some kind of damages.