what to do if a guest asks me to cancel their confirmed booking

[Shaktiprem0]

Does anyone know what penalties will apply for me, the host, if the guest asks me to cancel their booking - because they have thought they have the house to themselves though it is during a time when I am there. They could cancel getting the full refund but I think they are a bit upset that  they couldn't have the whole house to themselves over Christmas where they wanted to invite their family to celebrate with them in my house....

Anyway, I would like not to get penalties and wanted to know if anyone knows how to go about this the best way.

Thanks

Shaktiprem

[Ange2]

@Shaktiprem0This is all the ways to contact Airbnb   Good luck,

[Shaktiprem0]

Thanks so much. Everything sorted - satisfactorily for all parties.

Best

Shaktiprem

[Christian65]

You've listed it as Entire house ? Why are you all of the sudden there then?

You need to cancel right away, give them a full refund and apologise to them!

They could actually report you to Airbnb for misrepresenting your listing.

You won't be penalized for cancelling.

[David126]

Read the whole listing, not that bad but she did it a confusing way and as we all know people do not read the whole listing.

[Shaktiprem0]

Hi Christian,

thanks for the reply. 
I am overseas, that's why I listed the whole house. I didn't know that I can have two listings. 
I wrote that the price changes when I am there down to $x... Currently I am overseas (12 weeks in total), that's why I had the whole house listed. But I also have the cancellation policy so that if they cancel now that they get a full refund. No problems with that of course.
Best,
Shaktiprem 

[Shaktiprem0]

Hi David,

are you sure I won't be panalized for cancelling?

Best

Shaktiprem 

[Susie5]

@Shaktiprem0, @Christian65 is not correct in saying you won't be penalized - you WILL be penalized for canceling, and those dates will be blocked so no one else can book them. There are a few rare circumstances under which you might not be penalized but I don't think this situation is covered by any of those circumstances.  Your best bet is to ask them to cancel, refund their money and then ask them to rebook (at a lower rate, perhaps) under your new, more accurate listing which indicates that you'll be there.

[Shaktiprem0]

Thanks Susie

airbnbhelp on twitter was very helpful. They called me and then canceled it. No problems. All resolved satisfactorily for all concerned.

thanks again

Shaktiprem 

[Shaktiprem0]

Thanks to everyone in the airbnb community who has responded.

I learnt a lot from all of you. The best is to know that I can have two listings for one property.

the other good help was to contact airbnb on twitter @airBNBHelp. I got a response very quickly and got to,s that there was no problem and they cancelled it for me with no penalties for me. 

This is a good option to know for getting in contact directly with airbnb support. 

All the best to all of you

shaktiprem 

[Linda108]

Glad we could help, @Shaktiprem0.  Best of luck with your business!

[Edwin57]

Thank you for sharing and all the Host for there input we are all learning as well as I thats what I love about Airbnb we do help each other