Hi @Aisling63 @Ethan-T0 @Mike-And-Jane0,
I am replying as I found this thread incredibly helpful after recently experiencing a similarly frustrating appeal process where Airbnb investigation sided with host for false claims.
I stayed in Glendal, AZ (USA) Jan 22-25, 2026, and received a thank you from my host immediately after I checked out that morning for being considerate. He confirmed I left his home in "pristine condition," and was "welcome back anytime," then asked for a 5-star review to help his family business. I submitted 5 stars review same day as I enjoyed our stay and had no complaints, and he returned the favor with 5 stars for being a great guest.
Fast forward 2 weeks on 09Feb2026, host files a $1310 USD reimbursement claim for an interior door damage and requests we address this situation directly, fairly and professionally. I kindly declined the request for payment, noting that while I cannot with certainty confirm if the damage occurred before or after my stay, I did not cause the damage as described and a core hollow interior door at most from any local home improvement store is $100. Receiving such a request 2 weeks after host confirmed I left his home in pristine condition and him having many guests since, was at best misplaced and in worse case outright fraudulent.
The case was escalated to Airbnb investigative team, whom after reviewing the supporting evidence, sided with host and concluded the damage occurred during or before my stay, since host had a picture of the damage taken the afternoon after I checked out but they dropped the charges from $1310 to $232. Host did not have photo of damage before I checked in. Unfortunately, I was in and out of the home and spent very little time in; the one time I arrived crazy late to check in and skipped video photo documentation before unpacking (I had to wake up very early next morning for departure), this happens.
I appealed the review because while the damage is unfortunate and I understand that the host needs to cover the expense for a replacement, the responsibility rests on the host to provide appropriate evidence before and after, demonstrating damage was caused during my stay. If this cannot be done, a more reasonable option would be to divide the cost of a door ($100) by the number of tenants who rented the unit and have everyone split this amount. Asking a single tenant to cover the full amount when the damage cannot be pinned on any particular group is unfair. Investigative team upheld their original decision and confirmed on 24Feb2026 that my CC on file would be charged $232 on 10Mar2026 if payment was not submitted prior.
At this point, my CC recommends I allow the $232 USD charge to go through and then file a dispute via my bank. They also recommended I share my experience to help others and be sure to COB moving forward, regardless of how late and exhausted I am after traveling if I choose to book through Airbnb again. Hard less learned and honestly have loss some faith in humanity, but definitely will be documenting every nook, cranny and dust particle moving forward.
Prayers for anyone else who has gone through this nightmare - may the obligatory appeal process be quick and allow you to then dispute the charge through your CC / Bank after it concludes unfairly. Best of luck!
