Furniture damaged by a guest: repair or replacement
What you can claim when a guest has damaged chairs, tables or the sofa.
The guest owes the repair first, and a replacement at its used value only if repair is not possible or costs more. Get a quote and show the piece was intact before the stay.
What applies to damaged furniture?
The guest is liable for the damage. How much they pay depends on what is needed to put it right.
- 1
Repair first
The guest normally owes the repair, as long as it is possible and not disproportionate.
- 2
Used value
If a piece must be replaced, the value of the used piece counts, not the new price.
- 3
Only the piece
With six matching chairs, the guest only owes the damaged chair.
- 4
Get a quote
A repair estimate makes your claim easy to follow.
- 5
Photo from before
Only a photo of the same piece from before the stay shows it was intact.
- 6
Mind the deadline
On Airbnb you ask the guest to pay within 14 days of checkout.
Already have damage?
Guest damaged something?
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Which rules apply
Under § 280(1) and § 249 BGB the guest owes the cost of restoration, usually the repair; if that is disproportionately expensive, money compensation is enough under § 251 BGB. On Airbnb you must ask the guest to pay within 14 days of checkout (Airbnb Host Damage Protection Terms).
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
One of six chairs is broken. Do I get six new ones?
No, the guest only owes the damaged piece. A new chair that does not match exactly does not by itself give you a claim to five more.
How do I prove the piece was intact before?
With a photo of the same piece from before the stay. Otherwise a wobbly chair or a tear in the fabric could always be older.
By when must I report furniture damage on Airbnb?
You must ask the guest to pay within 14 days of checkout, for example through the Resolution Center. If they do not pay, you file the payment request with Airbnb within 30 days of checkout, with evidence.
Also in this topic: Party damage in a holiday flat: who is liable for what?Guest smoked despite the ban: what can you claim?Cleaner reports damage: how does it become evidence?Airbnb guest damage: who pays?
Next guest arriving soon?
Scan the flat before check-in and after check-out, the larger furniture included. That way a claim rests on a comparison of before and after.
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