Airbnb guest damage: who pays
How to claim guest damage on Airbnb, which deadlines apply and what decides a claim.
First ask the guest to pay in the Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout; if they do not pay, file the request with Airbnb within 30 days. What decides it is whether you can prove the condition before the stay.
How does an Airbnb damage claim work?
AirCover is a programme run by Airbnb, not insurance. It applies only to Airbnb bookings and has fixed steps.
- 1
Guest first
Ask the guest to pay in the Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout.
- 2
24 hours
The guest has 24 hours to respond; after that you can involve Airbnb.
- 3
Request to Airbnb
If the guest does not pay, file the request within 30 days of checkout.
- 4
Evidence
Airbnb asks for photos, receipts and repair estimates, among other things.
- 5
Unaltered
Evidence must not be altered in any way, including by AI.
- 6
Condition before
A photo after checkout shows the damage, but not when it happened.
Already have damage?
Guest damaged something?
Don't just leave the photos in your camera roll. BildProof helps you document the damage, add supporting evidence and create an organised, sealed report for your claim.
Create my damage report · €9.99One-time purchase · No app download required
Which rules apply
Under the Airbnb Host Damage Protection Terms you ask the guest to pay within 14 days of checkout and file the request with Airbnb within 30 days. Evidence must be true, accurate and unaltered; if Airbnb cannot verify it, it may deny the request.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for damage an Airbnb guest causes?
First you ask the guest to pay through the Resolution Center; they have 24 hours to respond. If they do not pay, Airbnb reviews the case under AirCover.
How do I prove damage is new?
Only by comparing before and after. Without the before state, it is your word against theirs.
By when must I report damage to 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: How to Prove Short-Let Damage Is NewDamage found later: what can you still do?Calculating compensation: new price or depreciated value?Guest lost the key: who pays for the locking system?
Next guest arriving soon?
Scan the flat before check-in and after check-out. That way a claim with Airbnb rests on a comparison of before and after.
See BildProof for hosts