Post by High Priestess on May 27, 2016 16:26:20 GMT
Danielle shared Jan 2015 on Liability INsurance for hosts Group
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-176937
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101053
Useless Host Guarantee/Cancellation Policy
I rented my home to an irresponsible group who, in addition to leaving my front door wide open when they left, after disturbing my entire neighborhood all night, caused $3200 + worth of damage to my brand-new kitchen countertops.
I actually require a $3000 security deposit from every guest, and filed a request for a resolution to repair the damage these people had caused. I was asked for estimates and then more detailed estimates as the guest offered to pay first $2700, then $2500.
Airbnb staff are not insurance adjusters. They do not have any concept as to what the countertop repair will cost me. I was advised by Airbnb to set a security deposit in addition to accepting the $1 million host guarantee, but clearly neither are worth anything. They just do whatever they want.
Airbnb awarded me $250, not enough to even get a countertop fabricator to come out to the house.
Even a solution that would have somewhat disguised the damage was over $650. I am still waiting to hear how they arrived at a completely fabricated number of $250.
Just the week prior, I had another guest cancel within two days of when he was supposed to arrive. This happened after I discovered he was intending to get three times more people in the house than are allowed per reservation. This guest misrepresented himself by claiming he was “going to a wedding” instead of the truth - that he himself was getting married and was planning to have a bridal party in the house.
I have a strict cancellation policy, and Airbnb saw fit to simply award me nothing, though I had turned down other requests for that time slot. At least in this.case after having to fight for it, I was awarded half of what I should have gotten.
I have received nothing but five-star reviews, and have gone to great lengths to be an excellent host and sing the praises of Airbnb. I'm even attending the Open in Paris. But now, I feel as though Airbnb has really hung me out to dry. So much for loyalty.
Let there be no misconception. The only thing you are guaranteed of as a host on Airbnb is this: You may get screwed over on occasion by a guest, but it’s a fairly consistent experience to get screwed over by Airbnb itself.
Require a security deposit, or set a cancellation policy. But neither are worth a hill of beans because Airbnb will be sure to take the teeth out of both of them.
Suggestions welcome on how to protect ourselves, when our homeowner insurance will not cover these stays and Airbnb throws hosts under the bus when there's a problem with guests.
I am considering requiring a security deposit I retain in an escrow account to be returned at the end of the rental if there has been no damage. But in truth, liability is the real issue. Property damage is painful, but liability? There is the real can of worms.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-176937
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101053
Useless Host Guarantee/Cancellation Policy
I rented my home to an irresponsible group who, in addition to leaving my front door wide open when they left, after disturbing my entire neighborhood all night, caused $3200 + worth of damage to my brand-new kitchen countertops.
I actually require a $3000 security deposit from every guest, and filed a request for a resolution to repair the damage these people had caused. I was asked for estimates and then more detailed estimates as the guest offered to pay first $2700, then $2500.
Airbnb staff are not insurance adjusters. They do not have any concept as to what the countertop repair will cost me. I was advised by Airbnb to set a security deposit in addition to accepting the $1 million host guarantee, but clearly neither are worth anything. They just do whatever they want.
Airbnb awarded me $250, not enough to even get a countertop fabricator to come out to the house.
Even a solution that would have somewhat disguised the damage was over $650. I am still waiting to hear how they arrived at a completely fabricated number of $250.
Just the week prior, I had another guest cancel within two days of when he was supposed to arrive. This happened after I discovered he was intending to get three times more people in the house than are allowed per reservation. This guest misrepresented himself by claiming he was “going to a wedding” instead of the truth - that he himself was getting married and was planning to have a bridal party in the house.
I have a strict cancellation policy, and Airbnb saw fit to simply award me nothing, though I had turned down other requests for that time slot. At least in this.case after having to fight for it, I was awarded half of what I should have gotten.
I have received nothing but five-star reviews, and have gone to great lengths to be an excellent host and sing the praises of Airbnb. I'm even attending the Open in Paris. But now, I feel as though Airbnb has really hung me out to dry. So much for loyalty.
Let there be no misconception. The only thing you are guaranteed of as a host on Airbnb is this: You may get screwed over on occasion by a guest, but it’s a fairly consistent experience to get screwed over by Airbnb itself.
Require a security deposit, or set a cancellation policy. But neither are worth a hill of beans because Airbnb will be sure to take the teeth out of both of them.
Suggestions welcome on how to protect ourselves, when our homeowner insurance will not cover these stays and Airbnb throws hosts under the bus when there's a problem with guests.
I am considering requiring a security deposit I retain in an escrow account to be returned at the end of the rental if there has been no damage. But in truth, liability is the real issue. Property damage is painful, but liability? There is the real can of worms.