Short-term rentals can be an effective way of earning extra income. However, letting a stranger into your property comes with risks. Even if you choose guests carefully and comply with safety regulations, your home could suffer damage.
Occasionally, you might let it slip. Still, if the damage is extensive, reparation costs could go up. In these cases, you can seek options to get compensation for the damages inflicted on your property.
Demanding payment from the guests
Accidents happen, and guests can take responsibility for their actions. Airbnb advises guests to notify hosts of any lost objects or damages inflicted during their stay. However, if they fail to do so, you might learn about the incident after they check out.
In this scenario, you can message the guest and let them know about the damage inflicted during their stay. Additionally, you can start a reimbursement request. If the guest accepts it, they will cover the reparation costs. Still, they can deny or ignore the requests, which could cause Airbnb to get involved.
Consequently, a support representative will review your request and ensure it is reasonable. Then, they could demand payment from the guest or charge their card to close the request. Despite their efforts, the guest could still refuse to pay. Fortunately, you might still have other options.
Airbnb could cover the damage
With some exceptions, Airbnb offers damage protection to compensate hosts for unexpected scenarios. This protection covers damages and extra cleaning fees up to $3 million. To submit a request, you must provide photos of the damage within the 14-day deadline. Additionally, you should read the platform’s policy and ensure the damage is covered.
Review your insurance policy and local regulations
Furthermore, you can review your property’s insurance policy to determine if you could receive compensation for the damages. Determining if the guests violated local regulations while inflicting the damages is also important. Then, you can seek legal counseling to determine the next steps. An attorney can determine the viability of your case and evaluate your options.
