What happens if you accidentally break something in an Airbnb?

Your Host may request reimbursement If your Host believes that you're responsible for damage, missing items, or unexpected cleaning costs, they may send you a reimbursement request through our Resolution Center. You'll have 24 hours to respond. If you pay the full amount, the request will be closed.



If you accidentally break something in an Airbnb, here’s what you should do:

1. Don’t panic, but act promptly.

  • Accidents happen. Being honest and proactive is key to resolving the situation smoothly.

2. Notify the host immediately.

  • Contact the host through the Airbnb app/messages (to keep a record).
  • Apologize, explain what happened, and offer to cover the cost or arrange a replacement.
  • Providing photos can help clarify the damage.

3. Check the house rules and Airbnb policies.

  • Review the listing’s house rules for any specific instructions about damages.
  • Airbnb’s Host Guarantee and AirCover for Hosts may cover significant damage, but guests are generally expected to pay for accidental damage.

4. Work with the host on a solution.

  • The host may request reimbursement through Airbnb’s Resolution Center. You can pay directly there.
  • If you agree on a cost, you can send money via the Resolution Center. If you disagree, Airbnb may mediate.

5. If the host files a claim under AirCover:

  • Airbnb may charge you for the damage (up to the amount of the security deposit if one was required, or through payment methods on file).
  • You’ll be notified and can provide input before any charges are made.

6. Leave an honest review.

  • The host may mention the incident in their review of you. Being upfront and responsible can mitigate negative feedback.

What to avoid:

  • Don’t ignore it or try to hide the

People Also Ask

How Does Airbnb Calculate Security Deposits? The damage deposit calculated is actually 60% of your rental's nightly rate with a cap of $1000 USD, this amount is usually adjusted for longer stays. If you have already added an amount as a safety deposit Airbnb will use the amount set by you.

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Do service fees apply to Airbnb cleaning fees? Unfortunately, yes. Airbnb charges its service fees based on the guests' total payment and host payout. Since cleaning fees are part of that, they are, therefore, subject to Airbnb's service fees.

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Yes, Airbnb hosts can sue guests if they feel they have been wronged. Airbnb hosts can file a suit in small claims court if they feel the guest has caused damage to their property or has violated the terms of the rental agreement.

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Airbnb agrees to pay you, as a Host, whenever the Responsible Guest fails to do so, to repair or replace your Covered Property (as defined below) damaged or destroyed as a result of a Covered Loss (as defined below), subject to the exclusions, limitations, and other terms and conditions of these Host Damage Protection ...

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Depending on the nature of the violation, Airbnb may also take other actions, such as canceling an upcoming or active reservation, refunding a guest from a Host's payout, and/or requiring Hosts to provide proof that they have addressed issues before they can resume hosting.

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Airbnb doesn't allow for hidden cameras or any other types of concealed recording devices. It does allow hosts to install security cameras in or around the property – as long as they're not in private areas like bedrooms or bathrooms, and as long as they are properly disclosed.

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Hosts don't need to charge for cleaning, and there are no Airbnb cleaning fee rules enforced. Many hosts do choose to charge a cleaning fee, as it keeps their rentals immaculate and encourages guests to leave a 5-star review.

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It's not uncommon for hosts to ask guests to take out the trash, run the dishwasher or start a load of laundry with the towels and sheets. There's no rule saying that Airbnbs can't do both — charge cleaning fees and require some light housekeeping.

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Contact Airbnb within 24 hours of guest departure. Provide specific details on what was damaged. Include photos and/or video along with receipts, invoices, written estimates, or links to comparable items denoting actual cash value for repair or replacement. Do not make up a replacement/repair amount yourself.

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In most cases, your refund amount depends on your reservation's cancellation policy and when you cancel. You can find the refund amount and cancellation policy specific to your reservation by starting to cancel your stay or your Experience.

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A cleaning fee is a one-off charge for cleaning the space you stay in and is set by the Host. It's an extra amount on top of the nightly rate when you book a listing. This fee covers the extra expenses Hosts incur when getting their place ready for guests to arrive or after they leave.

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In some instances, an Airbnb cleaning fee refund is possible. If a guest cancels their stay with you before the check-in time, the cleaning fee will be refunded to them in full. If a guest cancels after their booking has already begun, they will not receive a refund for the cost of the cleaning fee.

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As an Airbnb or Vrbo guest, you should always be aware that some rentals have hidden cameras or listening devices. A 2023 survey run by IPX1031 among 1,000 American travelers revealed that 1 in 4 had found a camera in a rental apartment.

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Even if you follow all of our steps, there's no guarantee that you'll eliminate Airbnb spying. Hosts don't need hidden cameras and microphones to spy on you during your stay. They can monitor the Airbnb's WiFi network and snoop on your online activity.

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In the United States, trust in Airbnb hosts was surveyed in 2019 with a survey of over 2,000 users of the popular rental platform. Of all respondents, 58% were worried about hidden cameras. Not entirely unjustified, as more than one in ten guests had already found a hidden camera in an Airbnb accommodation.

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Yes, you can be charged for damages even if you have a security deposit. Airbnb may choose to charge you for damages that exceed the amount of the security deposit. If the damages are significant, Airbnb may choose to pursue legal action against you.

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We may review, scan, or analyze your messages on Airbnb, as we describe in our Privacy Policy. We do this for a number of reasons, including: Identifying risks to our users.

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As the owner of a home, apartment, or townhome that you plan to rent out (to mostly unknown individuals), having video surveillance cameras installed can give you a bit of peace of mind that if something were to happen—theft, vandalism, other criminal activity taking place on your property— that solid video evidence ...

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If the guest accepts responsibility, then the deposit goes to the host to cover the missing item. If not, then Airbnb makes the call. Filing a claim on a deposit is easy. If you're a host, just go to the Resolution Center.

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Travelers piled on, too, sharing their own reasons for abandoning Airbnb: high prices, steep cleaning fees and a lack of service that stands in stark contrast to hotels.

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Generally speaking, it's reasonable to expect your housecleaner to dispose of any garbage in waste bins inside the house (as part of the Airbnb cleaning fee).

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