This forum is dedicated to connecting hosts with other hosts. Sign up to get the latest updates and news just for AirBnb hosts! Note that we are not affiliated with Airbnb - we are just passionate hosts!
I had a young woman here for three nights. The last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I smelled something burning. I saw her bedroom door open (she’s up the spiral staircase, I’m downstairs). I asked if she was burning something. She said, “Yes, incense.” I said, “You can’t burn anything in my house!” And she said okay. I didn’t go up there to check.
So… today, my cleaning lady told me someone burned a hole in the couch upstairs. Sure enough, the couch that faces the No Smoking sign has a small burn (yes, I have a no-smoking sign on my upstairs lanai).
So… what now? She must have dropped the incense on the couch since the burn is on two sides of a crease (two small burns).
I’ve never made a claim with Airbnb.
What do you think?
Peggy
Your guest burned the sofa, not Airbnb. They will most likely ask you to contact the guest (if you haven’t done so already) and request reimbursement through the Resolution Center.
But, I googled it and a ton of how-tos and videos came up. It seems super easy to repair it yourself and will definitely be faster (and easier) than requesting money from the guest, mediating through airbnb, finding someone to do the repair and waiting for someone to do the repair. It is unlikely that someone will come and repair it for you “in-place” which means you will have to transport the sofa to an upholstery shop, wait for it to be repaired and then have it transported back to your STR. Meanwhile, you can’t have guests staying (and paying) in your STR. You probably will even have to cancel some guests or give partial refunds if your sofa is “in the shop” instead of your STR.
You can try to get some money from the guest if it makes you feel better, but you should ask yourself what really works out the best for you in the end.
If you fix it yourself, you don’t lose any rentals, you spend a lot less time dealing with the guest and Airbnb and an upholstery shop, costing you time and money. Also, it is possible that you will end up dealing with a vindictive review or generally poking and disturbing the guest and that will also cost you time and money in the end.
FWIW, I think it’s faster, easier, cheaper and less stress to just fix it yourself. If you don’t feel very “handy”, it’s certain that you have a friend or family member that could handle it.
