Kevin Musprett
Co-founder & CEO
Airbnb Security Deposits: The 2026 Host Guide
By Kevin Musprett, Founder of Boring Host. We work with operators managing 1 to 1,000+ properties.
If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for less than three years, there’s a good chance you’ve never charged a security deposit and probably never will. Airbnb quietly removed traditional security deposits from its platform in 2022 and replaced them with AirCover for Hosts, a $3 million damage protection program built into every booking. Most hosts didn’t notice the change because Airbnb didn’t make a big announcement. They just stopped showing the deposit field in the listing editor.
But the searches for “Airbnb security deposit” keep coming, mostly from new hosts assuming the platform still works the way it did in 2019. It doesn’t. The system is now a hybrid of AirCover (automatic, free, with limits) and off-platform deposits (only available to API-connected hosts using property management software). Knowing which applies to you, and which protections you actually have, is the difference between getting reimbursed for a broken TV and eating the cost.
This guide walks through what changed in 2022, what AirCover covers, how the damage claim process actually works in the Resolution Center, and the three deposit-style alternatives that operators with bigger portfolios use to add another layer of protection.
What changed in 2022 and why most hosts can't charge deposits anymore
Before 2022, Airbnb let hosts set an optional security deposit on each listing. It typically ranged from $100 to $500, was authorized on the guest’s card 48 hours before check-in, and was released automatically if no claim was filed within 14 days of checkout. It worked well in theory but caused friction in practice. Guests would dispute the hold, payment authorizations would fail on low-limit cards, and the deposit acted as a psychological barrier to booking that hurt conversion.
In late 2022 Airbnb rolled out AirCover for Hosts globally and quietly retired the legacy deposit field. The change was framed as an upgrade. Instead of a $500 deposit that hosts had to manually claim against, every booking now ships with up to $3 million in damage protection at no cost to the host or guest.
For most hosts this was a net win. The protection ceiling went up by roughly 6,000x, the cancellation friction at booking dropped, and the claim process became standardized. The trade-off is that hosts no longer hold the money. If something breaks, you file a claim, you provide evidence, and Airbnb decides what to pay out.
A small subset of hosts can still collect deposits through Airbnb, but the rules are tight. You have to be an API-connected host (meaning you use approved property management software that integrates with the Airbnb API), and the deposit is collected and managed outside Airbnb’s booking flow. We’ll cover that in detail below.
AirCover for Hosts: what it actually covers (and what it doesn't)
AirCover is the default protection on every Airbnb booking. It includes four components that hosts can claim against if a guest stay causes damage or loss.
The first component is host damage protection, which covers up to $3 million in reimbursement for physical damage to your property or belongings caused by a guest. This includes furniture, appliances, electronics, and structural damage. It does not cover normal wear and tear, which is the most common reason claims get reduced or denied.
The second component is pet damage coverage, included in the same $3 million cap. If a guest’s dog scratches a hardwood floor or chews a couch leg, that falls under AirCover. Carpet stains from accidents are also covered, though Airbnb often pays the cleaning cost rather than full replacement.
The third component is deep cleaning protection, which reimburses hosts when a guest leaves the property in a state that requires professional cleaning beyond the standard turnover. This pays out at the actual cost of the cleaning, not a flat amount. You need an invoice from a cleaner to make the claim.
The fourth component is income loss protection. If damage from one guest forces you to cancel an upcoming reservation, Airbnb will reimburse the lost income from the cancelled booking. This is one of the most under-used parts of AirCover because most hosts forget it exists.
What AirCover does not cover is broad and worth memorizing. It excludes cash and securities, collectibles and rare items above a certain value, jewelry, pets owned by the host, shared spaces in a home where the host also lives, intentional damage caused by anyone other than the guest, and any damage where the host can’t provide adequate evidence (photos, receipts, repair quotes). It also doesn’t cover damage discovered more than 14 days after checkout. After day 15, the claim window closes regardless of cause.
The practical effect of these exclusions is that AirCover works well for everyday damage scenarios (broken glassware, stained linens, scratched floors, scorched countertops) and works poorly for high-value or hard-to-prove losses. If you have a $4,000 piece of art on the wall or a $20,000 hot tub, you should not rely solely on AirCover.
The Resolution Center claim process step-by-step
When something goes wrong, AirCover claims run through Airbnb’s Resolution Center, which is a tool inside the host dashboard. The process has six steps and a hard 14-day deadline from the guest’s checkout date.
Step one is document everything before anyone touches anything. Take dated photos of the damage from multiple angles. Take wide shots that show context (which room, which surface) and close-ups that show detail. If the item was in good condition before the stay, find a pre-stay photo. Listing photos from your Airbnb listing count as evidence if they show the affected item.
Step two is gather supporting documentation. For physical damage you need a repair quote or replacement cost. For deep cleaning you need a cleaner’s invoice. For income loss you need confirmation of the cancelled booking. Receipts for original purchase prices help but are not required for items under $500.
Step three is open the claim in the Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout. The form asks you to describe the damage, upload evidence, and propose a dollar amount. Be specific. “Broken TV, $450 to replace, receipt attached” pays out faster than “guest damaged property, $500.”
Step four is wait for the guest response. The guest has 24 hours to respond. They can accept, decline, or counter-offer. If they accept, payment processes within 3 to 7 business days. If they decline or don’t respond, the claim escalates to Airbnb support.
Step five is Airbnb’s adjudication. A support agent reviews the evidence and decides whether the claim is valid and what amount is reasonable. This typically takes 7 to 14 days. Decisions favor hosts who provided strong evidence and disfavor hosts who waited until day 13 to file.
Step six is payout or appeal. If approved, funds arrive in your payout account within 7 days. If denied, you can request a second-level review, but the success rate on appeals is low unless you have new evidence to submit.
The single biggest predictor of a successful claim is filing within 48 hours of checkout with photo evidence and a specific dollar amount backed by a quote or receipt. Claims filed on day 10 or later with vague descriptions get denied at a much higher rate. If you wait, it looks like you’re guessing rather than reporting actual damage.
API-connected hosts: how off-platform deposits work
A subset of professional hosts can still charge security deposits, but only outside of Airbnb’s booking flow. This applies to API-connected hosts, who are hosts managing their Airbnb listings through approved property management software that integrates directly with Airbnb’s reservation API.
Eligible PMS platforms include Hostaway, Hospitable, Hostfully, Guesty, Lodgify, Uplisting, and several others. If you use one of these to manage your listings, you can configure an off-platform deposit that’s collected separately from the Airbnb booking. The deposit is authorized on the guest’s card a day or two before check-in and released back to them a day or two after checkout if no damage is claimed.
The mechanics vary by PMS but typically work like this. The guest books on Airbnb at the displayed nightly rate. Shortly after booking, the PMS sends an automated message disclosing that a refundable security deposit will be authorized before check-in. Two days before arrival the PMS attempts to pre-authorize the deposit amount on the card the guest used at booking. If the authorization succeeds, check-in instructions are released to the guest. If it fails, the host is notified and the guest is prompted to provide an alternate payment method.
Typical off-platform deposit ranges are $200 to $500 for urban condos and standard listings, $500 to $1,000 for higher-end homes or beach properties, and $1,000 to $2,500 for luxury rentals and unique stays (hot tubs, pools, expensive art or equipment on-site).
The cost of running off-platform deposits is real. Most PMS platforms charge a per-transaction fee (usually 2.9% plus $0.30 to authorize the hold), and the friction of explaining the deposit to guests can cost you bookings. Operators who use off-platform deposits typically report a 3 to 8 percent drop in booking conversion compared to AirCover-only listings, balanced against materially better recovery rates on actual damage.
Off-platform deposits stack on top of AirCover, not in place of it. You can collect both, and if damage exceeds the deposit you can still file an AirCover claim for the difference.
The three deposit alternatives most operators use
For hosts who want more than AirCover but less than the complexity of running their own deposit, there are three common approaches.
Damage waivers are flat fees paid by the guest as part of the booking, typically $25 to $75 per stay. The waiver covers accidental damage up to a stated limit (usually $1,500 to $3,000) without requiring a deposit hold or claim process for small incidents. Companies like SafelyStay, Truvi, and Waivo offer this. The advantage is zero friction at booking and faster reimbursement for routine damage. The disadvantage is that high-damage incidents still need an AirCover claim, and the fee adds to the guest’s total cost.
Off-platform deposits through a PMS are the most operator-controlled option. You set the amount, you hold the funds, you decide whether to charge against them. This is the standard approach for portfolios of 10+ properties or any property with above-average damage risk (beach houses, properties with pools, large group bookings).
AirCover-only with strong pre-stay verification is the lightest-touch option and works well for most single-property hosts. Combined with good guest screening (ID verification, government-issued ID required, conversation before booking, profile completeness), AirCover handles the vast majority of damage scenarios with minimal friction at booking. The trade-off is that you take a small risk on the items AirCover excludes.
Most operators we work with running 1 to 10 properties use AirCover-only. Operators running 10 to 50 properties usually add a damage waiver or selective off-platform deposits on their highest-risk listings. Operators with 50+ properties almost always use off-platform deposits with full PMS automation.
How to set a deposit amount that actually protects you
If you’re an API-connected host setting up off-platform deposits, the amount matters more than most guides admit. Set it too low and a serious incident wipes out the deposit before you can claim the rest from AirCover. Set it too high and you suppress bookings.
A useful baseline is 1.5 to 2 times your nightly rate, capped at a sensible ceiling. A $200-per-night listing should carry a $300 to $400 deposit. A $500-per-night listing should carry $750 to $1,000. A $1,500-per-night luxury rental should carry $2,000 to $2,500.
Adjust upward for properties with above-average risk. A house with a pool or hot tub should add $300 to $500 to the baseline. A property that markets to groups should add $500 or more. A listing with expensive art, electronics, or specialty furniture should be set high enough to cover the most valuable single item without filing an AirCover claim.
Adjust downward for properties with above-average screening. If you only accept guests with verified IDs, completed profiles, and 5+ positive reviews, your damage rate will be materially lower than the platform average, and a lighter deposit will still protect you while improving conversion.
House rules language that holds up in a claim
The Resolution Center favors hosts who can show that the damage violated clearly stated house rules. Generic language (“treat the home with respect”) doesn’t hold up. Specific language with dollar amounts and consequences does.
Three patterns work consistently. First, name specific prohibited behaviors with consequences. “Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property, including outdoor decks. Violations result in a $500 cleaning charge to remove smoke odor.” This converts a subjective complaint into a documented rule violation with a stated remedy.
Second, name specific items and care expectations. “The hot tub is for guest use during your stay. Please do not add bath products, oils, or bubble bath. Damage to the filtration system from foreign products is charged at cost of repair (typically $400 to $1,200).” Airbnb support pays more attention to specific items than to general language.
Third, include a guest count policy. “This home sleeps 6. Additional guests are not permitted without prior written approval. Parties and events are not allowed under any circumstances.” Unauthorized guests and parties are the single highest-correlation factor with serious damage claims, and a clear rule makes the claim easier to win.
Put these rules in your house manual, in your booking confirmation message, and in the welcome message at check-in. Three exposure points before the stay starts gives you a much stronger case if you need to file a claim.
What to do next
If you’re a new host, you don’t need to do anything special. AirCover is on by default. Verify it covers your listing in your account settings and make sure your guest screening (ID verification, conversation requirement, minimum review threshold) is configured to filter the riskiest bookings.
If you’ve had a damage incident in the past 12 months, file a claim now if you’re still inside the 14-day window. If you missed the window, document the incident and review your house rules to prevent the next one.
If you’re scaling past 10 properties and want more protection, evaluate a damage waiver product first (lower operational cost) and consider off-platform deposits through your PMS only if the waiver doesn’t cover your typical incident size.
The Airbnb security deposit you remember from 2019 is gone. The protection that replaced it is materially better for most hosts as long as you understand how it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge a security deposit on Airbnb in 2026? Most hosts cannot charge a traditional deposit through Airbnb. The platform retired the standard security deposit field in 2022 and replaced it with AirCover for Hosts. Only API-connected hosts (those using approved property management software) can collect deposits off-platform, separately from the Airbnb booking flow. For everyone else, AirCover provides up to $3 million in damage protection at no cost.
What is AirCover for Hosts? AirCover is Airbnb’s free damage protection program included on every booking. It covers up to $3 million in physical damage to property and belongings, plus pet damage, deep cleaning costs, and lost income from bookings cancelled due to damage. Claims are filed through the Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout. AirCover does not cover normal wear and tear, cash, jewelry, or shared spaces in a host-occupied home.
How much should I charge for an Airbnb security deposit? If you’re an API-connected host using off-platform deposits, a useful baseline is 1.5 to 2 times your nightly rate. A $200 nightly rate typically carries a $300 to $400 deposit. Add $300 to $500 for properties with pools or hot tubs, and $500+ for properties that accept groups. Luxury rentals at $1,000+ per night typically carry deposits of $1,500 to $2,500.
How long do I have to file an Airbnb damage claim? You have 14 days from the guest’s checkout date to file a claim through the Resolution Center. The success rate is significantly higher for claims filed within 48 hours of checkout with photo evidence and a specific dollar amount backed by a quote or receipt. After day 14 the claim window closes and AirCover will not pay out, regardless of the cause.
Are damage waivers better than security deposits for Airbnb? For most hosts running 1 to 10 properties, damage waivers are lower-friction than off-platform deposits because the guest pays a small flat fee instead of having a large hold placed on their card. Waivers typically cover $1,500 to $3,000 in accidental damage and pay out faster than AirCover for routine incidents. The trade-off is that the waiver fee adds to the guest’s total cost, and serious damage above the waiver limit still requires an AirCover claim.
What is an API-connected Airbnb host? An API-connected host is one who manages their Airbnb listings through property management software that integrates directly with Airbnb’s reservation API. Eligible platforms include Hostaway, Hospitable, Hostfully, Guesty, Lodgify, and Uplisting. API-connected hosts can configure off-platform security deposits, automate guest messaging, and sync calendars across multiple booking channels. Most hosts with 5 or more properties operate this way.
Does Airbnb hold the security deposit? No. For API-connected hosts using off-platform deposits, the deposit is authorized through the property management software and held by the payment processor (typically Stripe). Airbnb is not involved in the deposit flow. For everyone else, there is no security deposit because the platform removed that feature in 2022 in favor of AirCover.
Why do Airbnb damage claims get denied? The most common reasons for denial are filing outside the 14-day window, insufficient evidence (no photos, no quotes, vague descriptions), claims that look like normal wear and tear, items that fall under AirCover exclusions (cash, jewelry, items in shared spaces), and damage that the guest disputes credibly. Claims filed within 48 hours of checkout with timestamped photos, a specific dollar amount, and a quote or receipt have the highest approval rate.
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Kevin Musprett
Co-founder & CEO
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