Airbnb Security Deposit Management: the honest 2026 guide
Airbnb killed listing-level security deposits in 2019. AirCover replaced them — but doesn't cover everything. Here's how Airbnb deposits actually work in 2026, what AirCover does (and doesn't) cover, and how hosts take a real deposit when AirCover isn't enough.
Quick answer: does Airbnb hold a security deposit?
No. Since 2019, Airbnb stopped letting hosts set listing-level security deposits. Instead, hosts are protected by AirCover (up to $3M per stay), which is host damage protection — not a deposit. Airbnb may pre-authorise a guest's card for the booking amount, but no deposit is held. If you want a real deposit, you have to collect it off-platform (which Airbnb tolerates but doesn't facilitate).
What changed in 2019 (and what it means today)
Until 2019, hosts could set a security deposit on each listing (typically $100-$500). Airbnb would pre-authorise the deposit on the guest's card at booking. Damage claim? Host filed via Resolution Center within 14 days, Airbnb mediated. In 2019 Airbnb removed listing-level deposits in favour of AirCover (formerly Host Guarantee). Today there's no upfront hold — guests are told they may be charged 'in case of damage' but no money is actually pre-authorised.
What AirCover actually covers
AirCover for Hosts replaced the old Host Guarantee in 2021 and was rebranded again in 2022. It's host damage protection, not insurance, not a deposit. Here's what's in and what's out.
Covered by AirCover
- Damage to your property, furniture, and belongings (up to $3M)
- Pet damage (no separate pet deposit needed if AirCover applies)
- Income loss from unexpected cancellations under specific conditions
- Deep cleaning beyond standard turnover (case-by-case)
- Liability protection up to $1M for guest injuries
NOT covered (the gaps)
- Cash, securities, jewellery, fine art, collectibles
- Damage Airbnb deems 'normal wear and tear'
- Damage from cleaning fees you should have charged upfront
- Late checkout fees and operational extras
- Outdoor furniture not stored properly
- Anything that happens during a stay booked outside Airbnb
- Damage you can't prove was caused by the specific guest (timing, photos required)
How to file a damage claim on Airbnb (2026 process)
If something IS covered, here's the exact process. Most claims get denied because hosts skip steps or miss the 14-day window.
1.Document immediately
Time-stamped photos and video within 24 hours of checkout. Multiple angles. Compare to your pre-stay photos. Airbnb wants both.
2.Talk to the guest first
Required step. Message them via Airbnb messaging (not email) and ask them to pay for the damage. Most won't pay, but Airbnb requires you to ask.
3.File via Resolution Center
Within 14 days of checkout. After 14 days, AirCover won't process it. Include damage photos, receipts/estimates for repair or replacement, and screenshots of guest conversation.
4.Wait for guest response
Guest has 24 hours to accept, decline, or ignore. If declined or ignored, Airbnb steps in. Decision typically takes 7-14 days.
5.Escalate if denied
First-line claims often get rejected. Reply with more evidence, timestamped messaging proof, and a detailed claim breakdown. Persistence matters.
Why hosts collect deposits off-platform
AirCover is fine for catastrophic damage. It's terrible for everyday issues: a stained sofa, a broken chair, late-checkout abuse, an extra cleaning that shouldn't be on you. Off-platform deposits exist for two reasons:
AirCover claims are denied or delayed
Hosts report ~40-60% denial rate on minor damage claims. Even successful claims take 1-4 weeks to pay out. An off-platform deposit gives you immediate funds you can charge against, then refund.
Guest behaviour changes when a deposit exists
A €500 deposit on someone's card visibly changes behaviour. AirCover is invisible to the guest. Hosts using off-platform deposits report measurably fewer damage incidents — guests treat the property like they have skin in the game.
How to collect a security deposit off-platform (legally)
Airbnb's ToS allows hosts to collect 'additional fees' off-platform as long as they're disclosed in the listing description. Security deposits qualify — but the implementation matters.
The classic mistake is taking a deposit via PayPal or a bank transfer 'in case of damage'. You then have to chase the guest for a refund and they're furious. The right pattern is a pre-authorisation hold (sometimes called a 'manual capture' on Stripe, 'authorize-only' on Mollie). The card is pre-authorised for €500 at check-in. If no damage: the hold automatically expires after 7 days and never charges the guest. If damage: you capture the amount within 7 days. The guest sees the hold as 'pending' — never as a charge they need refunded.
1.Disclose in your Airbnb listing
Add to the description: 'A €500 refundable security deposit will be pre-authorised on your card upon check-in via [your payment processor]. No charge unless damage occurs.'
2.Set up a pre-auth deposit product
Use a payment processor that supports pre-authorisation holds. Stripe and Mollie both do. The hold lasts up to 7 days (extendable on Stripe to 30 days for some categories).
3.Send the deposit link before check-in
Email/WhatsApp the guest a payment link 24 hours before arrival. They authorise the hold (no money moves). You see the hold confirmed in your dashboard.
4.Capture only if needed
Damage during stay? Take photos, file via Resolution Center for record-keeping, then capture the deposit amount. No damage? Hold auto-expires.
5.Communicate clearly
Send the guest a message confirming the hold is released after checkout. Transparency makes guests far less stressed.
How PayRequest fits the workflow
PayRequest is built for this exact use case. You connect your Stripe or Mollie account, create a deposit product, and send the link. Pre-auth hold is automatic. Auto-release after 7 days. Damage capture in 1 click.
- Real pre-auth holds (not a charge you have to refund)
- €100 to €1,000+ deposit amounts via Stripe or Mollie
- Custom 'guest deposit' product types — separate from booking payment
- Combined with booking payment + extras (one card, multiple charges)
- Send via email, SMS, or WhatsApp with delivery tracking
- Guest sees a branded page (pay.yourrental.com), not buy.stripe.com
Frequently asked questions
Can Airbnb still ask guests for a security deposit?
Not at the listing level. Since 2019, hosts cannot set a security deposit on an Airbnb listing. Airbnb itself may pre-authorise the guest's card for the booking total, but no deposit is held separately. AirCover replaced the old deposit-and-claim model.
Does Airbnb hold a deposit when I book?
No. Airbnb charges the booking total to the guest's card at the time of booking (or in instalments per the host's payment plan). There is no separate deposit hold. AirCover covers eligible damage up to $3M, but it's not a deposit — it's host damage protection.
Is it allowed to collect a security deposit outside of Airbnb?
Yes, as long as the deposit is disclosed in your Airbnb listing description. Airbnb's ToS permits 'additional fees' collected off-platform if guests are informed before booking. Most hosts use a pre-authorisation hold on the guest's card (no actual charge unless damage occurs).
What is the Airbnb security deposit policy in 2026?
Airbnb does not allow listing-level security deposits. Hosts are protected by AirCover (up to $3M damage coverage, $1M liability). To collect a real deposit, hosts must use an off-platform payment processor and disclose this in their listing description. Pre-authorisation holds are the recommended method.
How do I claim Airbnb security deposit damages?
File a damage claim via Airbnb's Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout. Required: photos within 24 hours of checkout, repair estimates or receipts, and a message conversation with the guest first asking them to pay. Decisions take 7-14 days. Denial rate on minor damage is high — escalate with more evidence if rejected.
What's the maximum security deposit I can charge off-platform?
Stripe pre-auth holds support up to your card-processing limit (typically €1,000-€2,500). Mollie supports up to €1,000 on standard accounts. For very high-value rentals (luxury villas), some hosts use 2-step holds or partial capture. PayRequest supports either pattern.
What happens if I capture the deposit and the guest disputes it?
Document everything before capturing. Time-stamped photos, written guest agreement (in your booking flow), itemised damage breakdown. If the guest chargebacks, your evidence package goes to Stripe/Mollie. Disputes you can prove typically win — disputes you can't lose every time.
Related guides
Take real deposits, stop relying on AirCover
Connect Stripe or Mollie (5 min). Create a deposit product. Send the link 24 hours before arrival. Pre-auth hold for €500 — auto-released after 7 days if no damage. Used by hosts in 40+ countries.