Airbnb's Fee Policy Change (5/10/2025)

[Matt Mertz]

Just got an email from Airbnb and everything looked fine until I got here:

"Security deposits can no longer be collected, with limited exceptions."

Ouch.  We use security deposits for peace of mind because when we started, Aircover denied us on deliberate damage by the second guest we hosted.  Not a great starting experience.  

Today, we don't even care if a guest has no reviews because the deposit is there.  We believe it enforces mindfulness from the guest and it's been great for us.  Guess we'll need to figure something else out.

The rest of the changes:

• Mandatory fees that guests need to pay, such as utilities, pet fees, and resort fees, must be included in the nightly price or “Additional Charges” in your calendar’s price settings.
• Any mandatory fees not included in a listing’s total price at checkout are no longer allowed.
• Optional add-ons, like paid parking, can be offered to guests but must be stated in listing description or house rules and processed through the Resolution Center.
• Any reservation changes, such as dates or number of guests, must be made directly to the booking by selecting “Change reservation” in the reservations details page.
• Security deposits can no longer be collected, with limited exceptions. To address damage or accidents that happen during a stay, Airbnb offers top-to-bottom protection through AirCover For Hosts.
• Payments for all fees must be processed through Airbnb with limited exceptions.

[Josh Sedivy]

Thanks for sharing this. Airbnb’s decision to restrict the collection of security deposits is a significant change, especially for hosts like you who have relied on it for peace of mind. It can be challenging when the platform makes changes that feel like they limit your control. However, it’s clear that you’re an experienced and thoughtful host, and with a few proactive adjustments, you can still put strong safeguards in place.
We usually use Safely, which might help you too, as it provides additional protection beyond Airbnb’s coverage. Also, vetting guests thoroughly before accepting bookings can add an extra layer of security.