Reporting damage
Damage can always happen, by accident or through wear and tear. What matters most is how you deal with it. Reporting quickly and honestly saves a lot of hassle.
What to do when there's damage
- Report it to your host immediately: The sooner you report it, the better. Even if it seems minor
- Take photos: Document the damage with photos. It helps with assessing and repairing it
- Describe what happened: Send your host a message (preferably via the chat) with a brief explanation of what occurred
- Discuss the solution: Who repairs it? Who pays? In many cases, it's simply a matter of talking it through together
Types of damage
Normal wear and tear
Small scratches on the floor, slight discolouration, furniture wear from daily use: this falls under normal wear and tear and is not your responsibility. This cannot be deducted from your deposit.
Damage from use
A broken chair, a hole in the wall or a damaged door does fall under your responsibility. Be honest and report it. Together with your host, you can discuss how to resolve it.
Pre-existing damage
This is exactly why it's so important to create an inspection report when you move in. Photos of the room at the start prove what damage was already there before you arrived.
What about the deposit?
Damage beyond normal wear and tear may be deducted from your deposit. Your host has to back this up with photos and a cost breakdown. Read more about the deposit return process.
Tip
Prevent damage by treating the room and furniture with care. And if something does happen: honesty is always the best policy. Hosts appreciate it when you're open about what occurred.