How to win an Airbnb damage claim: the evidence to collect

The deadline most hosts miss

Under Airbnb's host damage protection, you need to report damage within 14 days of check-out, or before the next guest checks in, whichever comes first. On a busy property the real deadline is often the same day, so treat the gap between check-out and the next arrival as your claim window. Always check Airbnb's current terms, as the rules do change.

What evidence Airbnb looks for

• Photos taken right after check-out, before anything is cleaned or moved, from a few angles.
• Proof the item was fine before the stay, such as photos from the previous changeover.
• Proof of value: the original receipt, or the price of a like-for-like replacement.
• A repair quote or invoice from a real business.
• Messages with the guest about what happened, kept in the Airbnb app.

Airbnb tightened its evidence rules in 2026, and photos need to be genuine and unedited. Wear and tear is not covered, so the "before" photo is often what wins or loses the claim.

Set it up before anything goes wrong

The hosts who win claims are the ones who collected evidence as a routine, not after the damage. Three habits make the difference:

1. Ask your cleaner to photograph each room before cleaning at every changeover, and to photograph anything broken straight away. Those photos are your "before" for the next stay and your "after" for the last one.
2. Keep an inventory of valuable and breakable items with receipts or prices, so you are not hunting for them under pressure.
3. Ask guests to agree to your house rules before arrival. A record of what they agreed to, and how many people they said were staying, strengthens any dispute.

When it happens

1. Photograph everything before the cleaner starts, including a wide shot that shows where the damage is.
2. Message the guest through Airbnb, politely, describing what you found.
3. Get a quote or receipt for the repair or replacement.
4. Submit the request through Airbnb before the deadline, with all your evidence in one go.

Related guides

• Holiday let insuranceSpecialist cover with public liability. Standard home insurance usually excludes paying guests.
• Fire risk assessment for holiday lets and AirbnbsEvery holiday let needs a written fire risk assessment, kept under review.

Official sources

• Airbnb: AirCover for Hosts

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before you act.