Airbnb additional fees

That sounds dodgy - raise it with Airbnb and start looking for an alternative

The deposit is almost understandable, the admin fee not.

Yes, dodgy as.. they're either trying to avoid AirBnB fees or scam you out of more cash (or both).

The payment he’s requested is a link outside of Airbnb.

Sounds a bit suspect.

Change Airbnb for ebay, PayPal, your bank, any shop etc.

It's not a bit suspicious, it's a massive red flag. Did they ask for payment by western union?

Report it. Do not pay it.

The deposit is almost understandable

The op has paid. Why would subsequently requesting a deposit sound anything close to understandable?

The op has paid. Why would subsequently requesting a deposit sound anything close to understandable?

I've paid damage deposits for AirBnB bookings.

I should qualify that I've done it outside the UK and usually in cash, but my point is that it's not unheard of. Which os why I said that it was almost understandable.

AirBnB don't approve of it though https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/140

That sounds dodgy – raise it with Airbnb and start looking for an alternative

This.
Report and rebook. Don’t send any more money.

I’ve paid damage deposits for AirBnB bookings.

Thanks all

First time using Airbnb as well 🫤

Had a chat with Airbnb and they've said only pay through their website. They said any additional fees is unusual.

The rental is looked after by a property company and it looks as though they are trying to avoid fees. They also wanted me to confirm my address and date of birth through a link they sent.

As an Airbnb host this is 100% not normal - and actually against Airbnb's rules for hosts.

Only deal with Airbnb for all aspects of the booking including communication that way both you the guest and the host are covered.

Guests shouldn't have to pay any additional damage deposit or deposit scheme. Airbnb offer their own damage renumeration system if a guest damaged the property so there's no reason for it unless the host wants to double claim.

Same for I'd verification - you can set what level of ID you require of a guest on Airbnb.

Really p's me off when hosts do this as it damages system.

I had a guest this am want to make changes to their booking outside of airbnb bug it literally took seconds with them on the ap

We list on Airbnb sadly*.  I've only ever requested additional payments for ancillaries like pets, laundry etc. and everything goes via Airbnb.  I'd raise it with Airbnb directly and tell the host that's what you're doing.

*They are a pita to deal with, worse than the other biggie.  So much so we uplift our rates for booking via them by 15-25%.  All upfront though - the price you see is the price you pay.

Edit - after reading your update above I'd cancel the booking to be honest, if you can.  The host sounds dodgy.

I must admit when I first saw the thread title I assumed it was going to be about how a £50pn booking is £600 for seven nights because of an exorbitant cleaning fee and service charge.

I miss the days of Airbnb actually being a cheap spare room in someone's house for a night or two.

Just had this reply from the rental.

We are permitted to as an offline fee outside Airbnb.
Host & Stay are committed to our owners that their homes are protected mm during bookings. For this reason, we work on our external company provider Know Your Guest/Superhog.

We require all of our guests to transfer a £250

.00 Damage Deposit (subject to a £10.00 administration charge) or, to purchase an Accidental Damage Waiver for £25.00 which will cover you for up to £500.00 of accidental damage during your stay.

Pass that to Airbnb and ask for a refund

As a former AirBnB host still on some of the Facebook groups I'm not surprised at some hosts asking for extras. I'm not condoning it, but requesting payment for damage from AirBnB is not a simple process. Having said that, the number of entitled gammons in some of the groups is quite astounding.

Interesting https://knowyourguest.superhog.com/frequently-asked-questions/

As it's API-Connected software it's permitted. 

Not sure why that should make any difference TBH.

The whole point of using something like AirBnb is to keep you & your money safe in their eco-system. Anyone asking for money outside that system raises a massive red flag & I would immediately be looking for an alternative.

As it’s API-Connected software it’s permitted.

Not sure why that should make any difference TBH

Very odd.

There is one exception: Hosts who manage their listings with API-connected software can set a security deposit using our offline fees feature. If a Host has done this, the deposit requirements will be clearly communicated during the booking process.

Would suggest the op should have seen the deposit clearly in the booking though.

I'd personally still tell them to do one.

Just had this reply from the rental.

Hahaha no. Everyone's already said it but don't pay it, pass it to AirBnB and book somewhere else. The minute you pay money outside of their platform you should consider it gone.

I have had same with airbnb paid enjoyed stay and funds refunded within 24hrs of leaving.

report to airbnb

I'd definitely not be paying that.  Everything about it screams wrong.  Refuse, report to Airbnb and cancel the booking if poss.

Latest...

Airbnb are going to find me alternative accommodation for the same price or will get a full refund.

Fingers crossed 🤞

Out of interest, was/is there any mention of the deposit requirements in the listing on ABnB? Or was it only when you went through the booking process?

Management companies on Air BnB are a PITA, as a customer the whole reason you're on air BnB is to use them as a management company between you and another individual. I'm continually astounded it's as popular a platform as it is. Getting somewhere and finding you've accidentally e-mailed a confirmation to the A BnB account, not the management company, and then it's a third persons cousins nephew that has the key, but he's gone away because you didn't download his app and message him directly on it.

It's almost enough to make me book soul-less hotel again, and not have to pay a you-definitely-didn't-clean-it-£50-well before-I arrived-did-you fee.

They also wanted me to confirm my address and date of birth through a link they sent.

This bit isn't unusual, it's the same rules that mean hotels have to take your details when you check in.

This bit isn’t unusual, it’s the same rules that mean hotels have to take your details when you check in.

Yes - but.... As a host you can set Airbnb to only accept guests who have confirmed these details with them. So it's already part of the process of booking an Airbnb, but they want confirmation external of Airbnb. The link they send 'could' also be suspect.

Out of interest, was/is there any mention of the deposit requirements in the listing on ABnB?

To be fair there was a mention of the deposit at the bottom of the listing 6th paragraph.

I've no problem paying the deposit but Airbnb told me I should only pay any money through their website so I've asked the host to do this and they've refused.

Bear in mind this is my first experience of using Airbnb that's why I asked the stw massive for their opinion.

It’s almost enough to make me book soul-less hotel again, and not have to pay a you-definitely-didn’t-clean-it-£50-well before-I arrived-did-you fee

These days they're often cheaper.

Airbnb has become don't sort of strange hybrid of ludicrously expensive cottage rental and Aparthotel things without the real benefit of either.

We list on AirBnB and so far people have been great. AirBnB are pretty good as a booking system and you can set the parameters yourself. We’ve not had any problems and not felt the need to charge deposits. We can see our gites from the house and are on hand if anyone needs anything.

I think some of the fee options AirBnB allows can be a bit overkill. We tried them, but to be honest, last year the vast majority of people cleaned up after themselves so meticulously that we were a bit embarrassed to have charged a cleaning fee. So we no longer do that.  The one or two that don’t were still not terrible and we clean everything anyway.

The OP’s experience sounds suspicious. I hope they find you somewhere really nice.