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Security (damage) deposit

Hello

New to Bookings.com as a host. I researched a bit since Feb 2019 and was under the impression that B.com/Pulse had options available to ask for and return the security deposit via bank transfer and/or paypal. Today we were about to activate our property profile and learned that in fact the only option is via credit card? I see a lot of discussions on the Partner Forum but they also seem outdated (8 + months ago). Can someone confirm that it is a new detail to only secure the deposit via credit card? It seems counter productive to limit Bookings.com property owners to use a merchant account that likely is % based. What do other home owners do? What works best for you? Side note: We are a code access property and not on location to take cash, run a credit card etc. Any deposits would ideally be returned the next day after the cleaner does a walk through and confirms all is in good standing ie no damage. Thank you for your input.


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jaybeegee 4 years ago

Hello! You also have the option to collect the deposit in cash too (see screenshot - use the drop down for more options)

I was not aware of the paypal option and will try it next time!

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Eric 4 years ago

thank you for your thoughts @jaybeegee. As stated, we are not on site so cash is not feasible for the deposit portion. I confirmed with 2 b.com reps by phone while researching it that bank transfers and paypal were both options, only to find out yesterday when activating the listing, that is not the case.

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Lisa Caine 4 years ago

Hello Eric

I'm new to B.com this month and have just discovered a helpful answer that suits my circumstances regarding Security Deposits. I expect you may have worked it out by now!

I'm motivated to post this answer as my second guest this week (stayed 7 days), ignored my policy of 'no smoking' - needs fumigation, left ash all over balcony, rearranged my entire lounge room, removed all bed linen and took off the mattress protectors, used/ emptied all and every cleaning/ clothes washing/ bathroom products, ignored 'fire hazard' alert to clear dryer filter after every cycle (it was bulging with lint) and they stole my bathroom towels! 

And in case you're wondering, No, I didn't have a Security Deposit set up as the only advice I was able to find was to 'take cash on arrival' - unable to do this in my case and not an acceptable client experience, in my view. 

Here's the Recommended Approach... A very helpful Partner support guy ('John') today advised me to:

a) write a policy advising that before check in/ key access confirmation, that a security deposit for $x is required. He suggested, in my case, to have it paid into a bank account as I am remote from the property so unable to receive payment upon check in.

b) set up an auto-responder (schedule to send upon booking confirmation) reminder about the Security Deposit policy and provide payment advice details for receipt 'prior to check in'

c) set up another auto-responder (schedule upon receipt of Security Deposit payment) advising payment received and will be refunded on date X if room left in condition upon arrival and send through the check in/ key collection details

d) set up another auto-responder (schedule upon check out/ 24hr after) advising that either all well and deposit refunded or not all well and deposit kept as compensation for damages/ theft, etc

This is the answer I was looking for but only one of the B.com team advised this approach.  

I hope this helps others as it's taken me about 10days to work it out and after (what could have been compensatible) bitter 'Guest Misconduct' experience.  Regards, Lisa

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Kerrie hancock 4 years ago

Just read these so a little outdated but thought I should share my experience.

We charge $500 AUD and send an email to the guest straight after they book to explain the refundable bond required 1 month before arrival and we send a reminder if not paid and explain that we cannot guarantee the booking until this amount is received. We have had no problems asking for this bond and if your not charging one you are mad. Charging a bond is what most people expect and it will make them more aware of being responsible in your accommodation, collecting cash on arrival is not an option for us as we live a 3.5 hour flight away...So we have just come up with our first problem.....We received a bond transfer via paypal in Dec 2019 from the UK and we refunded the same amount we received in Feb 2020 so within this time the conversion rate dropped and our guest received 44 pounds less than he paid. If I give him back his 44 pounds I will be out of pocket approx $79.  
The conversion rate is something I cannot control of course. But understand the guests frustration. First time we have come across this problem.

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Richard Madden 1 year ago

Hi Kerrie, I'm interested in how you set this up as only option booking.com give is 'You collect the damage deposit by: Cash You collect this from your guests: Upon arrival You return the damage deposit by: Cash You return this to your guests: The day they check-out'. 

I live/work overseas can only use this method when I return from time off, therefore I block out the other dates even though the guest house is available. 

I've been with booking.com since 2020 and at first had no damage deposit set up, my first 3 guests were fantastic, however the 4th trashed the place (family week stay). Afterwards set up taking cash damage deposits and had no issues since, but can only provide this service when I'm around, I also managed to get great reviews but still not able to set up receiving deposit payments into my bank account 7 days prior to arrival and return back into their bank account after check out.

Very interested how you got on with booking.com as I've had no success by talking with their reps suggesting other options. Booking.com Etranet policy for damage deposits only allows cash option on arrival and returned on check out.

 

 

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Pcrowley 2 years ago

The answer here is to take the bond in the guests currency.