Landlord Advice
What happens if an Airbnb guest throws a party or causes damage?
Quick answer
Every Renzo guest is vetted with ID checks and a damage deposit or waiver before getting the keys, and any damage is charged straight away. Most of our guests are contractors and relocating families on longer stays, not party groups. If a guest breaks the rules, they leave and they're charged, with no court process.
Written by Guy, Director at Renzo · Published · Last updated · 5 min read
Is this a real risk?
It's the number one worry we hear, and I get it. Everyone's seen a news story about a house trashed by a party. But those stories usually involve unmanaged listings with no vetting, cheap weekend pricing and nobody checking who's booked. That's not how a professionally run short let works.
Who actually books your property?
At Renzo we deliberately target longer bookings from contractors and relocating families. These are people who need a quiet base for work or while they move house. They want to sleep, cook and get up early. A contractor who's booked for six weeks has every reason to look after the place.
We don't chase Saturday night party groups. Honestly, the money isn't worth the risk to your property or your neighbours.
How are guests vetted?
Every guest is vetted with ID checks and a damage deposit or waiver before they get the keys. If something about a booking doesn't feel right, we don't accept it. Think of it like a bouncer on the door, except the door is your front door.
What happens if damage does happen?
Things do get broken occasionally. A mug, a lamp, sometimes something bigger. The difference with a short let is that damage is charged straight away, through the deposit, waiver or platform protection. There's no waiting until the end of a tenancy, no deposit dispute months later, and no lengthy court process.
Compare that with a long let, where you might only discover damage when the tenant leaves, then have to argue it through a deposit scheme. Our Airbnb vs buy to let comparison goes into that in more detail.
What if a guest breaks the rules?
There's no tenancy, so guests don't have tenant rights. If someone breaks the house rules, for example by having a party, they leave and they're charged. That's a big contrast with trying to remove a tenant now that Section 21 has gone.
How will I know the property is OK?
Your property is checked and cleaned at least every two weeks, and we do a photo audit after every clean. That means you can see its condition at any time, not just once a year at an inspection. Small issues get spotted and fixed early, before they turn into big ones.
Who shouldn't do short lets?
If even a chipped mug would keep you awake, short lets will feel stressful, because there are more stays and some normal wear. But if your fear is serious damage or parties, the protections above deal with that far better than most people expect. For the basics, read what short let management is.
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FAQs
Do you accept party bookings?
No. Renzo targets longer bookings from contractors and relocating families, not party groups.
How are guests checked?
Every guest goes through ID checks and pays a damage deposit or takes a damage waiver before getting the keys.
Who pays for damage?
The guest. Damage is charged straight away through the deposit, waiver or platform protection.
Can I see the property's condition?
Yes. We do a photo audit after every clean, and the property is cleaned and checked at least every two weeks.