Security Deposit Screen

The Security Deposit Screen is designed to hold funds on the guest's credit card throughout their stay, validate the guest's payment method, and offer a damage waiver option. This screen ensures that you have financial protection against potential damages and that the guest's credit card is legitimate and has sufficient funds.

Key Features of the Security Deposit Screen

1. Payment Validation:

   • Validates the guest's credit card at the time of guest portal completion by pre-authorizing a symbolic amount (default is $2). This ensures that the card is legitimate and has sufficient funds.

2. Security Deposit:

   • Holds a specified amount on the guest's credit card throughout their stay. The hold is renewed every 5-7 days until (by default) 2 days after checkout, providing financial protection against potential damages.

3. Damage Waiver:

   • Offers guests a non-refundable payment option instead of a larger security deposit. This option covers accidental damages up to a specified amount and generates ancillary revenue.

4. Customizable Amounts:

   • Property managers can set the security deposit amount based on risk color, or by listing. You can choose whether a security deposit is required on the level of: global, booking source, listing, reservation. This flexibility allows you to tailor the deposit requirements to your specific needs.

5. Deposit Actions:

   • Provides options to start, cancel, refund, or claim a security deposit. These actions give you control over the charging process and ensure that you can manage deposits efficiently.

Setting Up the Security Deposit Screen

Customizing the Security Deposit Screen in Autohost is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Log into Your Autohost Account:

   • Navigate to Guest Portal > Add-ons.

2. Enable Security Deposits:

   • Toggle on the Security Deposits option.
     
     

3. Set the Security Deposit Amount:

   • Go to Guest Portal > Screens > Security Deposit.
     
     
     
     
   • Choose the correct currency and set the amount per risk color. You can also set the security deposit amount at the listing level.

   • The Airbnb Exclusion

     Although Airbnb does allow software-connected Hosts to charge a security deposit outside the platform, you have the option to disable the Security Deposit screen for all Airbnb reservations. For more info on Abiding by Airbnb's Off-Platform Policy, read this article. 

4. Payment Validation:

   • Payment validation is enabled by default and for all reservations when the feature is turned on in the Guest Portal flow. The default pre-authorization amount is $2, which is used to validate the guest's credit card without charging it.
     
     

5. Enable Damage Waivers:

   • Toggle on the Damage Waivers option and set the waiver amount. This amount should be smaller than the security deposit and cover accidental damages up to a specified limit.
     
     

6. Save the Configuration:

Click "Save" to finalize your settings.