What percentage of Airbnb hosts collect a security deposit?

According to a Superhog/Know Your Guest survey of 165 hosts, only 23% collect a damage deposit. The remaining 77% rely on platform protection (AirCover, Vrbo damage protection) or have no damage protection at all.

Do security deposits reduce bookings on Airbnb?

Yes. According to Nowistay, listings without security deposits receive up to 30% more bookings than comparable listings that require one. Enso Connect data shows switching from deposits to damage waivers increases bookings by 6-10%.

What is a damage waiver and do guests prefer it?

A damage waiver is a non-refundable fee (typically $30-$100) that covers minor damage up to a set limit, replacing a traditional refundable security deposit. According to Enso Connect, 83% of guests prefer properties with a damage waiver, and 68% choose the waiver when offered both options.

How much time does deposit reconciliation take?

According to Guesty, property managers spend 12-16 hours monthly on deposit reconciliation for every 100 checkouts. This administrative burden is one reason operators are shifting toward damage waivers and platform-based protection.

Industry Data

Airbnb Security Deposit Statistics (2026)

What percentage of hosts collect deposits, why guests prefer damage waivers, and how deposit requirements affect booking conversion rates.

5 sources verified

Primary data only

Updated May 2026

77%

of hosts don't collect any damage deposit

Superhog, 165 hosts

83%

of guests prefer properties with a damage waiver

Enso Connect, 2024

30%

more bookings without a security deposit

Nowistay, 2024

Deposit Adoption Rates

77% of hosts don't collect a damage deposit from guests. 57% don't know what a damage waiver is.

According to Superhog / Know Your Guest, survey of 165 hosts (in partnership with For The Host and Short-Term Rental Advisor).

31.6% of hosts had no short-term rental insurance at all, relying solely on platform protection or nothing.

According to Lodgify, 170+ hosts surveyed.

Guest Preferences

83% of guests prefer properties with a damage waiver over traditional security deposits.

According to Enso Connect, 2024.

When offered a choice between a damage waiver and a security deposit, 68% of Airbnb guests choose the waiver.

According to Enso Connect, 2024.

67% of tech-enabled property managers generate revenue from damage waivers. 22% report significant gains.

According to Enso Connect, survey of tech-enabled PMs.

Booking Impact

Listings without security deposits receive up to 30% more bookings than comparable listings that require one.

According to Nowistay, 2024.

Listings that switched from security deposits to damage waivers saw a 6-10% increase in bookings.

According to Enso Connect, 2024.

Administrative Cost

For every 100 checkouts, property managers spend 12-16 hours monthly on deposit reconciliation.

According to Guesty, December 2025.

Sources

Superhog / Know Your Guest. Host Survey. 165 hosts. 2023.https://truvi.com/blog/what-is-know-your-guest/

Enso Connect. Protect Vacation Rentals and Earn with Damage Waivers. 2024.https://ensoconnect.com/resources/protect-vacation-rentals-and-earn-with-damage-waivers

Nowistay. Security Deposit: Why It's a Bad Idea. 2024.https://www.nowistay.com/ressources/security-deposit-vacation-rental-why-bad-idea

Lodgify. Unauthorized Parties Survey. 170+ hosts. 2023.https://www.lodgify.com/blog/unauthorized-parties-survey/

Guesty. Security Deposit or Insurance? December 2025.https://www.guesty.com/blog/security-deposit-or-insurance/

Airbnb Security Deposit Statistics (2026)

Deposit Adoption Rates

Guest Preferences

Booking Impact

Administrative Cost

Sources

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