Set Up and Enable Damaged Deposits in Booking.com and Hospitable/BetterSTR

This guide explains how to configure Damaged Deposits so they are enabled in Booking.com and then set up in Hospitable/BetterSTR, either for individual properties or as a default across all properties. The goal is to make sure guests are informed of the deposit requirement, and that the correct amount and collection timing are applied consistently.

1. Confirm Damaged Deposits are enabled in Booking.com

• Log in to your Booking.com account.
• Navigate to Properties.
• Open Property Policies.
• Scroll to the Damaged Deposit section.
• Verify that a deposit amount has been set for collection.
• Confirm the listing displays the damaged deposit declaration to guests.

2. Verify the deposit appears on the Booking.com listing

• Review your Booking.com listing after saving the policy.
• Confirm the guest-facing declaration shows that a Damaged Deposit is collected.
• Make sure the amount displayed matches the amount you intend to charge.
• If the amount is missing or incorrect, return to Property Policies and update it.

3. Set up Damaged Deposits in Hospitable/BetterSTR for a property

• Log in to Hospitable/BetterSTR.
• Go to Properties and select the property you want to configure.
• Click Pricing.
• Select Security Deposits.
• Choose Host Kills Exit Manually.
• Enter the Damaged Deposit amount (for example, 400, or your chosen amount).
• Click Save.
• Repeat this process for each property that needs a deposit configured.

4. Confirm the guest-facing deposit message on Airbnb

• After saving the deposit settings, open the property on Airbnb.
• Select a few dates and click Reserve.
• Confirm the guest sees a notice that the property requires a Damaged Deposit or Security Deposit.
• Verify the message indicates the deposit is collected by you as the host.

5. Enable guest verification and deposit collection for a specific property

• In Hospitable/BetterSTR, select the property you want to update.
• On the right-hand side, locate Verification.
• Choose the verification methods you want to require: ID verification, Terms and Conditions acceptance.
• Edit the Terms and Conditions text if needed, then enter the updated terms.
• Enable the option to require Damaged Deposits.
• Select the currency and enter the deposit amount.
• Click Save to apply the settings to that property.

6. Configure guest verification defaults for all properties

• Go to Property Defaults.
• Open Guest Verification.
• Turn on Enable Guest Verification.
• Select what you want to verify: Identity, Terms and Conditions, Security Deposit.
• Enter the deposit amount and choose the currency.
• Select when the security deposit should be collected from the guest.
• Save the defaults to apply them across all properties.

7. Set the deposit collection timing

• In the Security Deposit settings, choose the collection timing.
• Use the recommended timing of 1–2 days before guest arrival.
• Confirm the timing works with your operational process and guest communication.
• Save the settings after selecting the timing.

8. Decide between property-level and global setup

• If you want the same deposit rules for all listings, use Property Defaults.
• If you need different rules per listing, configure each property individually.
• Review each property after setup to ensure the correct deposit amount, currency, and verification settings are applied.