Staying in an Airbnb or VRBO can be a great way to save money or get extra space when you travel, but there’s been a real breakdown in trust lately between guests and short-term rental platforms. Travelers today need to be a lot more careful than they used to.
Always Follow the “Car Rental Rule” and Film Your Rental
When you rent a car, you walk around it and take pictures or video before you drive off the lot. You should do the same thing when you check into a short-term rental.
“When you get to the rental property you’re staying in, I want you to shoot video with your phone,” money expert Clark Howard says. “Anything’s broken — take an up-close photo of it. It will be time-stamped on your phone.”
Unfortunately, what’s been happening in the car rental world — where renters get blamed for pre-existing damage — is now happening with Airbnbs and VRBOs. Some travelers have reported being billed for damage or missing items after their stay. If you didn’t document the property when you arrived, you’ll have a hard time disputing those charges later.
“When you leave, they then bill you for the damaged item,” Clark says. “You can’t do anything about when they try to bill you for a missing item because you didn’t know it was there — except if you shot the video of the property.”
A quick 30-second video walkthrough can protect you from false claims, and it also protects the host in case a future guest causes damage. It’s good for both sides.
The Trust Problem With Airbnb and VRBO
A recent New York Times story reported that a family discovered a hidden camera in a bathroom at their Airbnb, which is an obvious violation of the platform’s rules. Shockingly, the family didn’t receive an immediate refund, and the property owner wasn’t banned until after the news story came out.
“You’d think Airbnb’s policies are so clear on this,” Clark says, “that the people would have gotten a refund and that the unit owner would have been kicked out. Neither happened.”
Part of the problem, Clark explains, is that these platforms rely heavily on the property owners for revenue, not the guests. So when a complaint is filed, the system often favors hosts, and sometimes AI, not humans, are reviewing those claims.
How To Stay Safe Without Giving Up on Rentals
Clark doesn’t say to avoid Airbnb or VRBO altogether, but he does say to be smart about how you book and what protections you give yourself.
- Document the property immediately upon arrival with photos or video.
- Avoid tight cancellation policies. “Never book a non-refundable hotel room,” Clark says, and the same applies to vacation rentals. Life happens, and you want flexibility.
- Stick to listings with plenty of verified reviews.
- Use payment methods that offer dispute protection (like a credit card).
- Report safety or cleanliness issues immediately through the platform, and document everything.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb and VRBO can still be great tools for travelers, especially when you need space for a family or want to save money on longer stays. But you’ve got to approach them with eyes open.
“The more careful you are,” Clark says, “the better your experience will be.”
Protect yourself, document everything, and book with flexibility so you can enjoy your trip without unwanted surprises later.
