Where to find the report option and what happens next

You report a host through your Airbnb account, in the resolution center or directly from the listing page. The fastest route is to open your booking confirmation email, click the link to your reservation, scroll to the bottom, and select "Report this listing" or "Contact host about an issue." Airbnb will ask you to describe what happened — be specific about dates, what occurred, and which house rules or policies were broken.

Once you submit a report, Airbnb's trust and safety team reviews it within 24 to 72 hours. They may contact you for more details, contact the host for their account of events, or both. Airbnb does not always tell you the outcome — they may remove the listing, suspend the host, or take no action if they find the report does not violate their policies. If the issue involves safety or a crime, contact local police first; Airbnb will cooperate with law enforcement but cannot investigate criminal matters themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • Reports go through Airbnb's resolution center or directly from the listing page, and the team reviews them within one to three days.
  • Describe exactly what happened, when it happened, and which house rules or policies the host violated — vague complaints are harder to act on.
  • If the issue involves safety, property damage, or a crime, report to local police or emergency services before or alongside reporting to Airbnb.
  • Airbnb may remove the listing, suspend the host, issue a warning, or take no action depending on what they find during their review.
  • You can also request a refund through the resolution center if the host's actions caused you financial loss or prevented you from using the property.

How to report through the resolution center

The resolution center is the official channel for disputes about your stay. Log into your Airbnb account, go to "Trips," find the reservation you want to report, and click "Resolution Center." From there, select "Report this host" or "I have an issue with my stay." You will see options for different types of problems: cleanliness, safety, house rules violations, host behavior, or property damage.

Choose the category that fits what happened. Airbnb uses these categories to route your report to the right team — a cleanliness complaint goes to one group, a safety concern to another. After you pick a category, write a detailed description. Include the dates of your stay, what you observed or experienced, photos or videos if you have them, and any messages between you and the host that show the problem. The more specific you are, the more weight your report carries.

Submit your report and note the case number Airbnb gives you. You can check the status of your report by returning to the resolution center. Airbnb will send you updates by email as they investigate.

Reporting directly from the listing page

If you want to report a listing before you book or after you have already left, you can report from the listing page itself. Find the listing on Airbnb, scroll to the bottom, and look for a link that says "Report this listing" or a three-dot menu icon. Click it and select the reason you are reporting — usually "Safety concern," "Misleading information," "Discrimination," or "House rules violation."

This route is useful if the host's profile or photos are misleading, if you saw something unsafe about the property before booking, or if you want to flag a listing for other travelers to see. Airbnb reviews these reports separately from guest-to-host disputes, and they may remove or edit the listing if they find violations.

What types of issues Airbnb will investigate

Airbnb takes action on reports involving safety hazards, discrimination, host behavior that violates their policies, cleanliness that falls far below the listing description, and damage to your belongings. Safety hazards include broken locks, missing smoke detectors, unsafe stairs, or anything that could cause injury. Discrimination means the host refused to host you or treated you differently based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

Host behavior violations include threats, harassment, unwanted contact after checkout, or entering your space without permission. Cleanliness issues must be significant — a few dust bunnies will not trigger action, but mold, pest infestations, or filthy surfaces will. If the host damaged your property or belongings during your stay, you can report that too, though you may need to file a damage claim separately to get reimbursed.

Airbnb is less likely to act on complaints about minor inconveniences, subjective preferences, or issues the host resolved during your stay. If the host fixed a problem after you reported it to them, mention that in your report but note that it does not erase the original violation.

When to contact police instead of or in addition to Airbnb

If the issue involves a crime, when ready safety danger, or violence, call emergency services or local police first. Do not wait for Airbnb to investigate. Examples include theft, assault, sexual harassment, trespassing, or threats. After you contact police, you can still report to Airbnb — in fact, you should, because Airbnb cooperates with law enforcement and a police report strengthens your case.

If the host entered your space without permission, stole from you, or harassed you, get a police report number and include it in your Airbnb report. If you were injured due to an unsafe condition, take photos of the hazard and seek medical attention, then report both to Airbnb and to police if the injury was serious. Airbnb's investigation is separate from a criminal investigation, and both can happen at the same time.

How to request a refund after reporting

If the host's actions caused you to lose money — because you could not use the property, had to book another place, or suffered damage — you can request a refund through the resolution center. Open your reservation, go to the resolution center, and select "I would like a refund." Explain why you are requesting one and link it to your report if you have already filed one.

Airbnb will review your refund request alongside your report. They may refund you the full booking cost, a partial refund, or deny the request depending on what they find. If the host's actions were severe enough to warrant suspension or removal, Airbnb is more likely to refund you. If they find the issue was minor or the host's account of events contradicts yours, they may offer a smaller refund or none at all.

Keep all messages, photos, and receipts related to your stay. If you had to book a hotel or another Airbnb because the first one was unusable, save those receipts too — they support your refund request.

What happens to the host after you report

Airbnb's response depends on the severity of the violation and the host's history. A first report of a minor issue might result in a warning or a request that the host fix the problem. Multiple reports or a serious violation can lead to suspension — the host's account is frozen and they cannot accept new bookings, but the account is not permanently deleted. Repeated violations or severe safety issues result in permanent removal from the platform.

The host is not told who reported them, but they will see that a report was filed if Airbnb contacts them to investigate. Airbnb does not share the details of your report with the host unless you choose to message them directly through the resolution center. If you do message the host, they will see your name and what you wrote.

Hosts can also appeal Airbnb's decision if they believe the report was false or unfair. Airbnb will review the appeal, but the original decision usually stands unless new evidence emerges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the host see my name when I report them?

Not automatically. Airbnb does not share your identity with the host unless you message them directly through the resolution center. If you only file a report without messaging, the host knows a report was filed but not who filed it. If you want to stay anonymous, do not send messages through the resolution center — file the report only.

What if the host retaliates after I report them?

Retaliation — such as leaving a negative review, threatening you, or contacting you repeatedly — is against Airbnb's policies. If the host retaliates, report that too. Airbnb takes retaliation seriously and may suspend or remove the host for it. Document any retaliatory messages and include them in your new report.

How long does Airbnb take to investigate a report?

Airbnb reviews reports within 24 to 72 hours, but a full investigation can take longer. You may not hear back for one to two weeks. If your report involves safety or a crime, Airbnb prioritizes it. You can check the status of your report in the resolution center at any time.

Can I report a host for a bad review or personality clash?

No. Airbnb does not act on reports based on personal disagreements, bad reviews, or differences in expectations. Reports must involve a violation of Airbnb's policies — safety, discrimination, cleanliness that contradicts the listing, or host behavior that breaks house rules. If you straightforward did not like the host or the stay, that is not reportable.

What if Airbnb does not take action after I report?

Airbnb may find that the report does not violate their policies, or they may find the host's account of events more credible than yours. If you disagree with their decision, you can appeal through the resolution center, but Airbnb rarely reverses a decision without new evidence. If the issue involves a crime or safety hazard, contact local authorities — they can investigate independently of Airbnb.