Where to File a Report About a Host

You report a host through Airbnb's Resolution Center, which is built into your account. Go to your Airbnb inbox, find the reservation with the host you want to report, and look for a "Report" or "Get Help" button. This opens a form where you describe what happened. Airbnb staff, not the host, sees this report first.

The Resolution Center is the official channel because it keeps a record tied to your booking. If you message the host directly about a problem, Airbnb has less documentation to work with if you later need to escalate. Start in the Resolution Center even if you also want to contact the host.

If you cannot find the report button in your reservation, you can also contact Airbnb support through the Help Center. Click "Contact Us" at the bottom of any Airbnb page, then select the issue category that matches your situation—safety, cleanliness, host behavior, or property damage.

Key Takeaways

  • File your report in the Resolution Center within your Airbnb account, where Airbnb staff can see it and create a record tied to your booking.
  • Describe exactly what happened—include dates, times, photos, and the specific house rules or listing description the host violated.
  • Safety issues (threats, discrimination, property damage by the host) are handled faster than service complaints and may result in host suspension.
  • Airbnb typically responds within 24 to 72 hours, though complex cases take longer.
  • Keep messages with the host and photos as evidence; do not delete them before filing your report.

What to Include in Your Report

Be specific about what went wrong. Instead of "the host was rude," write "the host sent me a message on [date] saying [exact words]" or "the host refused to fix the broken lock after I reported it on [date]." Airbnb staff need details to investigate.

Include dates and times. If the Wi-Fi did not work, say "the Wi-Fi was down from Friday evening through Sunday morning." If the host showed up unannounced, write the exact date and time. Attach photos or screenshots of messages, damage, or conditions that prove your point.

Reference the listing description or house rules the host broke. For example: "The listing said the kitchen would be fully stocked, but there were no dishes, pots, or utensils" or "The house rules stated no smoking, but I found cigarette butts in the bedroom." This shows Airbnb that the host did not deliver what was promised.

Different Types of Reports and How They Are Handled

Safety and discrimination reports move to the front of the queue. If a host threatened you, discriminated against you based on race, gender, religion, or other protected status, or if you felt unsafe, say so clearly in your report. Airbnb has a zero-tolerance policy for these issues and may suspend the host's account while investigating.

Cleanliness and maintenance complaints take longer because Airbnb often asks for photos and may request that you give the host a chance to fix the problem. If the shower was dirty or the bed had stains, take clear photos before you clean anything. Airbnb will ask the host to respond to your complaint.

Host behavior issues—such as the host being rude, invading your privacy, or breaking house rules—require documentation. Save all messages. If the host called or spoke to you in person, write down what was said, when, and any witnesses. Airbnb weighs the host's version against yours, so a clear record helps.

Property damage caused by the host (not by you) should be reported with photos and an explanation of how it happened. If the host broke something or caused damage, describe it in detail and include images from multiple angles.

What Happens After You File a Report

Airbnb sends you a confirmation that your report was received. Within 24 to 72 hours, a staff member reviews it and may contact you for more information. They will also contact the host to hear their side of the story. This back-and-forth can take a week or more if the case is complex.

Depending on what you reported, Airbnb may offer you a refund, a credit toward a future stay, or both. For safety violations or discrimination, the host may be suspended or permanently removed from the platform. For cleanliness or minor service issues, Airbnb might ask the host to improve and give them a warning.

You will receive an email with the outcome. If you disagree with the decision, you can respond to that email and ask for a review, though Airbnb's decision is usually final.

Reporting a Host for Specific Safety Concerns

If you are in when ready danger, call local police first. Do not wait for Airbnb to respond. Once you are safe, file a report with Airbnb and mention that you contacted police—include the police report number if you have it.

For non-emergency safety issues—such as a broken lock, missing smoke detector, or unsafe stairs—report it in the Resolution Center and mark it as a safety concern. Take photos of the hazard. Airbnb may ask you to contact the host first to give them a chance to fix it, but if the problem is serious, Airbnb can intervene directly.

If a host discriminated against you or made you feel unwelcome because of your identity, report this as a discrimination issue. Airbnb takes these reports very seriously and investigates them separately from other complaints. You do not need to prove discrimination in a legal sense—describe what happened and how it made you feel unsafe or unwelcome.

When to Contact Airbnb Support Instead of Using Resolution Center

Use the Resolution Center for issues tied to a specific reservation. If your problem happened during a stay you booked, that is the right place. But if you want to report a host's profile, listing photos, or behavior outside of a reservation, contact Airbnb support directly through the Help Center.

You should also contact support if you cannot access the Resolution Center, if your report was not resolved to your satisfaction, or if you need to follow up on a case. Explain that you already filed a report and provide the case number if you have it.

For ongoing harassment from a host after your stay ended—such as unwanted messages or threats—report it as soon as it happens. Take screenshots of all messages and include them in your report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the host see my report before Airbnb investigates?

No. Your report goes to Airbnb staff first. The host does not see your complaint until Airbnb contacts them to ask for their version of events. At that point, they learn that someone reported them, but they do not see your name or the exact details unless Airbnb decides to share them as part of the investigation.

What if the host retaliates after I report them?

Retaliation—such as a negative review, threats, or messages blaming you for the report—is against Airbnb's policies. Report any retaliation when ready in the Resolution Center or through support. Include screenshots of messages or reviews. Airbnb takes retaliation seriously and may suspend the host for it.

Will I get a refund if I report the host?

It depends on what you reported and what Airbnb finds. If the host violated the listing description or house rules significantly, you may receive a partial or full refund. For safety issues, Airbnb is more likely to refund you. For minor complaints, you might receive a credit instead. Airbnb decides based on the evidence.

How long does it take Airbnb to respond to a report?

Most reports get an initial response within 24 to 72 hours. straightforward cases may be resolved in a few days. Complex cases—especially those involving discrimination or safety—can take one to two weeks. You will receive email updates as your case progresses.

Can I report a host anonymously?

Your report is confidential, but Airbnb will know it came from you because it is tied to your account and reservation. You cannot file a completely anonymous report through Airbnb's system. However, you do not need to include your name or personal details in the description of what happened.