Airbnb Host Listing Suspension or Paused? Here's What to Do

Dealing with a suspended or paused Airbnb listing can be a real headache, often caused by overlooked rule violations. 

Whether it's a simple issue or something trickier, finding out why it happened and getting things back to normal can be confusing. The key is to stay calm and tackle it methodically. 

Here’s a look at what you need to know. 

Why Did My Airbnb Listing Get Suspended

Airbnb routinely reviews host accounts to ensure listings meet their standards. If your listing falls short in a few areas, you might get a temporary "time-out." 

This pause simply means you won't be able to accept new bookings until issues are resolved. Here’s what could trigger a pause: 

• Maintaining low overall ratings

• Slow response time

• Few accepted reservations or too many cancellations

The good news is that Airbnb will let you know why your account was suspended and what steps to take to reactivate it. 

If you get a warning, it’s crucial to act quickly. Failing to make the necessary changes could lead to more severe consequences, like a longer suspension or even being removed from Airbnb entirely.

The Dangers of Airbnb Bans

Most of the time, it's easy to see why an Airbnb account gets banned, but sometimes things can be tricky. To keep your account safe, look out for these red flags:

• Multiple suspensions or serious complaints

• Landing in the bottom 1% of Airbnb review ratings

• Violating Airbnb’s terms and conditions repeatedly

Don’t stress if you get banned! Airbnb gives you two months to honor bookings for guests who’ve already booked. Any reservations beyond that timeframe will be cancelled by Airbnb, offering those guests alternative listings.

Plus, suspensions come in different levels. Minor issues might only lead to a short, 5-day suspension. Your existing bookings are safe during this time, giving you a chance to sort things out and get back on track.

What To Do When Your Airbnb Listing Is Suspended

Focus on existing reservations

Current bookings can proceed as planned, so take this opportunity to showcase the high-quality experience offered and prove the listing’s value.

Keep in touch with guests, make sure their stay is smooth and fix any problems quickly. Happy guests will help boost your reputation while you work through the suspension.

Analyze guest reviews

Use this downtime to dig into past guest reviews. Look for recurring problems or areas where your hospitality or listing details might need a tweak. 

Making these improvements can help strengthen your case if you decide to appeal the suspension.

Appeal the decision (if necessary)

Gather your listing name, reservation codes and a solid reason for the appeal. Submit everything via the Appeals Form on your Airbnb account. 

Appeals are more successful if the issue involves review policy violations rather than single complaints or unfair reviews.

Pro Tips To Navigate Through Airbnb Host Suspension

If you find yourself suspended from Airbnb, here’s how to navigate the situation and get back on track:

1. Diversify your listings: Use a reliable channel manager or an all-in-one vacation rental software like Hostaway to list your property across multiple platforms. This keeps your bookings flowing even when one channel hits a snag.

2. Review the suspension notice: Check the suspension notice to see exactly why you’re suspended and what to do next.

3. Address the issues: Fix any policy violations by updating your listing, addressing guest complaints and making sure you follow local laws and regulations.

4. Stay persistent: Keep reaching out to Airbnb through various channels — email, social media and chat. Persistence pays off.

5. Consider a fresh start: Sometimes, creating a new account is the quickest route back. Just make sure your new listing looks distinct from the old.

6. Document everything: Keep a record of all interactions and compliance with Airbnb’s policies to support future appeals or inquiries.

7. Craft a compelling appeal: Be clear, professional and concise when communicating with Airbnb. Highlight the steps you’ve taken to improve and provide any relevant evidence.

8. Take preventive measures: Avoid future issues by staying on top of Airbnb’s policies and guidelines.

Turning Setbacks Around

Suspensions are just a hiccup and  not the end of your hosting journey. With the right approach, you can navigate through either by improving your Airbnb listing or branching out to other platforms.

Hosting is about creating great experiences and every challenge is an opportunity to do just that.

FAQs

1. What should I do if my Airbnb listing is suspended?

Check the suspension notice to see why it happened. Fix the issues mentioned, like policy violations or guest complaints and consider using the Appeals Form to make your case. Also, think about listing on other platforms to keep the bookings rolling.

2. How long will my Airbnb suspension last?

It depends on the issue. Minor problems might lead to a short, 5-day suspension, while bigger issues could mean a longer pause or even a permanent ban. During a short suspension, your existing bookings are still safe.

3. What should I do if I receive a low review that I believe is unfair?

Respond professionally to the review and address any concerns raised. Use the feedback to improve your listing and guest experience. However, unfair reviews alone typically won’t be enough to get a suspension reversed.

4. Can I still honor bookings if my account is suspended?

Yes, you can keep existing reservations for guests arriving within two months of the suspension notice. Any new bookings will be cancelled and Airbnb will find alternative options for those guests.

5. What usually causes Airbnb bans?

Bans often come from repeated policy violations, bad review ratings, multiple suspensions or serious complaints. Fixing these issues and following Airbnb’s guidelines can help you avoid getting banned.