A Guest Damaged Your Rental? Here’s How to Handle It Without the Drama.

Even the most courteous guests can occasionally leave behind unintentional damage. For landlords offering Cambridge property lettings, knowing how to handle these situations professionally isn’t just about protecting your asset — it’s about preserving reputation, guest goodwill, and future booking potential.

From flats to let Cambridge UK-wide to high-end short term let in Cambridge properties, having a structured system for damage claims ensures you’re prepared when the unexpected happens.

Common Damage in Cambridge Rentals — And Why It Matters

Damage in short-term lets is more common than most landlords admit. From stained bed linens after punting weekends to scorched countertops from hasty morning coffees, these incidents are often minor but add up over time.

In Cambridge, common guest-related damage includes:

• Stained or torn linens and towels

• Scuff marks or chipped paint on walls

• Broken furniture or appliances

• Lingering smoke smells despite no-smoking policies

• Lost keys or damaged locks

For properties to let Cambridge landlords invest in, these small issues can cause disproportionately large disruptions — especially if not addressed promptly and professionally.

How to Document and Report Damage Properly

Documentation is your strongest defence — and your best tool for resolution. Here’s how Cambridge letting agents and landlords should approach it:

1. Take dated photos immediately after checkout, before the next guests arrive.

2. Compare with your signed inventory checklist, which should include the property’s condition before guest arrival.

3. Log all damages with written notes: What happened, where, and how it affects the unit.

4. Report to the platform quickly: Most booking sites have time-sensitive windows for submitting claims.

For Cambridge property letting agency professionals, this process is routine — and it protects landlords from absorbing unnecessary costs.

Communicate with the Guest Respectfully and Firmly

Once the damage is identified, transparency and tone matter.

Reach out to the guest via platform messaging first. Avoid emotional language. State what was found, include photos, and explain the cost to replace or repair.

Offer a clear timeline: "We’ll be submitting a claim by [date] if we don’t hear from you."

Most guests respond reasonably. If they don’t, involve the platform (Airbnb, Booking.com) to escalate. Keep your message history polite and factual — both platforms review the tone of host communication before making decisions.

At Cambridge Stays, our team handles guest conversations directly, ensuring landlords stay removed from potentially tense exchanges.

How Cambridge Stays Handles Security Deposits and Mediation

Damage claims shouldn’t disrupt your day. Cambridge Stays takes full responsibility for documenting, submitting, and resolving claims — including:

• Pre-inspection photos and turnover reports

• Security deposit capture or partial deductions

• Platform mediation with supporting evidence

• Clear communication with guests and support teams

Whether you manage a house to let in Cambridge or multiple flats to let Cambridge-wide, we handle the messy parts while you focus on revenue.

Protect Your Property Without Stress

Every property — even the best-maintained — faces occasional wear and tear. But with a system in place, those moments become manageable instead of mission-critical.

Cambridge Stays ensures that every damage claim is processed quickly, respectfully, and with your bottom line in mind.

Ready to let without the headache? Let us manage the guest conversations, the documentation, and the resolution — so you can keep offering your short let Cambridge UK property with confidence.