Airbnb Host Finds Missing Xbox After Guests Stay, Claims Video Evidence Supports Innocence

Overview
I am an Airbnb host who owns, cleans, and manages a rental property. Among the belongings is an Xbox upstairs, along with a controller and 14 games. To maintain accountability, I perform a thorough inventory before and after every guest stay, including checking the Xbox and inspecting the contents of all game cases.

The situation
– Before a recent guest arrived, the Xbox and its accessories were present as part of my routine inventory.
– After the guest’s stay, the Xbox was missing. There are no photo or video records documenting the moment it disappeared, only my own observations.
– I asked the guest if they might have accidentally taken it; they deny this possibility.
– The guest provided a video showing them walking through the house prior to the stay, which allegedly confirms the Xbox was already missing.
– My understanding is that the Xbox was in place before the guest’s arrival, as I routinely dust and sanitize the area around it and verify the games are accounted for.
– The property’s camera footage shows only the guests, their accompanying guests, and me, with no other individuals appearing on site.

What I’ve done so far
– I considered the financial impact of the loss but wanted to explore all avenues before accepting responsibility.
– I requested additional video footage from the guest to verify the timeline, including a longer clip that would cover the entire path from the bedroom entrance to the Xbox room and back.
– The guest’s initial submission was a brief 10-second clip focusing on a limited portion of the house. I asked for the full video for better verification.

Next steps
– I filed a claim with AirCover, providing the available information and the discrepancies in the footage timeline.
– Airbnb subsequently processed a payout related to the claim.

Considerations for hosts
– Documenting inventory with timestamps and photos before and after each stay can help establish a baseline and support future disputes.
– Clear communication with guests about belongings and property rules can mitigate misunderstandings.
– If you rely on surveillance or security footage, ensure you comply with local laws and platform policies regarding privacy and recording.

If you’ve faced a similar situation, what steps proved most effective in resolving it?