At Peerspace, we understand that sometimes unexpected situations arise that may prevent you from fulfilling a booked reservation. However, maintaining a reliable marketplace is essential for ensuring trust and a seamless experience for both our hosts and guests. Fortunately, host cancellations on Peerspace are extremely rare, as our hosts are committed to honoring confirmed bookings and delivering high-quality experiences for every guest.
This article is designed to support you with strategies to avoid canceling a booking, outline the profound impact cancellations can have on guests, and detail the penalties associated with host-initiated cancellations.
The Impact of Cancellations on Guests
When a guest books your space, they are relying on it being fully accessible and presented exactly as advertised. Host cancellations can be incredibly distressing. A last-minute cancellation can leave guests scrambling to find alternative venues at a premium cost, modifying invitations, and navigating significant stress. We ask that hosts go above and beyond to honor these commitments and save the day for our guests.
Best Practices to Avoid Cancellations
We want to empower you to successfully fulfill every booking request. Consider implementing these best practices to minimize the risk of having to cancel:
Keep your calendar up to date: Regularly sync your calendar and block out any dates or times when your space is unavailable due to maintenance, personal use, or other commitments.
Set accurate listing expectations: Ensure your space description and photos accurately reflect the current condition of your property. Misrepresentation can lead to cancellations or disputes upon a guest's arrival.
Maintain open communication: Connect with your guests early in the booking process. Discuss their event needs, headcount, and planned activities to confirm your space is the right fit before the booking is finalized.
Practice proactive property management: Regularly inspect your space to prevent unexpected access issues, double-check your locks, and ensure you retain full control over who is accessing the property.
Provide clear, timely access instructions: Send detailed check-in instructions—such as digital keycodes, lockbox combinations, or specific building entry paths—well in advance of the booking start time (ideally 24 to 48 hours prior). Always double-check that smart locks are synced, codes are active, and physical keys are in place to eliminate last-minute entry panic.
Host-Initiated Cancellation Penalties
Because of the significant impact cancellations have on guests, Peerspace may assess penalties when a booking is cancelled by a host. Depending on the timing and circumstances of the cancellation, these penalties may include:
Financial Restitution: A full refund to the guest, guest reimbursement for losses associated with the booking, and an additional fee up to the guest’s cost of securing an alternative space.
Account Impact: Loss of Power Host status and/or loss of Instant Book functionality.
Listing Deactivation: Repeated or severe cancellations may result in the permanent deactivation of your listing from the platform.