What to do when a Airbnb account holder dies
Airbnb, Inc. has a formal process for transferring accounts after an account holder dies
Airbnb Support (case-by-case estate handling)
Phone1-844-234-2500
Timeline
Active reservations require immediate attention (guests may be arriving within hours). Pending payouts are typically released within a few business days. Listing transfer or account closure timeline depends on Airbnb support case-by-case. No published processing timeline for estate claims.
WebsiteFile estate claim→
Verified Apr 2026
Airbnb has no published bereavement or deceased user policy in its terms of service. The terms do not address account transfer, inheritance, or death. In practice, Airbnb handles deceased account situations case-by-case through customer support. Host accounts present urgent concerns: active reservations must be managed (guests arriving, check-ins, cleanings), pending payouts must be collected, and listings must be deactivated or transferred. Airbnb support can assist with cancelling upcoming reservations and releasing pending payouts to the estate.
How to request a transfer
Follow these steps to initiate a transfer of Airbnb accounts after the account holder's death:
1
FOR HOST ACCOUNTS: Take immediate action. Active reservations mean guests may be arriving. If the deceased was the sole person managing the property, guests need to be contacted and check-in arrangements made.
2
Handle active and upcoming reservations:
- •With account access: cancel upcoming reservations through the host dashboard. Airbnb will notify guests and process refunds.
- •Without account access: contact Airbnb support immediately. Explain the situation and provide the host's name, email, and property address.
- •If co-hosts with Full Access exist: they can continue managing reservations and messaging guests through their own accounts.
3
Collect pending payouts. Airbnb holds payouts for approximately 24 hours after guest check-in. Contact Airbnb support to redirect pending and future payouts to the estate's bank account. Provide letters testamentary or equivalent estate documentation.
4
Deactivate or transfer listings. Listings can be deactivated (snoozed or unlisted) to stop new bookings while the estate decides what to do with the property. If a family member or co-host will continue hosting, contact Airbnb about transferring the listing.
5
Note: Superhost status, reviews, and listing history cannot be transferred to a new account. If the listing is recreated under a new account, it starts with zero reviews.
6
For guest accounts: cancel any upcoming reservations. Contact Airbnb support to request refunds for prepaid reservations. Check for travel credits or gift card balances.
7
Check for security deposit holds or damage claims. If the deceased had active damage claims (either as host or guest), contact Airbnb support to resolve.
8
Request payout of any remaining balance in the Airbnb account. Provide estate documentation (death certificate, letters testamentary) to Airbnb support.
Required Documents
- Death certificate
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Government-issued ID of the estate representative
- Estate bank account information for payout redirection
- Property address and listing details (for host accounts)
Timeline
Active reservations require immediate attention (guests may be arriving within hours). Pending payouts are typically released within a few business days. Listing transfer or account closure timeline depends on Airbnb support case-by-case. No published processing timeline for estate claims.
Frequently asked questions
Pending payouts remain in the Airbnb system until released. The estate should contact Airbnb support with a death certificate and letters testamentary to redirect payouts to the estate's bank account. Active reservations continue unless cancelled, so guests may still be checking in and generating payouts.
Airbnb handles listing transfers case-by-case through support. The listing, reviews, and Superhost status are tied to the original account. If a co-host was added before death, they can continue managing the property. If the listing must be recreated under a new account, it starts with zero reviews.
Guests need to be notified and reservations cancelled or managed. If a co-host exists, they can handle check-ins. If not, contact Airbnb support to cancel reservations. Airbnb will process guest refunds. This requires immediate attention after the host's death.
Co-hosts can continue managing day-to-day operations (guest communication, check-ins, cleaning coordination) through their own accounts. However, the listing ownership, payout destination, and Superhost status remain tied to the deceased's account. Contact Airbnb support about formal listing transfer.
Contact Airbnb support with estate documentation to request payout or transfer of any remaining balance. Airbnb does not have a published policy for gift card or credit balance handling after death.
No. Airbnb's Major Disruptive Events Policy (formerly Extenuating Circumstances Policy) covers only large-scale events affecting the reservation location, such as natural disasters, government travel restrictions, military actions, and public health emergencies. Personal events like the death of a host, guest, or family member are not covered. Any refunds outside of the reservation's cancellation policy are at the host's discretion.
No. Airbnb's Terms of Service state that accounts may not be assigned or transferred to another party. If a host dies, heirs cannot take over the existing account. They would need to create a new account and new listings, losing all reviews, ratings, and Superhost status. Adding a co-host before death is the only way to maintain operational continuity.
Co-hosts with Full Access can continue managing day-to-day operations including guest communication, calendar management, and reservation handling through their own accounts. However, they cannot change the payout bank account, modify taxpayer information, or formally transfer listing ownership. The estate should contact Airbnb support to address payout redirection and long-term listing management.
The recipient can use transferred accounts under the program's normal terms. Keeping the deceased account holder's account number and contact details on file simplifies this process for the executor or surviving family.
Airbnb Support (case-by-case estate handling)
Phone1-844-234-2500
Timeline
Active reservations require immediate attention (guests may be arriving within hours). Pending payouts are typically released within a few business days. Listing transfer or account closure timeline depends on Airbnb support case-by-case. No published processing timeline for estate claims.
WebsiteFile estate claim→
Verified Apr 2026