What i learnt from 2 Airbnb damage disputes that cost me almost $1k

It's been 2 years since I started hosting, and I've faced 2 major damage disputes to date. lost both of them. These are my takeaway lessons:

❌what DIDN'T work:

- Photos taken "sometimes that week" (without timestamps)

- Verbal reports from cleaners

- Memory of what was damaged

- Photos taken days after checkout

✅what I wish I'd done:

1. After the guest checkout, an immediate walkthrough TIMESTAMPED video

2. Captured audio notes while doing the home inspection (for example, recording "checking bathroom, scratch on the wall near the switchboard")

3. had a checklist for all the regular inspections

4. stored everything in one place with dates, so I don't accidentally delete important evidence.

all in all, according to I think my BIGGEST MISTAKE was thinking 'random photos are enough.' Airbnb wants TIMESTAMPED, CONTEXT< PROOF that damage happened during the guest's stay.

Has anyone else learned an expensive lesson? what's your pre/post-checkout routine?