During the stay

WhatsApp template: maintenance issue reply

When a guest reports a technical issue (broken heating, water leak, broken fridge, clogged drain), the reply in the first 2 hours determines whether you'll end with a 5-star review ('issue handled fast') or a 2-star review ('abandoned'). Three variants: small issue (solvable remotely or by guest), medium issue (technician same-day), severe issue (apartment change needed).

When to send

When to send: within 15-30 minutes of the report. Even just 'I read, looking into a fix' beats silence.

3 ready-to-copy templates

Three tone variants. Pick the closest match to your style, or use them as a baseline to personalise.

Placeholders like {{guest_name}} are intentionally left visible — replace them with your data before sending.

1Small issue (remote-solvable)

Hi {{guest_name}}, just read your message. Let's see if we can fix this right now.

The issue with {{issue_type}} usually has 3 most common causes:

1️⃣ {{cause_1}}: {{solution_1}}
2️⃣ {{cause_2}}: {{solution_2}}
3️⃣ {{cause_3}}: {{solution_3}}

Can you try one at a time in 5 minutes? If one works, write me 'ok solved' and we're done. If none works, I'll send a technician right away.

Meanwhile, if the issue is blocking something urgent (work, rest), tell me what you need and I'll organize: nearby cafe with Wi-Fi, hotel if necessary, etc.

2Medium issue (same-day technician)

Hi {{guest_name}}, I understand the inconvenience from {{issue_type}}. Handling it right away.

Next steps:

⏰ Now: calling my plumber/electrician/technician (depending on issue). Roughly arrives within {{arrival_time}}.

📞 When they arrive they'll call you 5 min before. You let them in and show the problem. Payment: already covered by me, you don't pay anything.

🛠️ Estimated repair time: {{repair_duration}}.

For the inconvenience, depending on how it goes:
• If issue solved same day: no compensation (it's normal these things happen)
• If requires 2+ days or blocks essential use (water, heating, kitchen): partial compensation or apartment change

Now I'll send you the technician's name so you know who to expect. Keep me updated after their visit.

3Severe issue (apartment change)

Hi {{guest_name}}, just read this. {{issue_type}} is unacceptable for a paid stay. Not making you wait.

Decision made now: I'm moving you to another apartment.

🏠 I have immediate availability in {{alternative}} (area {{neighborhood}}, {{brief_description}}). Same level or better than current apartment.

Logistics:
📦 When you want you can pack at leisure
🚕 I'll call you a taxi (I pay) for the move
🔑 Keys and instructions for new apartment: I send them in 15 minutes

For the current issue, I'll organize a technician in the meantime for next bookings — not your concern.

For refund: I cover the nights already paid in current apartment + no extra cost on the new one. If new one is lower-value, I refund the difference via Airbnb resolution.

Give me 15 minutes to organize everything and I'll write back with full details. Very sorry for the inconvenience.

Practical tips

  • 1Never ask the guest 'are you sure?'. Even if you suspect the issue is exaggerated, trust them. The review loss from inaction is huge; cost of an unnecessary technician is low.
  • 2Build a network of trusted, on-call technicians (plumber, electrician, handyman). Pre-negotiate: fixed emergency prices, availability within 4 hours. Worth every euro.
  • 3For severe issues, an apartment-swap offer within 1 hour is the strongest signal of seriousness. Even if guest refuses, they'll thank you in the review.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I refund for technical issues?+

Proportional to real inconvenience: 1 night without hot water = 30-50% night refund. 1 night without heating in winter = 100% night refund. Broken fridge for 2 days = 30% of total stay. Never underestimate — a small refund today saves a 1-star review tomorrow.

Guest wants a refund but the issue was minor. What to do?+

Be firm but diplomatic: 'I understand the inconvenience, [issue] was solved in [time] thanks to [action]. For the limited disruption I can't apply a refund, but I can offer 10% discount on next booking'. Never give in to excessive demands — they fuel predatory behavior.

Technician can't fix same-day: how to handle?+

Communicate honestly. If issue is severe (water, heating, safety), propose apartment change. If less severe (unstable Wi-Fi, broken dishwasher), offer partial refund and explain when the part arrives. Transparency > false promises.

Want to automate the non-template replies too?

Verto AI handles guest conversations for you, in 25+ languages.

Templates cover predictable cases. For everything else — unexpected questions, photo attachments, voice notes, different languages — Verto AI replies on its own, understands context, and keeps the tone you set.