Weeks before my reservation with Claire, I contacted her through AirBNB to explain that I could not go to London, after all, so needed to cancel my reservation. She wrote back and acknowledged the canceled dates, with a friendly note about maybe re-booking in the future.
I was charged anyway, and even though our messages to one another are plain to see on the AirBnB message board, Claire charged me.
Her place is probably wonderful, but I don't like being charged for staying there when I did not and gave plenty of notice.