So bloody angry about this pending business which seems to be new.. Had it happen for the first time 3 days ago.. You can tap on the pending bit on the right and it came up with the person who paperwork was pending. Strangely she had already used airbnb once two years ago. I assume she needed aurothization. Someone else was trying to book those exact same dates, a first time user. He told me he was very unimpressed with Airbnb..First they accepted his booking, took his money then said room not available and refunded his money!!.. All this happened without me speaking to either party!!!.. He still really wanted my rooms and we tried. The pending block came off the next day (it suggests 12hrs) but he said his original payment was not back in his account and he didnt feel confident to book.. I now have someone booked and here for those dates!!! saga!
Now let me tell you what really galls me!.... When i was a guest and tried to verify, it took me a few days of doing it over and over again!.. There was no button to finalize the details you put in and therefore you do not know if it has gone through.. I could not book and the host was not helpful!. I usually would not bother and walk away from that company but the room and price and area where exactly what i wanted and couldnt match so i persevered.
I have just now got the same problem again, someone just messaged me, said he has done everything asked and still wont let the booking go through.. on my side it says pending verification yet again!!!.. I am so annoyed!..This should not happen and block other people!!!.. let alone so many people keep telling me as my guest who left today that verification is a nightmare!..
SORT IT OUT AIRBNB, YOU ARE LOSING GUESTS FOR US AND PROFIT FOR YOU TOO!..
Hope you get it sorted, you cant message the pending person anyway as no details other than their profile.. no contact details.. Just tell the person who is waiting that you will get back to them when the 12hrs has elapsed to let them book or tell them the listing is taken by someone else.. That is what i have just done to this chap.. So annoying!..
Im going to hunt for contact details yet again to talk to airbnb, not that they reply anymore as they used to!!..
Good luck.