Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Strange AirBnB situation...

85 replies

Takeittoheart · 31/08/2024 22:25

Posting for the first time here as I genuinely want opinions on the very odd AirBnB situation I experienced yesterday.

My partner and I booked an AirBnB in London so we could see a show. Just a room in someone's house, not ideal but it was all we could afford. We arrived at the AirBnB, were given keys and shown to our room (the front room with a sofa bed, all fine) and met the hosts two children. I thought it was a bit odd the listing didn't mention children, but no biggie. There was a boy who I would say was 12/13 and a girl probably around 7/8 although I'm guessing here. As we had a pre theatre meal booked, we headed out pretty soon after, had a great evening and came back home to bed.

In the morning, I woke up to the front door closing (we were in the front room). Didn't think much of it until I heard the daughter coming downstairs saying "where were you!?". The mum was shushing her but the girl kept asking and also said "we didn't know where you were" and "those people were here". She took them away from our door and into the kitchen so I didn't hear anymore. So from what I can work out, this woman left her children in a house with two complete strangers (she doesn't know us from Adam), they were frightened and we were absolutely none the wiser. I really dread to think what might have happened if anything had happened to one of them. It really shook us up and we left pretty much immediately without seeing them.

Would you report this in the circumstances, or am I being dramatic? Partner thinks we should leave it as there was an older kid there but I really feel for those kids and the fact that they were scared overnight.

Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
jollyholly222 · 31/08/2024 22:38

Takeittoheart · 31/08/2024 22:25

Posting for the first time here as I genuinely want opinions on the very odd AirBnB situation I experienced yesterday.

My partner and I booked an AirBnB in London so we could see a show. Just a room in someone's house, not ideal but it was all we could afford. We arrived at the AirBnB, were given keys and shown to our room (the front room with a sofa bed, all fine) and met the hosts two children. I thought it was a bit odd the listing didn't mention children, but no biggie. There was a boy who I would say was 12/13 and a girl probably around 7/8 although I'm guessing here. As we had a pre theatre meal booked, we headed out pretty soon after, had a great evening and came back home to bed.

In the morning, I woke up to the front door closing (we were in the front room). Didn't think much of it until I heard the daughter coming downstairs saying "where were you!?". The mum was shushing her but the girl kept asking and also said "we didn't know where you were" and "those people were here". She took them away from our door and into the kitchen so I didn't hear anymore. So from what I can work out, this woman left her children in a house with two complete strangers (she doesn't know us from Adam), they were frightened and we were absolutely none the wiser. I really dread to think what might have happened if anything had happened to one of them. It really shook us up and we left pretty much immediately without seeing them.

Would you report this in the circumstances, or am I being dramatic? Partner thinks we should leave it as there was an older kid there but I really feel for those kids and the fact that they were scared overnight.

Any advice appreciated.

That sounds really strange, even if the oldest was 13. From a safeguarding perspective, she has no idea who you are or your history towards children. I'd report it. If it was just a 2 min trip to shop, then nothing to worry about imo but still concerning they had no idea where mother was. If it was an overnight stay, mother needs to be warned.

God forbid nothing is said and the next users of the air bnb aren't like yourselves. Appreciate times are tough financially but never a reason to put your children at risk.

Andwegoroundagain · 31/08/2024 22:38

It sounds awkward and really they should have made clear on listing. I don't think you have enough facts to do anything more though .. reporting to SS seems rather extreme given she could have just popped out for a pint of milk

DinosaurMunch · 31/08/2024 22:37

You don't know they were away all night, in fact that seems unlikely. More likely the mum just nipped to the shop.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 31/08/2024 22:37

Sorry my post there was rambling. I mean that if she was out all night that would be really worrying, but she might have just gone to get her coat out of the car and the kid was over reacting

Even so I feel bad for the kids with strangers sleeping in their lounge (and feel bad for you, how awkward)

Takeittoheart · 31/08/2024 22:36

We didn't see/hear anyone when we got back. But we were back late and as we were downstairs and they were all upstairs I just assumed they were all in bed. I suppose it makes sense she could have just popped out without her DD knowing, it was how distressed she sounded and the mum shushing her which made me think it was a bit odd.

OP posts:
Thatcat · 31/08/2024 22:35

It sounds like you weren’t fully informed of the nature of the stay.

The mother might usually sleep in the livingroom, but really needs the extra cash? I’d imagine the older kid might have been looking after the younger one, but still 13 is too young for an overnight. For all the mother knew knew, you could have been a drunk creep. Poor kids.

Mumandcarer80 · 31/08/2024 22:34

Definitely report she's used the opportunity to leave the children overnight. That's neglect you could have been anyonr. Child protection will take this seriously.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 31/08/2024 22:33

Are you saying she was out all night? Did you see/ hear the hosts when you got back?
Maybe she just nipped to the shop in the early morning and her DD didn't know she'd gone?

MotherOfCrocodiles · 31/08/2024 22:32

Sounds really awkward but I'm assuming they didn't go out all night or anything.

My DD (7) would say exactly that kind of thing if I went out to the car or shed for 2min and there was someone she didn't know in the house. Eg if a friend from work dropped round to borrow a tool and I had to get it from the shed, so left her alone with someone that she hadn't met before, in our house, for a couple of minutes whilst I was in the shed- she would definitely say that kind of thing.

It's not great that the hosts are doing air bnb with kids at home, especially if the kids don't feel safe. I guess they need the money.

GoldPlayer · 31/08/2024 22:29

Sounds like you got a very weird vibe. Trust your instinct

Swipe left for the next trending thread