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Original poster

Is this air BnB listing a scam? Too good to be true

35 replies

Liund · 21/03/2025 16:48

My friend last minute has decided she wants to do something for her birthday this Summer. Not
many options for large groups. Found this listing and it seems too good to be true.

Is it a scam do you reckon? Don’t fancy scamming all her mates.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1179044938705772157?source_impression_id=p3_1742575567_P3xr-e1evSGfIdTM

gonna book otherwise. Wdyt?

Home in Greater London · ★5.0 · 4 bedrooms · 5 beds · 2.5 bathrooms

Spacious & stylish 4 beds house FREE PARKINg

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1179044938705772157?source_impression_id=p3_1742575567_P3xr-e1evSGfIdTM

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Original poster
Liund · 22/03/2025 11:21

Catza · 22/03/2025 07:55

Then why not book a premier inn or something in the actual central London. Who wants to schlep to Chiswick after clubbing?

Show quote history

this is the far cheaper option and this way we get to be social in the evening. Not perfect but you e got to work with what you’ve got.We’re not clubbing I’ve planned it so the restaurant / activity / bottomless drinks are somewhat evenly spaced so there isn’t a massive taxi ride. Works fine.

OP posts:
Catza · 22/03/2025 07:55

Liund · 21/03/2025 18:24

This is a last min job. Every other option for our dates is atrocious. Just need somewhere to crash and eat a hungover brekkie

Show quote history

Then why not book a premier inn or something in the actual central London. Who wants to schlep to Chiswick after clubbing?

arcticpandas · 21/03/2025 18:36

Does definitely not look like a scam to me.

FortyElephants · 21/03/2025 18:29

9 reviews since August isn't bad. They all look legit to me (long term Airbnb host) and you can click on the profiles of each review and see other reviews they've left and any properties they host.

I had my Airbnb account hacked and someone listed a luxury Dubai apartment cheap as chips. When I got my account back they had been trying to get everyone who enquired to pay via PayPal. Quite a lame scam, especially since my actual listing was a fairly shabby spare bedroom in a small town at £45 a night 😆 anyone doing due diligence should have seen immediately it was dodgy. But this looks normal to me.

Original poster
Liund · 21/03/2025 18:24

thankyounextplease · 21/03/2025 17:43

It doesn't seem suspiciously cheap especially with the extra fees on top and the reviews seem good, nothing to indicate it's a scam. I wouldn't say it's the most amazing Airbnb I've ever seen but it looks nice.

Edited

This is a last min job. Every other option for our dates is atrocious. Just need somewhere to crash and eat a hungover brekkie

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thankyounextplease · 21/03/2025 17:43

It doesn't seem suspiciously cheap especially with the extra fees on top and the reviews seem good, nothing to indicate it's a scam. I wouldn't say it's the most amazing Airbnb I've ever seen but it looks nice.

thankyounextplease · 21/03/2025 17:41

mindutopia · 21/03/2025 17:19

My friend only Airbnbs her home on the school holidays when they go traveling. I assume someone actually lives there and they don’t rent it out often, hence only a few reviews.

No, if you look at the calendar it's the full house available year round.

Daisy95 · 21/03/2025 17:30

If you actually look at the reviews and click on the profile of the reviewers they all look very legit, most been on air b&b a good few years and have good reviews themselves. It doesn’t scream scam to me.

mindutopia · 21/03/2025 17:19

My friend only Airbnbs her home on the school holidays when they go traveling. I assume someone actually lives there and they don’t rent it out often, hence only a few reviews.

redlightgreenlight123 · 21/03/2025 17:09

You don’t have to leave reviews on Airbnb and cause it’s been a round for a while now people tend not too do so as much as they used too. If you are concerned message Airbnb direct. They are usually fast to reply and helpful. Or message the host and have a conversation with them before booking and see how that goes and it may alleviate your concerns.

PaintDecisions · 21/03/2025 17:06

Have you checked the price for the dates you want? Have you seen the cleaning and service fees? It's megabucks.

faerietales · 21/03/2025 17:06

shellyleppard · 21/03/2025 17:04

Whats.5 of a bathroom 😂😂

It normally just means a shower and toilet rather than a bath.

Icecreamandcoffee · 21/03/2025 17:05

Its probably someone who only rents out occasionally rather than the holiday cottage companies who use Airbnb who have their cottages on most of the year. No parties/ events means you are only having large families or extended families (young family+ grandparents) stopping which reduces the pool of people stopping.

shellyleppard · 21/03/2025 17:04

Whats.5 of a bathroom 😂😂

Crunchymum · 21/03/2025 17:03

Chiswick isn't exactly central.

Will everyone mind sharing a double bed?

Doesn't scream scam but I imagine there is a reason it's not got many reviews and I imagine that's down to the sleeping arrangements.

FabuIous · 21/03/2025 17:01

The reviews look odd in that they’re all very detailed.
eg compared to
www.airbnb.com/l/25oegw87

faerietales · 21/03/2025 17:00

It looks fine to me. Lots of people on Air BnB only rent their homes out very occasionally.

Original poster
Liund · 21/03/2025 16:59

TickTockBridget · 21/03/2025 16:57

’lots of room for fun’, to accommodate 12 people, but no parties or events? Is it aimed at large families visiting relatives in London?

We would just literally be crashing out after clubbing. Ordering a breakfast the next morning

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TickTockBridget · 21/03/2025 16:57

’lots of room for fun’, to accommodate 12 people, but no parties or events? Is it aimed at large families visiting relatives in London?

lizzielizard · 21/03/2025 16:57

If you think it's too good to be true, it probably is. I'd steer clear if it's way off similar listings

Catza · 21/03/2025 16:57

Liund · 21/03/2025 16:53

9 months hosting a nice London house that is well priced and only 9 reviews?

You don't know how many people stayed there in 9 months. A relatively small proportion of guests leave a review as well. £400 a night for a house is not "well priced" for most people so I can't imagine Hoi is swamped with guests.

Original poster
Liund · 21/03/2025 16:56

if you look at what else is available for that size a group you would see why I am suspicious

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TheDandyKhakiDuck · 21/03/2025 16:55

Reviews are spread out over quite a few months, that’s a green flag.

How many people do you think look for a 4 bed house? 9 reviews over 9 months seems reasonable to me (not everyone will leave a review)

Jade520 · 21/03/2025 16:55

Looks fine to me. The price certainly isn't too good to be true.

Original poster
Liund · 21/03/2025 16:54

Chuchoter · 21/03/2025 16:53

You wouldn't be scamming anyone. What a strange thing to think.

Ie ending up with no place to sleep and messing up friend’s 30th

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