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Original poster

AIBU to complain about Airbnb with owners' belongings and no storage space?

44 replies

Holly247 · 28/03/2026 23:56

So we've arrived at our Airbnb in France and although the place is nice, it feels like we're house sitting. Their clothes are filling all the closets, and the kitchen too, not one cupboard has been left free for our use, they're full of the owners food. There's also food left in the fridge (including a fresh pepper?), and although some shelves have been left free in there, the freezer is choc full! The photos didn't show these areas and surprisingly the reviews are glowing with no mention of this (perhaps because owners can review renters, too?). Am I being unreasonable, and what do I do if anything?

OP posts:
Janesput · 29/03/2026 14:29

Isn't that what AirBnB is supposed to be? People renting their home/room short term while they don't need it. I know holiday let business types use it too, but I thought that's why it came to being in the first place.

I don't use them except for the odd night, but I don't think this is unusual.

Edited for a depressing no.of typos.

airportfloor · 29/03/2026 14:26

Perhaps suggest they make it clearer it’s a family home.

i rent my whole house out and mark it as such. I’d feel so upset if people were rummaging through my clothes or using my toiletries out of what seems like spite with some of these posters rather than necessity.

They’ve made space in the fridge for you.

I don’t like turfing me and the kids out to let strangers sleep in the house but needs must with the cost of living crisis.

Original poster
Holly247 · 29/03/2026 13:58

mixingplaydoh · 29/03/2026 10:44

I think there’s an option on the listing for the owner to specify whether it’s their home or a holiday let. I had a similar experience in the UK - the family were clearly keen photographers as there were multiple pics of their kids covering the walls, which was a bit disconcerting.

I checked the listing and saw that they had in fact listed it as a family home rather than a holiday let. I think they should have made it clearer in the listing however the extent to which it was full of their own stuff etc.

I have just checked the listing and there's no mention of it being their home. Says the letting is the entire house. The fridge is plastered on all sides with family snaps, and they are frames on walls as well. I think the problem is expectations, I feel like I have been deliberately misled, as all the photos on the listing have avoided showing any of this clutter and their personal effects, they have been quite clever in the bits they have shown and what they haven't! And no notes left or anything to say 'help yourselves to x,y,z' etc I think that would have helped. I don't want to touch or use anything they have left as it's not clear if we're meant to or not! Just wondering if it's a cultural difference with us being upright Brits and the French owners won't see any issue at all!

OP posts:
mixingplaydoh · 29/03/2026 10:44

I think there’s an option on the listing for the owner to specify whether it’s their home or a holiday let. I had a similar experience in the UK - the family were clearly keen photographers as there were multiple pics of their kids covering the walls, which was a bit disconcerting.

I checked the listing and saw that they had in fact listed it as a family home rather than a holiday let. I think they should have made it clearer in the listing however the extent to which it was full of their own stuff etc.

GrimDamnFanjo · 29/03/2026 10:33

I had this experience also in France. The owners left a note just asking if we ate the freezer food could we please replace. Everything else was ours.

KnickerlessParsons · 29/03/2026 10:00

Holly247 · 29/03/2026 00:51

Oh yes there's loads of used toiletries here too! It literally feels like we've broken into someone's house while they've popped out.

Show quote history

I would, and do, use the toiletries too. I’d assume they, and the food were left for people to use.

AlwaysRightISwear · 29/03/2026 09:56

I hope you're in the right house :)

More seriously I agree with the PP who said this is how AB&B was supposed to be and it's a good thing it's getting back there.

ladycarlotta · 29/03/2026 02:07

This was the point of Airbnb. Stay in someone's actual home. All my best stays have been in actual homes, not managed properties.

And many more countries are now legislating about how many days a year you can Airbnb a property, and it has to be a main residence. No idea if that's the case in France.

They should probably have made a bit more space for your things but I wouldn't expect a vacant holiday-let style property from an Airbnb.

Seeingadistance · 29/03/2026 00:54

WoollyandSarah · 29/03/2026 00:35

Would the clothes fit you? That's only a little step on from eating the food.

😂

Original poster
Holly247 · 29/03/2026 00:51

Frostynoman · 29/03/2026 00:49

We had a similar experience in a French air b n b where the kitchen was left as if someone was returning imminently. Luckily not too clothes lying around but half used toiletries were in the bathrooms

Oh yes there's loads of used toiletries here too! It literally feels like we've broken into someone's house while they've popped out.

OP posts:
Frostynoman · 29/03/2026 00:49

We had a similar experience in a French air b n b where the kitchen was left as if someone was returning imminently. Luckily not too clothes lying around but half used toiletries were in the bathrooms

saraclara · 29/03/2026 00:44

Definitely mention it in your review. I'd hate that and want to be warned. As a pp has pointed out, the owner won't see your review until they've posted their review of you. So they can't 'get you back' in any way.

auserna · 29/03/2026 00:35

That's very cheeky imo. I've had a similar experience, but they had at least made some effort to clear away their stuff.

WoollyandSarah · 29/03/2026 00:35

Would the clothes fit you? That's only a little step on from eating the food.

ProudPearl · 29/03/2026 00:18

The Airbnb website is set up so they can't read your review until they've written theirs, so you can be as honest as you like!

Original poster
Holly247 · 29/03/2026 00:14

LadyInRainbow · 29/03/2026 00:04

It feels a bit like air BnB encourage this as they’ve had a series of ads around letting out your house when your on holiday. is the owners stuff mentioned in the listing. Have you rented the whole house or just a room with access to the rest?

I've rented the entire house. No mention of the owners stuff at all in the listing. And it sleeps seven and we're a family of four, just as well we travel light.

OP posts:
LadyInRainbow · 29/03/2026 00:04

It feels a bit like air BnB encourage this as they’ve had a series of ads around letting out your house when your on holiday. is the owners stuff mentioned in the listing. Have you rented the whole house or just a room with access to the rest?

Laura95167 · 29/03/2026 00:04

1st post nails it. Large welcome basket.

KnickerlessParsons · 29/03/2026 00:01

I would assume that any food in an air b&b is fair game and eat it.

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