Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Airbnb host looking fir £100 extra

34 replies

AirbnbHost · 20/05/2019 13:46

In February I booked an apartment in Madrid for a family occasion. Now it happens to correspond to the Champions League Final weekend. I knew this when booking but had no choice in the dates.

The host has now come back to me yesterday asking for an additional £100 because they say an administrative error on their part neglected to increase the prices because of the final.
I’ve called Airbnb and they say that of the host cancels they fine them (I think it’s something like £50/£100). They will try to help me get alternative accommodation- fat chance at this stage.

If I don’t pay this and refuse to cancel - can the host cancel and then rent out the apartment on those dates anyway?

OP posts:
ChardonnaysPrettySister · 20/05/2019 13:48

It would appear she can.

Not nice.,

NoBaggyPants · 20/05/2019 13:48

Yes, they can. Even if they get fined they'll still be up by reletting it at super high rates.

Sorry.

Disfordarkchocolate · 20/05/2019 13:50

I'd pay it and them note what had happened when I left a review, they would have very few stars from me.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
AirbnbHost · 20/05/2019 14:35

I’ve read on the Airbnb website that if the host cancels then the dates are not available for booking. I suppose that won’t stop them advertising it on other sites though.

OP posts:
Original poster
AirbnbHost · 20/05/2019 17:17

Well he can fuck right off looking for extra money. I’ve now booked a fabulous hotel which includes breaks fast for the same money.

It’s outside of town so likely to be quieter away from all the football fans - better for myself and two children.

I’m not going to tell him that I won’t be ‘accepting’ his new offer until later, much later, much much later! Let him stew.

OP posts:
Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 17:14

Right so. I have found another hotel. Out of the city so it’ll be quieter. Still about £350 so definitely out of pocket.

The host is now saying that I should cancel and he will give me the money back. His cancellation policy states that if I cancel now then I only get50% back. He insists he can give it all.

Any experience please?

OP posts:
LittleG69 · 23/05/2019 18:34

In my experience airbnb are very responsive via Facebook messenger. My host went awol 2 days before we were due to arrive and they were very helpful

Might be worth checking with them?

Daisydoesnt · 23/05/2019 18:40

I was until recently an AirBnB host. Even if their cancellation policy says that you are only due a 50% refund, the host can opt to refund the whole amount if they choose.

I had a guest cancel because the husband had to go in to hospital very suddenly. Under the T&Cs they weren't due a refund, but I choose to give them the whole amount back. I couldn't profit from someone else's misfortune.

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 19:04

Thanks both. That’s good to hear.

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 23/05/2019 19:06

They won't be able to relet the dates if they cancel you. But they can easily list it as a new listing and rent it that way.
Make them cancel you, don't request to cancel yourself. If they cancel you then you automatically get a full refund and they get a strike against them.

IDontDrinkTea · 23/05/2019 19:33

We had this. Booked an air bnb. The host messaged us to say our booking was cancelled as Ed Sheehan was playing nearby that night (funny that, that’s why we booked Hmm ) and then I saw the same place readvertised at twice the price

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 19:39

Ok so am definitely going to get him to cancel! He’ll probably readvertise on Facebook or somewhere else if he’s blocked on Airbnb but I’m not going to make it easy for him.

Right - first things first I think I’ll reject his alteration request now. Then if he messages re me cancelling I’ll tell him that I’m still having trouble finding accommodation. What do you think?

OP posts:
Doidontimmm · 23/05/2019 19:42

He could just not cancel you though? Then you will be liable to pay that as well as the hotel?

Doidontimmm · 23/05/2019 19:43

Please make sure all correspondence is through Airbnb so they can view it if need be (I’m a current host).

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 19:45

Too right. I have until Wed before I can’t cancel the hotel. Can I brave it out till then?

OP posts:
bert3400 · 23/05/2019 19:58

Be very careful that you get your money back. We cancelled an AbnB, 4 months before the Tavel date & after being told we would get a refund . We never did ...we lost £1500. Every time we approach AbnB they close our case . We have now taken it to Simon Calder as we feel well & truly ripped off by the host & Abnb

CodenameVillanelle · 23/05/2019 20:11

Bert was this a flexible listing and was it booked less than a year ago? Because if it was a strict booking listing and booked over a year ago you wouldn't get a refund if you cancelled, unless the host chose to.

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 20:22

Hmmm. That’s what I’m worried about. I’m now in the losing 50% stage if he doesn’t honour his promise to refund.

Does anyone know if the service fee is refundable?

OP posts:
lightningstrikes · 23/05/2019 20:40

He can request money, you don't have to pay. If he cancels he will be fined, lose superhost status for a year and have the dates blocked on Airbnb. Also you will get a full refund. I wouldn't cancel if I were you. Tell him he must as you want the refund guarantee. He has already proven himself untrustworthy. He's trying to get out of the sanctions for a bit more money. I would also report this to Airbnb via phone. I am an Airbnb host. I would never do this to someone.

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 21:01

I completely agree that I’m unlikely to get anything back. I’ve saud that it’s best for him to cancel as I’m unsure if I’d get all the money back including the service fee. He’s replied hat after cancelling he’d contact Airbnb to ensure that the refund goes through Hmm

Don’t trust him. Can you help me draft a reply please?

OP posts:
Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 21:12

Thoughts please...

“[name],
We had an earlier agreement of a date and a price which was made over 3 months ago. You have come back to me les than 2 weeks before my travel date with a 40% increase in price. Therefore unfortunately I cannot take it that you will contact Airbnb to resolve this in my favor. I won’t increase the price and therefore the decision is with you to cancel or not.”

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 23/05/2019 21:13

You know actually you should have an option to cancel because the host requested it. They put it in to avoid hosts bypassing sanctions by asking the guests to cancel. Try going through that process and before you cancel check what it says about refunds.

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 21:15

Oooh that’s so interesting. How do I get to that point?

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 23/05/2019 21:17

If you go to the booking page and go to cancel it should ask you for your reason

Original poster
AirbnbHost · 23/05/2019 21:30

Thanks Code.

Im not normally vindictive but...
if I do it like that will those dates still be blocked out for him and not available on Airbnb? A little bit of me wants to make his life of getting more money for this property a little harder (he caused me so much stress last week trying to figure it out and has actually cost me £90 in the process). I want a little bit of blood Smile

Also I was due to stay on Friday so if I wait until Saturday it’ll cost him another £100 in sanctions right? ok lots of blood Grin

OP posts: