HELP! Tea light scorch mark in an Air BnB!

[QuimReaper]

I'm staying in a beautiful Air BnB. Last night I lit a few candles, and this morning when tidying up I noticed one has left a black circle on the surface. Argh!

After a quick Google I've squeezed some white toothpaste on it, any other tips?

What is the surface? Wood or paint?

@SheWoreYellow A white painted wood unit, I think.

What did you scorch???

(Note to self to add a note to our rentals paperwork for people NOT to light candles 😳)

@MarmiteCoriander I've no idea how it happened, I just picked up the metal casing and there was a black circle under it!

Metal dies that to plastic, is it in the bathroom?

If you've made a mark that doesn't come off, just tell the owner. A painted surface is probably fine for a quick touch up but they won't bring the paint to the changeover clean if you don't tell them.

If it doesn't come off just own up straight away dont wait for them to find it. In future always put candles on a coaster or plate etc.

A holiday let I stayed in last year banned tea lights. In the spring they'd had someone place them all around the bath. Ended iup with scorched/melted circles all around it, and had to replace the whole thing.

Let the owner know, and be prepared to pay for damage.

@headstone You're right, it's that plasticky coated stuff - it's in the living room, on the corner of a cabinet. It looks absolutely awful and I've scrubbed and scrubbed but it's not coming up - I doubt they can paint over it either, as it's that kind of smooth shiny surface IYSWIM.

What on earth are they going to do?!

Take a picture and fess up. I’d far rather be to,d up front by a renter so I know I have to deal with it.

What on earth are they going to do?!

Tell them and be honest! Be prepared to folk out to repair/replace whatever it was you damaged.

How it happened is the metal gets really scorching hot and… scorched!

Tea lights need to go in holders, or on a plate at the very least. You wouldn’t put a hot metal pan down without protecting a surface, would you?

Expect to lose your damage deposit.

Did you use a tea light holder they provided or just put the tealight on the furniture?! They get really really hot (which I guess you know now)

If you used a holder and they provided the tea light and holder then I'd be more inclined to say you weren't reckless, but if you just put a bare tealight (especially if you brought it there yourself?) on the furniture, I think you might find yourself paying for a new cabinet. You're lucky it didn't catch fire!

You put a hot metal tea light straight onto a surface!!

Can you put a picture on here to see if anyone has any ideas.

Do you pay damage deposits with Air BnB? I'm only staying for a weekend, not renting the place long-term.

Did you bring the tea lights?

Yes I did toomuch

Have a quick scan through the paperwork to see if it says no to lighting candles and what to do to report damages.

Did you bring them with you?

Regardless of whether you’re there for the weekend, if you cause damage you need to pay to have it repaired or replaced. Would you put a bare tea light on a surface in your own house?

Jelly I do, all the time, that's why I didn't think twice!

Blimey if you're daft enough to put tea lights directly onto a surface you REALLY shouldn't be using them. You need to fess up and pay any damages.

Oops I think you need to pay for the damage OP

Check the terms and conditions; there will be a damage clause in there, whether you are there for a day or a month.

I'm stunned anyone put a bare tea light on furniture, for your own safety let alone the property.

Inform the owner and pay. Lesson learned.

You're lucky you didn't burn the place down. I'm amazed that anyone would light a tea light anywhere but in a holder.