Airbnb awful - don't leave a review?

[Freedomsjustanotherword]

Long story short, booked an Airbnb for six weeks while H looks for somewhere to rent. London, so a few grand. Major specific noise problem which, TBF, is temporary and recent although will be going on for a while. Worst at night. H moved to Premier Inn after first night as intolerable.

Host refused to give refund, although we got one through Airbnb. So pita but these things happen. Now getting messages asking me to leave a review as host has left us one (I say us as H booked through my account and Comms have been coming to me).

What's the etiquette? I can't leave even an okay review but don't want to trash someone's business by leaving a bad one. A review mentioning the problem was posted after we booked although previous reviews are glowing.

Can't decide whether to just not leave a review or leave one saying that there is major current noise issue to warn potential guests. I was not impressed that the host's reason for refusing a refund was that someone had stayed there recently with no complaints, when there was public review saying something different.

I would leave factual one, booked for x weeks, unfortunately noise due to y so had to find other arrangements. Host unwilling to refund (understand that it was a long booking/lot of money, however could not justify spending that with the current noise issues), however received through Air BnB.

Then maybe something about how the place seemed, if it was good, clean, tidy/would have likely enjoyed the property and location had it not been for the noise.

Leave an honest review. If everything else was ok then point that out and make it clear the noise is temporary.
I’d want to know if a host is difficult about refunds too.

Just post a very brief one more in sorrow than anger. "Sadly we had to cut our stay short due to noise from nearby (whatever the temporary space is)"

Factual review. Also let HMRC know so they can check tax is being paid on the income.

The only question is if the person could have known about the noise in advance. Possibly not, as this is the time when a lot of non-urgent road and street works takes place, to spend up the budget.

Please leave a review. Keep to the facts.

Leave an honest review. How will others know what it’s like if you don’t?

Is it the fault of the host or is it building works around or similar? I wouldn't leave a bad review for noise they can't control. Booking a place in London always comes with the risk of noise.

Is it railway works?

I don’t think the host is responsible for external noises unfortunately.

edit - typo

All Air BnB income is reported to HMRC automatically now. You are not allowed to list if you don't provide your NI number.

How would you imagine it would be possible to report people to HMRC without a surname or address? The address of the property would not be the hosts residential address unless it was a room in their house.

OP, if you want to leave a bad review I think it's fair to stress that it's a temporary problem.

Just be honest, what’s the point of anything else? How would you like it if you’re misled spend ‘thousands’ on a similar situation based on others’ incomplete reviews?

The last time I used AirBNB, there was the review that others could read and also one for just the hosts.

I always keep reviews factual and try to do pros/cons- good water pressure, close to XYZ etc. But I'd obviously mention that you had to leave due to the noise. I'm assuming you weren't warned of the noise beforehand? TBH- the owners may not have been aware either, depending what the noise was?

Thanks all. I think you're right about a factual review ie place was nice although had to leave after one sleepless night due to noise problem. This problem out of the host's control and likely temporary but who knows for how long. Way, way beyond usual city noise and worse during the night.

Refund obtained via Airbnb.