We have plastering works being done in our place. Last minute, decided to rent a self-catering place for a week, instead of camping out at home.
Contacted a few self-catering holiday lets via email and agreed to the first one that responded. He had offered us his larger rental home at the price of the smaller one, as the smaller one was unavailable. No one would be onsite, but the keys would be at the property.
Arrived, and found clothes lying on the bed in the spare bedroom. Closet in the master bedroom full of duvets and clothes. Freezer stuffed with food and no place to add anything else. Pantry with empty wine bottles and boots. Hallway with coats and shoes.
Took a look around and left and went to a hotel. We were paying £450 for a self-catering rental, not a bed in someone's house.
Wrote to the owner the same day and he apologized saying that off season they use it as their own home and the cleaners had no time to sort it out, since it was a short notice of one day before we would arrive. And as they (the owners) were out of the country, they couldn't do it themselves.
If it is not ready to be rented, just say no to the enquiry. How can anyone offer a place for rental with personal belongings strewn around? And anyway, why would you fill a freezer full of your personal cooked food, if you plan on renting the place out?
Today we got an email asking for the rental money. We have cancelled the bank transfer. I cannot get over the chutzpah of the owners. AIBU?