Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you shouldn't airbnb if you are this anal about housekeeping?

29 replies

Cocklodger · 11/08/2017 12:36

I'm a bit Hmm
I booked into an airbnb a few days ago.
Long story short my rented house was badly damaged in a fire caused by an aircon unit. So I spent some time in a hotel then booked into an airbnb. Private apartment, not sharing with anyone. I left the airbnb today after the host called me to say she was unimpressed that I'd
Left clothing on my bed (comfy pjs to get into after work)
Left a (dirty but rinsed out) bowl in the sink as I was in a rush to get dd to her dads this morning so I could go to work.
I had "blotted the floor" I've no idea what that means as she was very het up and with a language barrier I struggled to understand her. I apologised, went home early and deep cleaned and then booked into a local cheap hotel.
I can't be doing with the stress to be honest.
If I'm renting somewhere private for 2weeks (if she lived there it'd be different) I do not expect the host to enter uninvited and start poking through my stuff!
She refunded me (I requested a refund of the days I hadn't used minus 2 days for inconvenience caused. I thought this was generous but left it up to her to negotiate if she wants to) She has now left me another ranting text because I've left over a week early (2wk 1 day rental) which is apparently very unfair of me and she will leave me a bad review on airbnb.
I don't know if that's possible and to be honest couldn't care less when I've never used it before (this is the first time) and probably won't again.

OP posts:
OneThingAndThenTheNext · 11/08/2017 12:39

I wouldn't have thought she should be goingnin whilst you've it booked? Never used Air BnB though so not idea! Was it like a "maid service" at a hotel and that's why she went in?

Changerofname987654321 · 11/08/2017 12:39

You can both leave reviews on air B and B.

lozzylizzy · 11/08/2017 12:41

Just leave similarly bad feedback with your counterclaims e.g. going through your stuff mid rent etc. It will do her more damage than you :)

origamiwarrior · 11/08/2017 12:41

I think she can leave you a guest review, but as you say, if you don't use airbnb again, then it's not going to make a difference. What is much more powerful (in terms of the effect) is the review you leave for her!!

I expect if she does leave you a bad guest review, then if you take it up with airbnb that she entered a private apartment during your stay, they would delete it anyway.

ClemDanfango · 11/08/2017 12:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Cocklodger · 11/08/2017 12:46

I'm a bit of a confrontation averse person, so I thought best to be apologetic and leave quickly with no mess behind, try and get a refund and then forget about it than to argue.
I don't know if I should leave her a review, I might because it's only fair I suppose. Other than today its been pretty good it's a great reasonably priced apartment in a great location, so maybe I'd give her 2/5 on the strength of the apartment....

OP posts:
Cheby · 11/08/2017 12:48

Definitely leave a review.

HipsterHunter · 11/08/2017 12:49

Leave you're review -2/5

"Great apartment in a great location however I had really difficult and intrusive interaction with the host.

The host evetered my room and went through my stuff and I received a complaint from her that I had left my PJs on the bed! She also complained her I had left a bowl in the sink (mid ten) "

I would also complain to airbnb about our stay and the review.

acquiescence · 11/08/2017 12:50

Sounds totally mad and inappropriate. You have been more than reasonable.

Original poster
Cocklodger · 11/08/2017 12:57

Will leave a review along the lines of hunters template.
Dd is being a bit of a nightmare tonight - cranky and overtired, hopefully she will go down soon so I can type faster than half a word per minute (typing one handed)

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 11/08/2017 12:57

Within reason, how you keep the place during the stay is no concern of the host as long as it is ok when you leave.

KERALA1 · 11/08/2017 12:59

I detest airbnb. The first time we did it the place was probably the worst place we have ever stayed and we have travelled round India.

The second time I was paranoid about the review thing spent half the time scrubbing. There's a lot to be said for the anonymity of hotels without the risk of offending a weirdo as op has found.

Original poster
Cocklodger · 11/08/2017 13:02

Don't think I'll use it again to be honest.
I thought it was a good way of having access to a more "home" base for a few weeks while I try to find a new private rental but that's gone out the window now.

OP posts:
EastDulwichWife · 11/08/2017 13:04

You can both leave a review. You can also contact Airbnb and let them know that you've been forced to leave because she's rifled through your belongings. That's not on, she'll be kicked off.

brasty · 11/08/2017 13:08

That is awful on her part.
I found Air Bn'B a bit hit and miss and do not use it now. Too many people simply wanting to make some money, without understanding what it actually involves.

Viviennemary · 11/08/2017 13:16

If she leaves you a bad review then reply if that's possible or leave her a bad review. if she doesn't leave a review I'd just leave it. Sounds like she hasn't a clue.

thecatneuterer · 11/08/2017 13:20

Leave her a bad review regardless. And complain to Airbnb. You need to warn other potential guests of her madness. And you were much more restrained than I would have been, and I am also very confrontation averse.

orangefolly · 11/08/2017 13:20

I've used Airbnb a lot, all over the world, and I have to say I've had excellent experiences. I would never stay in a place that doesn't have a lot of great reviews though - I think it weeds out the nutters and bad places. I do hope it doesn't put you off forever OP. It sounds like you had real bad luck to get such a strange, intrusive host.

Beachbaby2017 · 11/08/2017 13:40

You can't really trust airbnb reviews because people aren't as frank as they could be because they're scared to get a bad review back. I stayed in a really gross apartment that had nothing but glowing reviews. I left a mildly negative one and the host tore a piece off of me on my profile. I had already decided that was my last time ever using airbnb but if it hadn't been, I would have had a hard time booking in the future with that review on my profile. Airbnb are not very responsive so it's hard to solve anything via them directly.

I'm impressed you got your money back, and I'm glad you're leaving that place!

Bemusedandpuzzled · 11/08/2017 13:40

I've never had a bad experience like this with an Airbnb, either, though the woman who ran the last one I used was clearly disorganised and a bit mad. I think if you are renting a private apartment, you should be able to use it however you like, provided you are considerate to neighbours and the place is not left in a terrible state at the end of the tenancy. If you want to fling your used clothes all over the place in the meantime, that's your right, as long as it's clean at the end.

AlpacaPicnic · 11/08/2017 13:46

That's not being anal about housekeeping, that's being downright intrusive. You've booked a private apartment, you have an expectation of privacy.

I've used Airbnb a few times, most recently on a trip across America where I misread the details and was expecting a washing machine but there wasn't one. So I had to hand wash a load of clothes and hang them up to dry out. I wouldn't have been impressed if the host had commented on my impromptu pants bunting while I was out!

I won't - as a matter of principle - book anywhere that states 'No Shoes indoors' on the description. To me, that is the indicator that the apartment is not really set up for rental and the owner is more likely to be picking on small details.
Don't get me wrong, I leave my apartments clean and tidy, I'll strip the beds if they ask, I do my dishes and take out any rubbish... but I'm not going to spend a break worrying about stepping onto a carpet. I always take my shoes off indoors anyway, I just don't like being ordered to do so or suffer the consequences...

redjoker · 11/08/2017 13:56

Have used it a lot and all good experiences, I would leave a review, very odd she came in whilst you were there, Ive only ever been left to it. She sounds odd!

AlpacaLypse · 11/08/2017 13:59

The only poor experience I've had with Airbnb was in a place that had only 3 reviews, two positive and one a bit negative but not unduly so. The others all had lots of good reviews and were great.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 11/08/2017 14:00

You leave the bitch a bad review back OP !

It's life could you try a premier inn maybe ??

EllieHJ · 11/08/2017 14:01

I used to rent my studio as a private Airbnb. She should never have gone in to your private space. You should report that to Airbnb! Some people were great but some left things a tip at the end but during their stay it was none of my business!