To be annoyed at this airbnb booking?

[brentlondon]

Booked this flat 8 months ago as this area is very in demand and is stunning. Made sure it was just what we wanted and paid over the odds to ensure we got it. One criterion was that it should have a swimming pool overlooking the view.

Now, one week before we go just had a message saying that the pool is now unusable due to some rules and regs and is off limits! I'm sorry, what ??!!!! The pool in itself makes the property a heck of a lot more to rent than one without.

We have 2 days to cancel to get a full refund. We would consider not cancelling if nothing else is available but would expect a good discount.

I'm just really annoyed as it seems nothing else is available that ticks the boxes. Grr

Have you contacted to discuss this with the owners?

Yes, owners just want us to enjoy the property as it is. Offered no discount.

It's a breach of contract surely? The flat is not as described. You are paying for an amenity that you aren't able to use.
I'd ask for a discount.

Notify Airbnb. They’ll probably offer you a refund.

If swimming pool is ticked on the amenities list, Airbnb will give you a substantial discount, the host must provide all of the amenities stated. The discount will be at least 25%, possibly more speak to Airbnb.

Thank you, shall send another message.

We are scared that they’ll react badly and cancel our booking and leave us with nothing.

Many of the properties have almost doubled in price since we originally booked !

Don't message them again just raise an issue with Airbnb and get them to resolve it direct with the owners.

its a risk when you book with Airbnb and any other independent booking sites that owners are suddenly going to pull a fast one.

they must have known the pool would be out of bounds. what reason have they given for this? what rules and regulations?

under the owners contract with Airbnb they are required to comply with all the laws of the country they are based in. so if the pool is off limits because they haven't met the standards set in that country then the owner has breached their contract with Airbnb.

Has their listing changed? does it now not mention the pool?

I would be really suspicious of this OP. I think that they have put that they have a pool to ensure that people book with them and then notify them of it when there is little chance of finding a decent alternative so its a fait accompli.

what they should be doing is finding you equivalent accommodation and paying the difference. but they wont.

so you need to decide. do you kick up a fuss and pay extra/take a lesser standard of accommodation or do you just keep quiet and suck it up.

whatever you do decide once the holiday is over make sure you post honest reviews not just on Airbnb but on tripadvisor and any other site you can find to warn others.

Hi all,

Spoke to 4 different airbnb people on the phone to try and get some sort of sense. None really were that helpful. Not sure they quite understood.

Some advised us that basically a refund and find our own was the only option. One said to go and then complain. The other said that this would not solve anything as the lister has previously emailed us to inform. One chap did say that if we put in a dispute claim then they may be able to claim more money off the owner to ensure that we'd be able to get something suitable.

Airbnb owner claims that not having a pool doesn't de-value their listing, and is quite rude about it.

Looked at hotels instead and they're minimum +35% of what we paid and then without the possibility to self cater to save money. Argh

Oh gosh what a shame :(

I think I'd cancel on principle so they didn't get a penny of my money.

Of course a house with a private pool is worth more than one without - they are being silly and obtuse to say otherwise.

That’s really annoying - but it’s not their fault if there’s a genuine reason the pool can’t be available. It’s AirBnB, not a hotel - that’s the environment you’re in.

I think as a matter of principle they should reduce the price.

But if all the prices in the area have gone up as you say (as it’s now a short notice booking) then I expect they’re not lying or wrong about it being comparable in price. That’s the price NOW.

I do think they should drop the price - but not all people on AirBnB are raking it in - the problem with the pool may have seriously dented their income and they need to maximise the income.

It’s still a shitty situation for you though