AIR BNB AGGGGH

[lsfowler]

I have recently moved to a new city. I am currently staying in airbnbs so I can look for houses that are nice/not rush into things etc !

Anyway, I booked into one yesterday. Picture showed a bright spacious room. All good I thought. I arrived to a basement flat - which was not indicated on the listing. Further, the room had a small window (maybe 50cm/50cm) so was very dark (on reflection the pictures showed a massive light in the corner of the room that had been removed). The walls were damp, and there was bugs/webs throughout the room. The room was also connected to a kitchen (and there had been cooking of meat which makes me, personally, uncomfortable as I am veggie - no hate here, just that I don't want my room to smell like it!). My heart literally sank. This room was very expensive per night, over 200 for three nights plus charges.

She also said the room was not ready yet so I'd have to come back, despite the fact that I told her 2 days before I would be there at the specified time.

I panicked and walked out, messaging her saying the room was not as advertised and I was unhappy that her listing was misleading. I have read her reviews and they are similar complaints!! She has not contacted me about a refund or anything - it's a lot of money! I've contacted her through AirBnB and paypal, but no reply. I have also contacted AirBnB but no reply

AIBU to expect a refund and am I likely to get one?!

YANBU but I wouldn't hold out hope

I think there's a facility in the Airbnb resolution centre to request a refund. I did this - they tried to offer me a $100 voucher- but I pushed and pushed and eventually emailed their complaints team and got an apology and full refund

thanks @Hospitaldramafamily - what did you need a refund for if you dont mind me asking?

I didn't have time to take photos as my phone was out of battery and I just wanted to be out of there.

This is your own doing. You didn't read reviews before booking? Surely that's the most important thing when booking. Reviews.

You're in the wrong and I wouldn't be refunding you if I was her, simply for you not going by the reviews other had left since you stated most were complaining about it being misleading

The landlady had said there was just one keyholder - her co-host who had let me in. Turns out her brother had a key; found him there one day when I got home - and he'd stored drugs there. I got no help at all from Airbnb but I really pushed it. In your case I would do the same

You should have taken photos. Even so, you should be able to get this sorted quickly through the Airbnb resolution centre.
Did you not check the reviews before you booked?

It stated in the profile that there was just one key holder so it wasn't as advertised. But Airbnb were so bad at first- I rang there helpline and got told that I was over reacting and the woman was sure safety wasn't an issue. I called the police non-emergency line and they said they'd come out to search the place and they found the drugs

@Bimgy85

The reviews were from 2015 a while back - but her replies said she had fitted a dehumidifier in the room to stop the damp.

There was no mention of the darkness, the lack of cleanliness or the proximity to the kitchen or other guests.

I am constantly shocked at the state of some places people are happy to make money off.

My heart literally sank.

I wouldn't worry - surely you'll be an inpatient in coronary care for at least a few days. That should buy you time to find somewhere else.

Regardless of what the 'host' said on her biography thing, always go by the reviews regardless if the lasts were 2015 or not. Now you know I suppose

I thought the money wasn't released to the host until 24 hours after arrival in case things like this happen. Airbnb are normally quite good at resolving disputes. Is there a number you can call instead of waiting for their reply?