AIBU To want to take this further?

[KarmaStar]

Hello,
Recently family friend with health issues went to visit very ill family member .Booked a go!today cottage via a well known holiday cottage rental company.took all spare money.(relevant).
On arrival property found to be filthy in several areas.fridge full of yellow sticky substances and black hairs stuck to them,pubic hair in shower,insect infestation in one bedroom rendering the room unusable.they complained straight away and continually for entire week to holiday company who took no action.
They needed to visit relative and could not afford alternative accommodation so cleaned areas they would use.
On return home,rental company have offered a paltry £25.00 refund and said case was closed and if any photos posted online they would sue my friend.
On her behalf,(with her agreement)with to take this further?
They said they felt uncomfortable in the dirty surroundings and could not relax and were constantly cleaning.acknowledge they died stay,but if not had I'll relative,would have left the night they arrived.however they didnt,so they don't expect all their money back but to be threatened and dismissed by rental company seems wrong.owner of cottage extremely nasty in a personal email.wwyd?please🌸

I would definitely take it further. That looks disgusting. I don't think they can sue you for posting photos online! Trip advisor is full of similar photos.

That is vile!

Logically speaking, they haven't exactly helped their case by staying there for an entire week. That being said, according to www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/my-self-catering-accommodation-isnt-what-i-was-promised-what-can-i-do:

"If you book self-catering accommodation in the UK, after the 1 October 2015 you have some protection from the Consumer Rights Act.

Both require the property owner or holiday company to provide the accommodation with reasonable care and skill, therefore you should expect the accommodation to be clean and safe.

In addition to the protection provided by the both acts, you're also entitled to the accommodation promised and as it was described to you.

So if you were told the cottage you rented offers air conditioning or a heated pool and you turn up and the pool hasn't been built yet, you would be entitled to compensation."

You might also be able to claim against your credit card company according to this:

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-claim-if-your-holiday-accommodation-was-not-as-promised