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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...about laundry at this holiday let?

141 replies

SadieContrary · 29/07/2019 17:37

When we travel, we opt to rent a house/apartment via booking.com or Air B&B due to having a DC. Main reasons being that we don't have to be quiet when they go to bed at night as they're in a separate room plus we always have laundry as we are away for weeks at a time.
Checked into latest place and went to use the washing machine and there's a note from the owner to message her if we want to use it Confused she will then come and switch it on and it's £5 a load.
Now apparently this info was in the original listing. Not really. Original listing states about washing machine. Charge/switch on not detailed til the confirmation email was sent after payment made.
Anyway, has anyone else come across this? I think it's ridiculous but don't want to include it in my review of the place if majority think it's fine? This would be approx the 20th place we've rented and never come across this.
Thanks for letting me 'air my dirty laundry' Grin

OP posts:
HUZZAH212 · 29/07/2019 19:57

Does the £5 include using the dryer as they can be pricey on electric (not a fivers worth though). Maybe negotiate and say; £1 for the washer, 30p for a wash pod if she provides them, and you'll line dry. If she tries to come back with no it's a flat £5 I'd ask for a cost breakdown as she's probably including her petrol there and back to switch it on. C.F. 😂

Willow2017 · 29/07/2019 20:41

Might be a cultural thing in Scotland, I don’t know.

Clearly you dont!
WTF has using a washing machine got to do with Scottish culture?
Its Scotland not Outer Mongolia (although I am sure they wouldnt be cfs charging for the washing machine either.)

Never been charged for using a washing machine in any place other than in hotels abroad. I would ask for a price breakdown too, bet she cant. It should have been in the details on her advert not slipped in once you have booked and she has your money.

camelfinger · 29/07/2019 20:47

This is cheeky. I would probably do about 3-4 loads in a week’s stay. It would also piss me off having to get the owner round to switch it in (even if that was free). If you felt awkward about putting it in your review (and I think you should) then just state the facts objectively so that others can make a decision (it would definitely stop me from booking).

SauvignonBlanche · 29/07/2019 20:48

How stingy!

MyOtherProfile · 29/07/2019 20:54

Definitely feed back to air BnB.

thebear1 · 29/07/2019 20:55

What if you like to do your washing at midnight? Is she willing to pop round then? It's not just the cost but having to involve someone else when you want to use the machine.

JugsAndSoap · 29/07/2019 20:58

I've used over 20 Airbnb apartments in 12 different countries and I've NEVER come across this before, that's mental. Ask her outright when she comes to switch it on what you are getting for your £5 and why it's so high. At least that way you've given her the opportunity to feel suitably embarrassed before you leave a negative review.

Undercoverdetective · 29/07/2019 20:59

Oops. Rethinking my new Airbnb listing now as it seems pretty unanimous a charge puts people off. I was worried about 1 nighters doing all their holiday washing on the way home so I put a charge. I was planning to waive the charge for reasonable use if families were using it as a holiday base. Airbnb puts it as a chargeable extra so thought it would be common.

greenwaterbottle · 29/07/2019 21:01

Just make it's clear it's a chargeable extra first.

sneakypinky · 29/07/2019 21:01

Cheeky as fuck. I'd definitely mention it when reviewing.

Jamiefraserskilt · 29/07/2019 21:03

This is a primary advantage with kids. Telling you afterwards is not right. They should be straight at the point if advertising or listing.

LaDameAuxLicornes · 29/07/2019 21:06

It's ridiculous and tight, however I'm not sure you can actually say that she's misdescribed it if the AirBnB definition on the listing is "washing machine available (free or for a fee)"?

moobar · 29/07/2019 21:12

@Undercoverdetective I think that's reasonable for short stays.

I'm confused at the op wording re we opt to book a house, apartment due to having DC plus we always have laundry as away for weeks at a time.

What does that mean?? I'm maybe being sleep deprived silly but I would say I'm in self catering house and they want to charge for washing, aibu?

OP do you mean you are travelling endlessly, booking somewhere for one night and want to do all the washing?

Anyway, short stays fine for a charge, like caravan sites etc. Normal week self catering, not reasonable.

Scotland thing, just offensive really and ridiculous.

MaybeitsMaybelline · 29/07/2019 21:13

Tight as . No way would I pay a fiver a wash using a domestic machine. It’s £4 in the launderette and you can wash the equivalent of two loads.

I would leave a review pointing it out, so other tenants can choose whether they wish to stay there.

Original poster
SadieContrary · 29/07/2019 21:27

We are here for 5 days. I'll do 2 loads max and didn't intend to use the dryer (hence why I'd been watching the weather and tomorrow looks positive)

This particular let us through booking.com

Under amenities/facilities it lists washing machine/dryer. That's all it says. When we arrived I noticed the sign and it said it was part of the agreement. The agreement being the booking confirmation we received after payment.

We have been travelling across Scotland to see our family and friends (we live overseas and are back for a holiday)

The Scotland comment makes no sense to me as this is predominantly where we rent on this basis and I've never come across it before.

I've asked the lady for the key and she wanted to come around to drop it off but we weren't home. Returned to find it on the mat. I'll do the two loads and leave the tenner.

Afterwards I'll leave a factual but polite review making other renters aware.

It's a shame too as it's a really lovely property and this has put me off coming back here

OP posts:
FunkySnidge · 29/07/2019 21:32

This is terrible! I would never choose to stay somewhere where the wm was restricted or subject to extortionate charges. A child holiday essential!
Definitely put it in your review and point out to her that this restriction was not in the ad or description and that you would not have been happy with it had you know before booking. Do it for future guests omit nothing else!

DurexCertified · 29/07/2019 21:35

Not that I'm a petty minded irritable sod all the time... But I would do any or all of the following if possible:

Knock them for the £5, wash everything in sight; curtains, throws, bedding, duvets, the works. Forget to return the key when you return and wash the neighbour's and street's stuff.

Do you have a screwdriver? Find the lowest rated fuse in the house and swap it with the WM one. Is it next to a dishwasher? Swap in the inlet hoses or cross fees the inlets and outlets if they match.

HUZZAH212 · 29/07/2019 21:51

Don't leave a tenner leave £5 as you're not using the dryer.

willstarttomorrow · 29/07/2019 21:53

OP like you when I rent an apartment I look for a washing machine to save on packing and luggage. I would not have an issue if it was advertised at an extra cost (and would probably booked elsewhere if available). The fact an extra cost is not listed is not okay. If you have used booking.com they are far more professional than airbnb so complain about the listing and leave a balanced review. Airbnb are to be avoided unless there is no alternative. In my experience by the time you add on extra costs and dealt with amateur owners or chancers it is one of the most expensive ways to book an apartment and no garantee that what you get resembles the listing.

CluelessAboutClothes · 29/07/2019 21:56

I would expect her to do the washing for me at that price!

reluctantbrit · 29/07/2019 22:00

I have come across this in Germany a lot. Or ally you have to fill in a sheet and a tally is made when you hand over the keys at the end of the stay.

I have seen this happen if there is a complex of ho,i day let’s, so one utility room with two machines and two dryers.

Tbh, I am not to bothered, I only wash in emergencies so I may did one or two loads in 2 weeks when DD was small and it is easier getting stains out instead of waiting until we are home.

Lochroy · 29/07/2019 22:02

This is ridiculous, unless the listing states something like 'coin operated washing machine'.

@SadieContrary make sure you ask her for a receipt for your £10 and when you get home, complain to booking.com about the inaccurate listing, and ask for a refund for your £10.

GruffaIo · 29/07/2019 22:41

I own a holiday let in Scotland. We have an honesty box for the landline phone, which is necessary because mobile reception is poor, though we do suggest people use wifi calling. People never pay what the calls cost; 'local' bookings are the worst for this, so perhaps your host has been similarly stung? Though the charge does seem excessive. Access to the washer / dryer at our place is free and included. We also include laundry tablets.

Thehop · 29/07/2019 22:47

I purposely book places with a washer and this would really throw me, definitely include it in your review!

LatteLove · 29/07/2019 22:55

Might be a cultural thing in Scotland, I don’t know

Wtaf?

Clue: it isn’t.

OP I’d definitely leave a bad review, and either find a launderette or make sure you pay her in a mix of 1 and 2 p pieces.