Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
LatteLove · 29/07/2019 22:58

Or if she left you the key go and get a key cut and put on the machine about 20 times

PinkiOcelot · 29/07/2019 23:06

I’ve never heard anything like that. £5 seems really excessive too. The fact it was mentioned after booking is a disgrace!

I’m currently on holiday in Crete in an aparthotel. There’s a courtesy washing machine here and powder is provided. I’m going to mention this as a plus point in my review.

Anothertempusername · 29/07/2019 23:10

Absolutely slate that in your review!! How bizarre!!

daffydowndilys · 29/07/2019 23:11

Give her a tenners worth of 1p coins!!

SaxxedtotheMax · 29/07/2019 23:13

You must put it in the review!

TellerTuesday4EVA · 29/07/2019 23:14

We have a holiday let that sleeps 4, we've had it 3 years now & are booked 90% of the time & I can count on one hand the amount of guests that have actually used the washing machine, certainly wouldn't apply an additional charge.

PinkBlossomInSummer · 29/07/2019 23:19

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

😂😂 FFS! I know there’s a joke about us Scots being tight but this comment is ignorance at its best.

toddlermom · 29/07/2019 23:20

In Ireland holiday rentals this is totally normal!

They also often charge you for electricity etc per units used during visit.

Not saying I think it's a good thing, Just FYI!

squee123 · 29/07/2019 23:24

could you have cancelled if you wanted to and without charge when you got the confirmation email? If not it's even more of a piss take

Username9641 · 29/07/2019 23:31

You wouldn't think 5 quid would be worth her time and bother coming round each time you want to put some washing on!

PrimalLass · 30/07/2019 06:53

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

Why is it such a big deal if they do their washing? I wouldn't rent yours if there was a charge because it comes over as resenting people using the facilities.

Levatrice · 30/07/2019 06:58

why would you not just put an extra £3/4 on the price of the accommodation overall rather than put yourself though this grief every time someone wants to use the washing machine Hmm I get she wants to discourage use but surely half of guest won’t use it anyway? I would put on trip advisor review about the charge yes because it’s helpful for people about to book. What happens if she is away while someone is staying? Can’t they use at all?

Sparklingbrook · 30/07/2019 07:06

How odd. Seems like something has happened historically maybe.

I always use the washing machine daily at holiday rentals and never had to pay extra.

Why does she not charge for the TV/Oven etc?

stucknoue · 30/07/2019 07:35

Stayed in dozens of self catering places, never been charged for laundry. Tell her you will be leaving a negative review if you are charged

wowfudge · 30/07/2019 07:54

Why would you be worried about one nighters doing all their washing on the way home? If I hadn't had the opportunity and thought I could get things dry before packing, it's exactly what I'd do and why I book places with a washing machine, so I can use it! If you don't want people to use the washing machine then remove it. Bonkers.

RainOrSun · 30/07/2019 07:56

To those saying it's ok because it's in the booking confirmation, will you come stay with me?
I'm advertising a beautiful cottage in a glorious tourist place. Included, linen, towels, washing machine, dishwasher, wifi. £30 per night. Brill. You've booked. Cool. Right, the wifi is £1/mb, dishwasher and washing machine £5 per run, plus 50p for a tablet. Towels are £2 each. Linen is £7 per single, £10 per double. What do you mean you aren't happy?

It's ok to charge. It's not ok to hide it in the details after someone has committed to it.

QueenofLouisiana · 30/07/2019 08:02

Definitely not a Scottish thing! I stayed in a rental property near Glasgow last week and was able to use the washing machine with no charge. The owner even left a collection of washing pods in case we didn’t bring our own, same for the dishwasher.

I’d mention it in the reviews. Air bnb do my head in with this sort of thing- the extortionate cleaning fees added on just as you are about to book (£30 a night for a single room?!).

woodhill · 30/07/2019 08:14

Can you keep hold of the key till you go and leave £5 when you leave and use the washing machine.

fedup21 · 30/07/2019 08:26

So, the Airbnb listing lists the property has having a washing machine but there’s no mention of a charge? Then, when you book and pay, the charge is only then mentioned in the email?

I think that’s really cheeky!

I would complain to Airbnb and write an honest review. Can owners remove reviews??

DobbyTheHouseElk · 30/07/2019 08:34

I think Airbnb ask the guest to review first, then the owner reviews after they’ve read yours, so the guest could get a negative review as well. Which isn’t good for future bookings,

Elphame · 30/07/2019 14:03

Pointless complaining to AirBnB as the OP says she booked via booking.com.

There is no facility for guest reviews there so a bad review won't have any comeback on the OP but will hit the owners star rating and subsequent visibility.

MiniMum97 · 30/07/2019 14:11

That is not acceptable at all. It should be in the listing. I would def leave it in the review so others know and complain to Air BNB.

fussychica · 30/07/2019 14:20

Even if it had been Airbnb both the owner and the renter do their reviews blind. You only get to see each others review when they have both been completed.

If the charge isn't made clear at the time of booking that is really false advertising and I would definitely mention it in your review so others aren't caught out.

I have stayed in odd places where electricity is charged extra to the rental fee via a meter reading but that has always been made clear from the outset (we have been told this is done basically to stop people leaving aircon on day and night, often without even closing windows or doors).

ImTheCaddy · 30/07/2019 14:32

Wow. That's actually batshit crazy. I'm a host and that wouldn't even vaguely occur to me.

Definitely leave that in your review.

If it's Airbnb then all she can do is reply to your feedback and if it's booking.com she can't do anything.

Other potential guests need to know about this!

Fae1989 · 31/07/2019 15:46

Definitely find launderette. That’s extortionate. A nominal amount maybe but even then, including it in an Air BnB listing, it should be included.

I’d definitely mention to her in the feedback!