Would I be unreasonable to cancel on an Airbnb guest arriving tomorrow?

[Abouttogonuts]

I’m about to explode with stress. Got a sick child (been cleaning up vomit all day) and another child on half term. We’re going away tomorrow to stay with in-laws and putting our place on Airbnb (as we usually do when we go away).

Got a cleaner coming of course, but haven’t been able to organise or do anything because of sick child, other child on half term. (I usually lock up one room with all our valuables, but haven’t been able to start doing that yet.)

And there is laundry coming out of my ears!

Also behind on the one day of work I had to do this week (yesterday but couldn’t because of said sick child).

I know I’d get fined by Airbnb, but would I be unreasonable to cancel on guest? We live in London, there is other availability locally. Though pricier for less nice (making me also think I undercharge!).

If we cancelled, I’d go to in-laws’ a bit later this week, when sick child is better, and stick the telly on for him tomorrow to properly sort the place out and finish my work...

YWBU. If you don't have a plan b to deal with short term emergencies then don't be on airbnb. It's cancellations like this that have put me right off and sent me back to standard hotels.

Also, you have no idea why theyre coming to London. Its not just travel they'd lose out on, you'd potentially effect their work too.

If I were that family, I would want to know about the vomiting bug. I wouldn't stay there if I did; it will be germ-ridden, unless you bleach everything your son has touched, or unless they arrive a few days from now.

Yes it’d be unfair; it’s not the persons fault

I hope everything returns to normal soon

I'd be so glad that a host contacted me and told me that the house had a bug. I'd much rather arrange last minute accommodation than end up with my family poorly for a week while on holiday.

While I understand why most PP are suggesting to the OP that she tries to find alternative accommodation for her guests, I think she is already severely stressed as it is.

OP - just let them know and apologise profusely. There isn't any more you can do if you want to preserve your mental health.

I hope your DD gets better soon.

If you did this to me, I would be mightily pissed off, but would accept that it probably had to be done. However, considering the extreme late notice, I would also expect to be in no way inconvenienced or out of pocket - so I'd be looking to you to find me an alternative of equal standard, meeting whatever my original requirements were, and making up any increase in price.

I’ve had to do it before when DD had chickenpox - however I offered the guest the choice and would have hosted if they preferred to come. I also contacted Airbnb at the same time, and they not only didn’t fine me but also helped my guest find alternative accommodation. I felt terrible letting the guest down but would probably have felt worse if their child got ill because I didn’t let them know. Talk to Airbnb and see what they say.

While I understand why most PP are suggesting to the OP that she tries to find alternative accommodation for her guests, I think she is already severely stressed as it is.

Surely some of that stress is because she is expected the guests tomorrow. I think she should contact them immediately and help them to find a new place.

I would be so pissed off it's unreal. You are stressed so are passing it on. It's not fair to do it at this late notice. You could explain the situation to the guests and let them decide.

I actually don't understand people who Airbnb their own houses and go away. It is a recipe for disaster, its surely never convenient to move all your stuff out into another room and have the stress of having people potentially damage your family home. Each to their own I suppose.

How do you air bnb your own home? What about all your clothes/jewellery etc? All your things? How do you know they won't be nicked?

Yanbu.

Yes it will be a massive inconvenience for them but I think it’s a valid reason. If I was cancelled on due to a vomiting bug 🕷 n the property, I’d be annoyed by the inconvenience but pleased I’d be avoiding the germs! I’d also have empathy for you and your dc!

I think you're massively missing the point that if there has been an episode of D&V, then the place will be need to be quarantined for 48 hrs after the last incident of D or V.

It would be hugely irresponsible for you to let your place to this family - I'd be absolutely horrified to arrive and discover that yesterday the place had been covered in vomit!

It neatly solves your problem though OP - just be straight with them about the D&V situation and they'll almost certainly cancel saving you having to let them down.

I'm assuming you have insurance to cover eventualities like this?

This is an Airbnb users worst nightmare. Are they coming from abroad or UK based?

Yabvu

You're stressed out because you haven't packed

So you want to make another family incredibly stressed by cancelling their half term plans at 10pm the night before?!?! Wtf?!?!

Oh gosh I’d pay money not to stay in the same space that a vomiting child had been in hours previously. I wouldn’t be angry at all if you just explained that and if you could prove a link to a couple of similar places in the same(ish) price bracket that would be much appreciated.

This is what pisses me off about Air BnB. It enables absolutely anyone to think they can rent out a house/room/whatever as a holiday property.

Renting out holiday properties is a business, not a hobby or a bit of money on the side (ask HMRC!). You enter into a contract with the guests. You are providing a service, and you damn well provide it (if you are in the business), come Hell or high water. If you can't provide it due to some completely freak and unavoidable event, such as your property being struck by lightning, you accommodate your guests elsewhere.

That said, OP, you would be right to cancel because nobody wants to stay in a vomitous house. And I think you should do as you suggest, and leave holiday lettings to people who do it for a living.

On this score, OP, what's your Air BnB cancellation policy?

How the hell are they going to find something else at this point? They probably won't even get your message until the morning.

You simply cannot cancel this late.

If you do cancel, I think you need to accept that being an Airbnb host isn't for you. Of course it's stressful getting a house ready - but that's what you get paid for.

For those saying they would be grateful not to stay in a house with sickness, firstly I assume OP will be cleaning surfaces and handles before they leave and also if only one member of household has the bug then it doesn't seem that contagious.

Realistically yes you have to at least tell the guests the situation so they can make an informed choice but with this late notice I’d be expecting you to make good the extra costs. Why you didn’t cancel yesterday when your DC got sick is beyond me.

I wouldn't want to stay in an air bnb where someone had been sick.. so no cancel

How would you feel if you and your children had holiday plans for half term and these plans disappeared last minute?

Please cancel. I would rather have the inconvenience of finding an alternative than stay in a house where there has been a vomiting child.