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...

Norovirus is still contagious a few days after recovery.

OP I’m sorry your child is sick, but in my view you are not an appropriate Airbnb host (and I use them a lot, and have for years).

I don’t think I’m in any way unusual, but when I research Airbnb rentals - or hotels for that matter - a huge lot of factors go into my final decision. No two flats are exactly comparable. I weigh lots of variables in my head or on paper before deciding on one. How close to the nearest station? How far from supermarket? How nice are the bathrooms? Is it likely to be noisy? Etc.

Cancelling at the last minute can be extremely stressful for your guests. Some years ago I had an eleventh hour cancellation on a two week stay I had booked in another country. I literally stayed up all night sending begging emails to lots of owners asking for a last minute place to stay. But by that stage we couldn’t find any accommodation available for two weeks, and suitable for toddlers. We ended up having to move half way through our stay, as we couldn’t find one place with two week availability. It was super stressful and we ended up paying way more for inferior accommodation.

I think you should get off Airbnb for a while. Don’t list your property until you feel secure you won’t be overwhelmed by normal day to day life (such as a child having a vomiting bug - hardly a ‘hold the front page ‘ event, even though I appreciate it’s an ordeal and stressful to deal with.)

I would be very pleased if you explained the circumstances to me and cancelled the booking, if I were the guest.

*Ironically renting through Airbnb is equally stressful for the host.

The guest can cancel up to a week before for a full refund. Which you may well not get back.

They have by far the shittest cancellation policies of any rental site.

Homeaway and VRBO are much safer in that regard*

Unfortuately, I agree, Tatiana.

I have been doing this professionally for almost 30 years (since the days when I used to put an ad for holiday properties in The Times!)

Holiday Rentals was great when it started - you could ring up and speak to the owner. Then they were eaten up, along with all the smaller organisations.

IME, they all have their disadvantages (HA rip off guests with their 'service fee') - but Air BnB are the worst of the lot. And they disguise it with all this guff about 'reaching out' and 'inclusivity'. They are in fact as sharkish as anything. I mostly let via HA, TripAdvisor, local agency, and directly with returning guests.

Just an update: I didn’t cancel, the guests have checked in all ok. I paid my cleaner to clean an extra 90mins on top of her 3 hours (and she knew about the sick child beforehand too and wasn’t put off).

I calmed down!

I think I’m going to quit being a host now though. It’s too stressful.

Well done OP, you did a good thing for your guests.

A PP asked if my partner was also pulling his hair out to get it all ready, look after kids, do his job etc. Nope, he has an out-of-home job (I work from home) so everything always falls on me!

Anyway, it’s all done now. You were right, I wasn’t thinking about the guests at all, I was deep in a very selfish, about to explode zone. I calmed down and sorted it out. Thought I was going to explode yesterday, though!

Pretty sure I won’t contaminate the guests, the house was absolutely sparkling. And I don’t think DC has anything particularly contagious since sibling didn’t get it / DH and I didn’t get it. (Yet! Eek.)

We’ve arrived at in-law’s (they’re not here until tomorrow), sick child lots better today. Pass me a glass of .

Well done OP. It sounds really tough but it was totally the right thing to do. I hope you get your karmic reward!

Enjoy your well deserved break OP . You done the right thing.

Please cancel. I'd be furious about being unknowingly exposed to a vomiting bug.

Well done OP!

Well done, OP!
And yes, being an Airbnb host sounds very stressful to me as well... Couldn't do it tbh.

Unless I had an entirely separate apartment to rent, I guess. But even then... Nope, not for me. Unless I'd somehow have to, I guess.
Here, you deserve it.

HolidayLettings

I guess it was inevitable given the success of those sites that the owners would squeeze as much cash out as they can - the service charges piss me off, but I can pass that on to the guests on big properties. It’s smaller properties that suffer. The Airbnb service fee is higher than HA.

Wow I would absolutely want you to cancel if it was my booking.

They will almost definitely catch the Norovirus if they do stay so definitely cancel but say why and that it's contagious.

lilabet2

you might want to read the thread before commenting?

Good on you for sticking with it and admitting you weren't thinking straight, OP. You've restored my faith in Airbnbers!

You have earned your wine! Have a fab rest.

Yes I did read it after posting TheMuppetShow. I still think it should have been cancelled as most sickness bugs really are very contagious and if they contract it it will likely ruin their break/holiday. Oh well!

I'm the opposite to Saraclara, this would absolutely put me off AirBnB.

Oh just to add most sickness bugs are contagious for at least 10 days and as much as a month on contaminated surfaces (door handles, taps, loo flushes, remote controls etc.) and only destroyed by bleach.

Problems of the middle class always seem to be solved with a bottle of 🍷......or a plate of hummus .

You've no idea what happens in a hotel room before you stay in it... the op had it deep cleaned. The guests will be fine, she's done the right thing.

In my youth I worked as a hotel maid.

People who are squeamish about accommodation where a kid has had a bit of D&V should never stay in hotels

*Ironically renting through Airbnb is equally stressful for the host.

The guest can cancel up to a week before for a full refund. Which you may well not get back

They have by far the shittest cancellation policies of any rental site

This is completely incorrect. I quick browse will show you that there’s a range of different cancellation policies, from moderate to very strict, hosts can choose the policy that suits them best.