A few months ago my friend booked accommodation in an Airbnb apartment for myself and two others. We were on a course this weekend.
The course was cancelled a few days ago because the leader has had to self isolate.
Our Airbnb host has informed my friend that as her cancellation policy is strict that she won’t issue a refund or let her change the date of the booking. She advised her to cancel saying that if she could rebook the dates she would give her a refund. We think this is unlikely.
Airbnb themselves say that as there are no travel restrictions in force in the UK, this is down to the host’s discretion. They won’t intervene. My friend has tried calling them several times to try and see if she can get someone different who will help with no luck. She’s also messaged the host who now won’t respond. When she calls her she simply hangs up.
My friends and I are down over £200 each.
By the way I’m a host myself. I also use a strict cancellation policy.I always warn my guests of this before they reserve and should have told my friend to check the policy before she booked. I didn’t think of that so am prepared to eat the loss.
Anyway please keep safe and don’t get caught out if you plan on using airbnb in the near future.