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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Email from property owner - room cancelled for refugees

380 replies

DuvetHugger · 04/04/2022 16:03

I booked holiday accommodation last year for this coming June in Scotland. They allow pets so this was the main pull for us. We have booked tickets for a big gig taking place there and are travelling from south of the UK.

I just received this email from them:

"We have applied to use the barn for Ukranian refugees. if it's not a problem for you can you please cancel free of charge"

I replied saying we have booked some activities etc and is she sure the place wont be available at that time, we booked 8 months ago and her response was:

"No you need to book something else sorry".

AIBU in thinking this is rude?? Obviously, I have nothing against them housing refugees but I am a bit taken aback.

AIBU to be pissed off or AIBU for my first world problems when there are families to house?

Surely she would see a diary of full bookings and think "I am not yet in a position to use the barn to house others, but will stop taking bookings now to enable myself to do so at a later date"?

OP posts:
Theluggage15 · 04/04/2022 23:43

Nowomen has probably the same number of refugees staying as the property owner does - big fat zero.

a1poshpaws · 04/04/2022 23:44

I know the refugees need housing - I'd offer some myself if I had a spare room - but it's not fair to cancel an 8 month old booking. If you paid a deposit, you may be able to sue her for breach of contract in the Small Claims Court. And perhaps also for the costs of more expensive accommodation if that's what you end up having to get at this late stage.

What area of Scotland is her place? I only ask as if it's Aberdeenshire I could point you in the direction of really nice dog friendly chalets (fenced outside area, plus fields, plus riverside walks etc.) which my lovely Farrier and his wife opened up last year near Turriff.

If you would like the website URL for his chalets, just message me. I don't want to put it in the thread in case it looks like I'm advertising.

Sswhinesthebest · 04/04/2022 23:49

Yup, ma me her family cancel.

Joystir59 · 04/04/2022 23:51

@a1poshpaws

I know the refugees need housing - I'd offer some myself if I had a spare room - but it's not fair to cancel an 8 month old booking. If you paid a deposit, you may be able to sue her for breach of contract in the Small Claims Court. And perhaps also for the costs of more expensive accommodation if that's what you end up having to get at this late stage.

What area of Scotland is her place? I only ask as if it's Aberdeenshire I could point you in the direction of really nice dog friendly chalets (fenced outside area, plus fields, plus riverside walks etc.) which my lovely Farrier and his wife opened up last year near Turriff.

If you would like the website URL for his chalets, just message me. I don't want to put it in the thread in case it looks like I'm advertising.

I've got two spare rooms and have not applied for refugees to live with me because I wouldn't cope with complete strangers sharing my personal space, cooking in my kitchen, etc. And I'd be furious if my holiday accommodation got cancelled as the OP's has been.
grapewines · 04/04/2022 23:51

@Nowomenaroundeh

Vile responses here. I just watched footage of a woman standing over the homemade Garde grave of her daughter. There was an ordinary blanket to mark it. Change your holiday plans and get over yourself.
Wars have been going on for all my life somewhere in the world. Children die in wars. It's awful and devastating. Obviously.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't be disappointed in OP'S place.

Where was all this concern for the Syrian refugees?

HollowedOut · 04/04/2022 23:55

Myself and quite a few other holiday property owners in the town I live in are doing similar. I haven’t cancelled any bookings yet as I’m currently waiting on visas and based on the amount that either need to be reapplied, are delayed for unknown reasons or the people choose to go elsewhere it seems a bit premature at the moment. My next booking isn’t for 7 weeks so hopefully I’ll find out either way before that. I’ve spoken to the agency I work through and they’re more than happy to arrange alternative accommodation as bookings are really low this year compared to the last few. If you’ve booked through an agency I’m sure they’ll sort you out with a suitable alternative.

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 05/04/2022 00:09

I've read most of the replies on here and I do think the bnb owner needs to cancel. If she refused I would certainly take screenshot and let the company know. Good luck getting it sorted OP

BoredZelda · 05/04/2022 01:08

What area of Scotland is her place? I only ask as if it's Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire unlikely to be hosting a big gig!

I’m going to guess it is BigTop in Edinburgh.

Booklover3 · 05/04/2022 01:58

It doesn’t make sense because she’s asking you to cancel. That’s what gives me warning. Something isn’t right.

Fair enough if she wants to take in refugees and I would applaud her for that… but she needs to cancel - not you.

Usingit · 05/04/2022 05:43

I sometimes wonder how it happens when you read stories in the paper of people being conned out of their life savings by the most blatant scams ever - then I read comments on threads like this and with the sheer number of unbelievably gullible fools commenting about how kind it is of the owner to help these poor refugees, it suddenly becomes clear.

Agree

Usingit · 05/04/2022 05:54

@HollowedOut

Myself and quite a few other holiday property owners in the town I live in are doing similar. I haven’t cancelled any bookings yet as I’m currently waiting on visas and based on the amount that either need to be reapplied, are delayed for unknown reasons or the people choose to go elsewhere it seems a bit premature at the moment. My next booking isn’t for 7 weeks so hopefully I’ll find out either way before that. I’ve spoken to the agency I work through and they’re more than happy to arrange alternative accommodation as bookings are really low this year compared to the last few. If you’ve booked through an agency I’m sure they’ll sort you out with a suitable alternative.
If you read the thread you will see that the agency hasn't done anything. Surely you are not going to tell your bookings to cancel the holiday themselves are you when you are the one doing the cancelling. OP could end up losing her deposit if she cancels herself, you can't just believe that someone will refund in full just because they say they will.
BeepBoopBop · 05/04/2022 06:51

I think she has had an enquiry for a longer booking. I wouldn't cancel, I would let her sweat.

In the meantime, there is a Facebook group called Last Minute Pet and Dog Friendly Cottages so you could try there...

BeepBoopBop · 05/04/2022 06:59

@HollowedOut

Myself and quite a few other holiday property owners in the town I live in are doing similar. I haven’t cancelled any bookings yet as I’m currently waiting on visas and based on the amount that either need to be reapplied, are delayed for unknown reasons or the people choose to go elsewhere it seems a bit premature at the moment. My next booking isn’t for 7 weeks so hopefully I’ll find out either way before that. I’ve spoken to the agency I work through and they’re more than happy to arrange alternative accommodation as bookings are really low this year compared to the last few. If you’ve booked through an agency I’m sure they’ll sort you out with a suitable alternative.

Well you need to cancel your bookings now then. Are you seriously saying your guests, who may have booked your cottage for a specific reason, proximity to family, facilities, layout, access, can just hope for an acceptable alternative? That is bloody rude and perhaps you should give up hospitality and rent your property out on ASTs in future.

It's great that you want to help refugees, but some of your about to be screwed over guests are key workers or guests who desperately need their first holiday after a two year lock down.

Aug12 · 05/04/2022 07:50

@a1poshpaws I think we may have the same farrier lol Is his name Graham by any chance?

What’s happened it not acceptable. It’s lovely that she wishes to host refugees but she should has gone about it in the wrong manner. She should have honoured all bookings and opened up to refugees after those pre-booked dates.. or at the very least she should of been apologetic for letting you down and refunded any monies paid.

notanothertakeaway · 05/04/2022 08:01

@HollowedOut

Myself and quite a few other holiday property owners in the town I live in are doing similar. I haven’t cancelled any bookings yet as I’m currently waiting on visas and based on the amount that either need to be reapplied, are delayed for unknown reasons or the people choose to go elsewhere it seems a bit premature at the moment. My next booking isn’t for 7 weeks so hopefully I’ll find out either way before that. I’ve spoken to the agency I work through and they’re more than happy to arrange alternative accommodation as bookings are really low this year compared to the last few. If you’ve booked through an agency I’m sure they’ll sort you out with a suitable alternative.
I think that's a risky strategy

Sometimes, I might be ok with being moved, if it includes an upgrade. We were once moved from 2 bed house to an 7 bed house, very fancy

But if I chose a house for its specific location, I'd be seriously unimpressed

It's great to consider taking in refugees, but if you may not honour existing bookings, you owe them the courtesy of advance warning

Scianel · 05/04/2022 08:07

Things are really kicking off in DRC, huge numbers of refugees, I wonder if anyone is applying to take them?

Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 08:17

I'd reply saying it's admirable that she wants to offer a home to Ukrainian refugees, but you're a little confused because don't you have to offer a six month placement and the property still appears to be available?

You absolutely understand the refugees should take precedentn, but that as the accommodation has been withdrawn by the owner, the owner will need to cancel.

And copy the holiday company in.

I wouldn't want to stay there now anyway.

EezyOozy · 05/04/2022 08:29

Things are really kicking off in DRC, huge numbers of refugees, I wonder if anyone is applying to take them?

Is there a government backed scheme under which to do this?

Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 08:35

@hassletassle

Things are really kicking off in DRC, huge numbers of refugees, I wonder if anyone is applying to take them?

Is there a government backed scheme under which to do this?

The "Government back scheme" for Ukrainians only came about because the public here campaigned for it. Where's the campaign for all the other refugees in the world?
LoveSpringDaffs · 05/04/2022 08:45

[quote gettingolderandgrumpy]@LoveSpringDaffs your quite we should all sacrifice our holiday for refugees . Have you booked a holiday this year , If so you won’t mind if they cancel will you? .[/quote]
@gettingolderandgrumpy

No I haven't, For health reasons I can't. But if I had, obviously I'd be disappointed, but I wouldn't be angry, these people NEED a roof over their heads, a temporary home, it far outeweighs anyones holiday plans.

Do you understand they have had to flee their homes, leaving family behind while some lunatic decimates their homes/villages/towns. Rapes & kills those left behind.

It really doesn't compare to getting alternative accommodation for your holiday.

hungrymutha · 05/04/2022 08:51

Maybe she only had a couple of bookings and thought ah well, A few families will have their 3 day break ruined but the goodness that comes from this act trumps the disruption caused

Maybe you can find a non dog friendly place and not take your dog with you?

EezyOozy · 05/04/2022 09:14

@Silverclocks I look forward to adding my voice to your campaign when you start it.

Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 09:16

[quote hassletassle]@Silverclocks I look forward to adding my voice to your campaign when you start it. [/quote]
I'm not the one complaining DRC is being ignored....

Lockheart · 05/04/2022 09:25

It's great that you want to help refugees, but some of your about to be screwed over guests are key workers or guests who desperately need their first holiday after a two year lock down.

Come on, no-one ever "desperately needs" a holiday. Let's not confuse desperation and genuine need with "want really badly".

EezyOozy · 05/04/2022 09:28

Apologies, that was meant for @Scianel