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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:
oakleaffy · 04/04/2022 18:25

Wow OP!
You caught her out on likely a monstrous fib if she is still taking bookings!!

Don’t cancel!!

What a thing to fib about.
Trying to manipulate you into cancelling because of people in dire need.

Not good.

WhyOfCourse · 04/04/2022 18:32

I would reply and say, OK if its no longer available then I understand you have to cancel our booking

Original poster
DuvetHugger · 04/04/2022 18:33

Just had this

Email from property owner - room cancelled for refugees
OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/04/2022 18:34

Contact the booking agent op, and screenshot that they’re still taking bookings. Definitely don’t cancel the booking yourself.

It doesn’t sound quite right to me and the fact that you booked it so long ago that you’ve had time to book activities and events means it’s not simply a case of going somewhere else.

Keep us posted!

ilovebrie8 · 04/04/2022 18:36

Don’t cancel OP it’s not right ...for sure.

starfishmummy · 04/04/2022 18:36

@DuvetHugger

I paid £600 for 3 nights, which I suppose is quite cheap for a cottage?
Onkyb3 nights, so my guess is that she has got a booking for a full week.
maddening · 04/04/2022 18:39

Tell her she needs to administer the cancellation her end.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 04/04/2022 18:39

I’d be telling the people you booked with that you do not wish to cancel the booking and that the homeowner is still taking bookings.

If they find you suitable alternative accommodation you will accept that. If not, then you would like to keep the booking.

DameHelena · 04/04/2022 18:39

@DuvetHugger

Just had this
I don't get it. Is she saying only the holidaymaker can EVER cancel the booking? Get on to Dog Friendly Cottages and say you're seeking clarification of the T's and C's/the correct process. I'm even more sure now that she's trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Annette32123 · 04/04/2022 18:40

Just reply that she must have a mechanism to cancel bookings - what would happen if the barn burned down for example? - and that she should use that mechanism, whatever it is. Alternatively she should contact the organisation you booked with and make them aware she is unable to deliver the service so they can contact you to cancel the booking.

Either way, don’t cancel the booking!

Lilac57 · 04/04/2022 18:41

Hmm, it does sound very dodgy, and I agree, they're probably not renting to refugees if they're still advertising bookings. See what Dog Friendly Holidays say and take it from there. Explain to them that you're not happy, that you won't be cancelling but the owner is refusing to honour the booking, and see what they come up with.

lollipoprainbow · 04/04/2022 18:41

Most of you need to wobble your head!

Urgh one of the most annoying phrases on MN.

maddening · 04/04/2022 18:41

Reply to her that she accepted the booking from "agent/booking company" and she will need to cancel the booking her end.

Annette32123 · 04/04/2022 18:41

And don’t waste your time liaising with the booking company. Not your circus. Not your monkeys.

sonjadog · 04/04/2022 18:42

Her lies are unconvincing. Of course she can cancel bookings herself. There must be circumstances all the time where owners have to cancel bookings whoever you have booked through. She just doesn't want to because it will lose her money/good reviews/whatever.

Neverreturntoathread · 04/04/2022 18:43

@Nicholethejewellery

Also I would be very wary that her taking in refugees is the actual reason - it's more likely she is using this as an excuse because she's found someone willing to pay more. People tend to exploit human tragedy in this way.
I’m suspicious too. People who offer up their homes to refugees tend to be extremely nice people.

This person doesn’t sound very nice.

CallMeDaddy58 · 04/04/2022 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Quotes a deleted post.

cuparfull · 04/04/2022 18:46

Don't cancel it yourself as there may be legal issues and/or costs involved to yourself in doing so. The homeowner will know the form which is why she is pushing you to cancel....beware!
Forward all her written comms to Company that took your booking so they can refund all your costs given the cancellation is at her instigation.

Also as an alternative venue, why not try a holiday park home booking for the three nights. There are many in really lovely locations.

EthelTheAardvark · 04/04/2022 18:47

You certainly need to sort this out through whoever you booked with, if it's not the property owner. It sounds as if the duty to arrange alternative accommodation falls on them - which probably won't impress them.

I agree I would be sceptical about this. Why would she want to cancel if she's only just applied to take refugees? Supposing she's turned down, she would have lost a lot of money for nothing.

EthelTheAardvark · 04/04/2022 18:49

@CallMeDaddy58

Everyone’s up for helping people fleeing war…until it inconveniences them in a very minor way. Cancel the booking & book somewhere else. It’s 2 months away. If Russia could just stop invading for the summer so holiday rentals could honour their bookings that would be just lovely, but that isn’t happening. People need housed now. Not in October.

We have done exactly the same with our holiday rental (also Scotland). I don’t give a teeny tiny rats arse if it annoys people, or they don’t believe it’s genuine, or they think we’re in it for the money (hilarious, truly).

You may find that's a bit dangerous. If you have concluded contracts to let your property and you cancel, you could be liable for any extra costs your potential guests incur by having to book elsewhere at shorter notice.
Usingit · 04/04/2022 18:50

They probably want to let it for a week as OP has only booked 3 days, all sounds a bit suspicious.

If she doesn't have your money the person that does have it needs to cancel it

lollipoprainbow · 04/04/2022 18:51

@CallMeDaddy58 I was being sarcastic.

Cameleongirl · 04/04/2022 18:52

@cuparfull

Don't cancel it yourself as there may be legal issues and/or costs involved to yourself in doing so. The homeowner will know the form which is why she is pushing you to cancel....beware! Forward all her written comms to Company that took your booking so they can refund all your costs given the cancellation is at her instigation.

Also as an alternative venue, why not try a holiday park home booking for the three nights. There are many in really lovely locations.

I agree with @cuparfull, you're not cancelling the booking, she is! Let the company deal with it. Something doesn't sit right.
Memyselfandfood · 04/04/2022 18:52

Do NOT cancel op.
She’s cancelling the booking, she can do it her end if she’s genuine she’ll have no problem Hmm

lollipoprainbow · 04/04/2022 18:52

@EthelTheAardvark it's ok they won't give a 'rats arse'