Airbnb request for reimbursement

[StaceyDooleyHonestly]

I came home yesterday from a three night stay at a lovely Airbnb cottage, left a glowing review last night.

I have now received a reimbursement request for £156 to replace a single bed that they are saying we broke.

I don’t believe we broke this (it was my friend’s children who were in the room using the beds), they have attached a photo of the damage.

I have messaged my friend to check with her kids if this was damaged whilst we were there but what do I do?

If the kids did break it, would you expect to pay for a brand new bed I.e. could it not be fixed with some wood glue?

If the kids say they didn’t break it, do I refuse to pay anything? Assuming they’ll leave me a shitty review?

@Imissmoominmama - I ended up having to sell a house I loved because of the noise/damage/antisocial behaviour from the Air BnB next door. Owner didn’t give a shit, was laughing all the way to the bank.

They gonna take the money from your card. Happened to us when the glass stove cracked and we refused to pay as it was very dodgy building work.

Airbnb just took £300 from our account.
Beware.

Oh is that was it is, I couldn't work it out. Agree if it's being used permanently then it isn't fit for purpose and OP/friend shouldn't have to pay.

But the purpose was only sleeping on it. We all know what kids are like for bouncing about on beds messing around. The kid clearly knew they had broken it. Unlikely just by sleeping on it.

An occasional folding bed is not for for purpose in a rental.

Your friend should pay for it so send the owner her details and let them sort it out between themselves.

How old do you think the bed was? Is it reasonable to suggest a contribution towards a replacement - if the bed was older (in a like for like manner, not a new for old).
I am in tourism and some damage claims should not be requesting the value of a brand new item, if the broken one was rather old, iyswim?

Also, a good carpenter/joiner might be able to fix it properly, that should be investigated.

Most owners will have suitable insurance, but the excess might be £200, £300 or whatever, so not worth claiming, which is why the guest is made to pay.

Interesting point - was the bed suitable for a holiday let? Most use 'hotel standard' beds as they are a bit more robust. No rules about it though.

www.airbnb.com/help/article/1415/getting-charged-for-damage ..

But also read this... if you refuse..the host is covered.. but it is not clear how you could dodge the payment if it is found to be your fault.

www.airbnb.com/help/article/2869/host-damage-protection-terms

The owner should also have accidental insurance cover but the excess might be more than the replacement cost of the bed.

No, they shouldn't be jumping on beds.
But they did.
Property owners will have insurance surely to cover for this.

This has just added to my list of why Airbnb should be abandoned.

We don't even know how old the children are. They might be well past the age of jumping on beds!

It's not suitable for a rental.

Occasional use in a home is probably less than a week a year. Occasional use in a rental is probably 8 weeks out of 52. It's not designed for that level of use. If it breaks, it's your look out.

In an air BnB it is.

It doesn't sound like an accident that occcured during normal use since the child has admitted to breaking it so i can see why you wouldn't want to pay, who would? But it was broken by your party so I think it's reasonable your party pays for it. Ideally the child's parent would seem most fair but since you made the booking that would be for you to chase up.

Hmmh tricky situation did. the child say how they broke the bed ie.Were they jumping on it? Is it possible the bed was already compromised and just happened to break when your friends child were there? When renting holiday accommodation it’s always a good idea on arrival to check the standard of the property. Then you can’t be blamed for damage of something which was ready to break anyway

You and your friend should split the £156 and pay up

Why on Earth should the OP contribute?

I agree with pp that occasional use in an Airbnb could actually be a significant proportion of the time. Places are often advertised as 'sleeps 4 + 1' for example, so if there's 5 of you, you book it. Such a bed is therefore not appropriate.

yes your friend should pay of course!