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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've totally done the wrong thing ...

94 replies

appleaday12 · 02/08/2022 14:00

DH and I recently went away for a weekend, DD stayed with grandparents.

A long awaited trip just the two of us, been so looking forward to it etc.,

The place we booked was an Airbnb hosted by a rental holiday company not directly by a host.

Anyway! It was expensive boutique style home...all very lovely except the first day when we opened the door...you could smell damp!!!!
One of the blinds had visible damp...there was water damage to the flooring close to one of the back doors.
Anyway!!
We let the property managers know but their office was closed over the weekend etc..
We stayed for the weekend but the smell just wrecked it!!
Annoyed I left a bad review on the Airbnb site...I'd rung their office Monday and got a short swift answer by one of the property managers that she "didn't smell anything damp at all...I was there only two days before your visit"
I thought she must have had covid and couldn't smell it!!

Anyway they are raging over the review and I'm now feeling terrible.
Apparently EVERYONE who has stayed in the past has said it was like incredible and I'm an annoying twat.
There is a damp issue at this property!!

OP posts:
Haus1234 · 02/08/2022 14:04

What makes you think you’ve done the wrong thing?

Jedsnewstar · 02/08/2022 14:05

You left an honest review. People ALWAYS come back with ‘everyone else says the opposite’ because they are trying to convince you it’s you, just you! It’s a manipulation tactic.

Stop letting them try and bully you. They should be spending their energies fixing the property.

girlmom21 · 02/08/2022 14:06

Why would you assume someone who couldn't smell damp had covid?

If there's visible damp and water damage they don't really have a leg to stand on. Did you post pictures?

AllyCatTown · 02/08/2022 14:06

You’re fine. You should be annoyed at them for not providing a better service.

AppleBottomRats · 02/08/2022 14:06

You’ve done the right thing. They need to know there is a problem so they can fix it in time to limit the damage to their property, although it sounds like it is quite advanced now.

Walkingalot · 02/08/2022 14:10

I don't suppose you took any pictures, if so, you can respond with 'I have pictures to prove there is an issue'. In either case, don't back down or feel guilty - they are in the wrong.

Original poster
appleaday12 · 02/08/2022 14:10

@girlmom21 some people loose their sense of smell when they have covid.
I just made a poor joke.
It's been a long week Blush

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 02/08/2022 14:11

appleaday12 · 02/08/2022 14:10

@girlmom21 some people loose their sense of smell when they have covid.
I just made a poor joke.
It's been a long week Blush

Sorry I thought you were being one of those Grin

TokyoTen · 02/08/2022 14:24

Your review is just that - your review. If others and no issues and left an amazing one then good for them. But you smelt damp and it spoilt your weekend and that was the feedback you gave. Whether something has changed recently, why the other person didn't notice it you don't know - you can only give your review which you've done so YANBU.

Original poster
appleaday12 · 02/08/2022 22:58

I asked Airbnb to remove the review 😕
I explained to them that I stand by the comments.
I don't know, I don't want it to impact on any future Airbnb stays I guess.
Plus I stupidly didn't take photos of the damp that was visible so I can't win on my words alone.

We were staying out of the property as much as we could ..

OP posts:
AppleBottomRats · 02/08/2022 23:16

In the kindest way, are you usually a bit of a doormat? There was no need to remove the review unless it was untrue. If it’s like you say, then it SHOULD impact future stays, because it could be a health hazard.

Tellmewhyaintnothinbutaheartbreak · 02/08/2022 23:18

You should have taken pictures of the damp

Discovereads · 02/08/2022 23:24

You did the right thing. I hope you can get your review back up.
We have asthmatics in my family that are triggered by mould spores…which is what causes the smell of damp.
So your review would be essential information for us.

GreenManalishi · 02/08/2022 23:27

Hang on, you were brushed off by them when you told them about the damp issue that spoiled your stay, so you left a poor review, and you feel bad why?!
If they'd have taken you seriously instead of dismissing you with a short swift answer, then you wouldn't have left the review. This is what the review function is for, surely? I'm absolutely against leaving poor reviews for the sake of it, but this seems reasonable if you were honest.

Doyoumind · 02/08/2022 23:30

You removed the review and now some other poor sod will have to stay in accommodation with a damp problem they didn't know about.

YouOKHun · 03/08/2022 00:12

Not Sykes Cottages or a company linked to them by any chance @appleaday12 ?

Enough4me · 03/08/2022 00:17

You backed down even though you were being honest?
Wouldn't you normally say "it was damp" and on repeat if asked again?
I'd ask for a refund.

Original poster
appleaday12 · 03/08/2022 00:35

I didn't take photos.
The smell - well my word etc

There was visible damp on a blind that was in the garage window.

They said they visited the property a day before we were to stay and all was fine.

Every review on Airbnb is positive so I looked like I made it up.

There's not much else I can do.
But won't be booking with Airbnb again.

OP posts:
sst1234 · 03/08/2022 00:39

If they don’t want bad reviews, they should sort it. It’s that simple.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/08/2022 03:03

It must be a long term issue as I dont think a house would start smelling that quickly.

The review is fine, it wasnt vindictive or exaggerated. I'd find it very useful as I'm quite sensitive to smells and have had holidays ruined in the past by the smell of damp which is impossible to get away from and gets into absolutely everything. It pisses me off that someone can charge 2.5k for a very basic cottage in holiday season but doesnt bother to heat it or air it properly even for a few hours a day out of season.

FeelingwearyFeeelingsmall · 03/08/2022 03:11

You absolutely did the right thing. Other bookers need honest reviews. Years ago Booking.com pressured me into removing a review that showed evidence of bedbugs at a property. I've always regretted that I withdrew it and other people suffered because of that.

sausage767 · 03/08/2022 03:26

Why didn't you contact Air BnB directly? They would have assisted you, found you alternative accommodation if possible, and negotiated with the owners to get you a partial refund etc.

Why say something like 'I'll never use Air BnB again' when you didn't follow their process??

And you shouldn't have deleted your review if it was honest, the only issue I would have is if you complained you couldn't get hold of them, couldn't get assistance etc, when you should have contact Air BnB support.

Thepossibility · 03/08/2022 03:41

So they bullied you into removing your true review?
I appreciate honest reviews when I'm booking places. The next people that stay there are going to have the same experience as you.
What they should have done is reply to your review apologising for your experience and saying that they are taking steps to rectify the situation. That is customer service.

Oblomov22 · 03/08/2022 03:46

Can't believe you took down the review. But if no guests after you commented, and with no evidence, your case looks weak.

Abraxan · 03/08/2022 04:36

appleaday12 · 02/08/2022 22:58

I asked Airbnb to remove the review 😕
I explained to them that I stand by the comments.
I don't know, I don't want it to impact on any future Airbnb stays I guess.
Plus I stupidly didn't take photos of the damp that was visible so I can't win on my words alone.

We were staying out of the property as much as we could ..

And this is possibly why the apartment, or similar types, only have good ratings. As you've now removed yours, the owners can now say that they only have positive reviews online for their let. How do you know others haven't been asked to remove their words too?