AIBU to expect holiday cottage to be clean?

[Corporatepreggolady]

Hi all,

Me, DH, my baby and parents have come away to an Airbnb and paid £600. I felt we were getting a good deal because it's the bank holiday and a lot of places were booked.

But although the house itself is nice, the cleaning seems half-hearted. Eg, glasses have dust around them in the cupboard. Headboard of bed has a fine layer of dust on.

Do you think I'd be reasonable to complain or even ask the owners (holiday lettings agency) to come back and clean for our next 2 nights? The dust is really triggering my allergies and I don't like the thought of DD breathing in dusty air.

Yabu - yes, that's a cheap let and get over it
Yanbu - no, it should be clean. Make a point to them.

Oops - we're here for 3 nights. Should've said

Is it actually dirty? I don't really think of dust as 'dirt' in the same way and it wouldn't bother me if there was some dust on a headboard etc if the house was actually clean: clean sheets, bathroom clean, floors clean, etc. I might mention it in feedback to them at the end but I wouldn't ask them to come out just to dust (and I'm sure we have more dust in our house ).

But then again I don't have allergies so it wouldn't really affect my enjoyment of the place like it is for you. I'm not sure some dust would even really register with me tbh unless it was actually unclean, such as bedding not clean, bathroom not cleaned, kitchen dirty, etc. Perhaps I just have low standards

I bet you went looking for something to complain about. The worse examples are dust inside a kitchen cupboard and dust on a head board you describe it as "fine" tells me it is not that bad and you are being dramatic. If it was actually dirty you would have complained already. Instead of coming on here asking it you should.

You're only there for a couple of nights, so relax and try to enjoy. Run a cloth over the dust if you want, as it'll only take 2 minutes of your time.
It's not worth losing sleep over.

If you're only there for a couple of nights, I would just run over the headboard with a damp cloth, and mention it in your review.

I'd be pissed off. You shouldn't have to put up with that. You have to message them in the first 24 hours I think if it's an airbnb.

We had this recently and got the cleaning fee refunded (cleaning really wasn't up to scratch).

That's not what I would describe as dirty. We once arrived to a dirty holiday cottage. A bit of dust was not the problem.

Are you paying a cleaning fee?

Of course dust is dirt! What a weird and nitpicking comment.

you are not being unreasonable OP!

We have a little cottage we Airbnb. We clean it ourselves. We charge less than you are paying
For me cleanliness is the most important thing. I even use cotton buds to clean the corners of the skirting boards. All kitchen cupboards are cleaned, plates checked, glasses polished.
Linen is hired (comes bleached and starched) and it's rejected if there's the tiniest stain or rip even if it's on the 'tucked in' bit.
Top of headboard is dusted every visit.
It sounds minor but the least you can expect is it's sparkling clean IMO. It's the only thing the owner has to do to make it welcoming and justify the cost.
We also leave croissants and jam, bubbles, chips and dips and cookies (and 3 types of coffee) but that's another matter.

On the other hand our own house is pretty lived in filthy as I haven't the energy after cottage cleaning for 3 hours each week!

Meant to say. Are you paying a cleaning fee? I'd text to owner immediately saying you felt it wasn't as clean as it should be and take photos. Maybe imply that their 'cleaning team' have overlooked a few things and you think they should know but it's not not quite up to standard.

Airbnb hosts are terrified of anything other than a 5 star review and they should jump as soon as you message. Whether it's an offer to reclean while you are out or waive the cleaning fee.

I'm in two minds. If it's very dusty then it probably does need a clean again, sounds like it's been empty for a long time. But if it's minor dust then probably not worth the hassle.

It's always a bit of a gamble with Airbnb to be honest.

A little dust doesn't sound that bad. I mean it's not ideal, but Airbnb don't have the best guidance or policies around this stuff. They're not very well regulated and don't forget they started off as just being people letting out their spare rooms.

The expected standards would be more like when you go and stay with a friend than when you go and stay at a hotel.

I'd understand if the bathroom was dirty or something, but If your standards are this high that a little dust bothers you then you should probably use a hotel or a proper holiday let company.

Put all plates/glasses in dishwasher.

Wouldn’t expect it dirty or forensically clean
what you described wouldn’t bother me

YANBU.

But fir speed, is there a vac in the place? Normally there is, so I'd probably just vac it up myself and let the owner know cos it'll be in the feedback.

If there's a cleaning fee then I wouldn't expect there to be dust tbh

Thanks everyone for your answers! We did pay a cleaning fee. I like your approach @meatbaseddessert - I'll try that.

I don't think I'm being nitpicky. Maybe having an allergies and a baby makes me more on edge than some though. But I think most people would notice this stuff...

I wouldn't expect a rental property to be overly dusty.

We stayed in a gorgeous flat in Whitby a few years ago and the book shelves were a bit dusty, but I forgave them that because the rest of the flat was fine, but a dusty headboard doesn't sound ideal.

I'd certainly contact them - mention your dust allergy as making it of particular concern.

I'd forgive the dusty cupboard but not the bedroom.

Perhaps make it your last Air BnB holiday- you are staying in somewhere that should be a home year round for someone.

Please complain !

We have a holiday cottage and guests pay £150 for cleaning and my neighbour tells me they're barely in there 45 minutes

Every time I go it's filthy

Get different cleaners then - surely that's up to you ?

I wish !

We have it managed by a holiday company, only one in the area - captive market

What?

£150 for a weekly clean between guests and the cleaners do 45 minutes and leave the place dirty? That's ridiculous. Can't be true.

Also how are you getting any guests? The reviews and complaints must be terrible.