Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Has anyone ever had an accident at an AirBNB? If so, did AirBNB or the host offer support?

72 replies

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 17:56

Tripped over an uneven step on first day, covered in massive bruises; I was really worried I'd done some real damage (nothing broken though). The apartment was managed by a company - told them what had happened and they seemed very confused as to why I was telling them. What would you have expected to happen next?

I thought it might be a box of chocolates or £50 off the cost, send a handyman round to look at the step (just needed a door threshold bar added) and a message saying gosh I hope this hasn't spoilt your holiday. Obviously I was wrong. AirBNB have now passed my details to a legal firm and I've had a solicitors' letter demanding proof of my "claim" and asking for my National Insurance number?! I think its just scare tactics. Any thoughts or experience?

OP posts:
NumberTheory · 25/05/2023 18:45

If the airbnb host was an individual and nearby (attached house, say) or available by phone for any concerns, I would expect a show of concern and maybe a plaster/directions to nearest A&E/Boots/etc. depending on the accident.

If the accident was due to a fault with the property then yes, I would expect something. Mainly I'd expect them to fix the fault and send a link to their process for making a claim (if they had one and the accident was serious enough to warrant it). A bottle of wine or something would be appreciated and might make me more likely to feel good about the stay despite being hurt by a fault there. I would find any kind of gift odd if it wasn't due to a fault with the property.

rwalker · 25/05/2023 18:50

You obviously gave them the impression you are going to sue for compensation

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 18:57

Dartmoorcheffy · 25/05/2023 18:16

If there's an uneven step that is a trip hazard its definitely in the best interest of the owners to be aware of it so that they can warn guests to be aware . I'm clumsy as anything though and the only thing i would expect in an air bnb is a first aid kit , I wouldn't be seeking chocolates or compo

Seems to be a bit of confusion here - the step needed a repair so I thought they’d need to be told and I thought they be vaguely concerned?

OP posts:
Toottooot · 25/05/2023 18:58

Get yer best compo face ready for the press 🙄

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 18:59

just to be straight - AirBNB have started the claim, not me. Was I not very clear in the OP?

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 25/05/2023 19:00

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 18:57

Seems to be a bit of confusion here - the step needed a repair so I thought they’d need to be told and I thought they be vaguely concerned?

Show quote history

They are concerned! They've got the lawyers involved and are looking for any medical details from you. What more do you want (other than money)?

Sistanotcista · 25/05/2023 19:01

Fluffyrug191 · 25/05/2023 18:13

Jesus Christ why even tell them.

Perhaps so they can fix the step?

MetalFences · 25/05/2023 19:01

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 18:59

just to be straight - AirBNB have started the claim, not me. Was I not very clear in the OP?

No not really. I think mentioning £50 and boxes of chocolates instead of focusing on the fact that it needed a repair may have confused the Sue.

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:01

@KrisAkabusi - fix the step?

OP posts:
Gazelda · 25/05/2023 19:02

To clarify OP, are you making or planning to make a claim? Your reference to 'scare tactics' seems to indicate that you might be.

If you're not planning a claim, the surely you'd simply respond to the solicitor and cc ABB to confirm that you were simply advising them of the step needing attention and you are not wanting to launch a claim for your bruises.

SarahDippity · 25/05/2023 19:03

Is everyone misunderstanding the OP? She didn’t report it to Airbnb, she reported it on-site, and yes, I’d expect a trip hazard (uneven) to get a bit of attention, and am surprised that so few others think this.

it reads to me that Airbnb have contacted the op (not vice verse) as if preparing for a claim. Which she hasn’t said she’s going to make. So they are in a way warning her off.

do I have this right?

KrisAkabusi · 25/05/2023 19:04

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:01

@KrisAkabusi - fix the step?

If you're not still there, how do you know they haven't?
Or maybe they're preserving the scene until forensics arrive to see what's really at fault.

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:05

No @Gazelda no claim, just expected a bit of polite concern and a message saying they’d send someone to fix the step. Anything else would have been a nice gesture, I was only giving examples of what a nice gesture might have been but the repair was the real issue.

OP posts:
ThankmelaterOkay · 25/05/2023 19:05

I’d boycott Airbnbs if that were me.

Mainly because they are ruining this country and plenty of others, but also cos I’d want £50 of chocolates.

savoycabbage · 25/05/2023 19:05

Gazelda · 25/05/2023 19:02

To clarify OP, are you making or planning to make a claim? Your reference to 'scare tactics' seems to indicate that you might be.

If you're not planning a claim, the surely you'd simply respond to the solicitor and cc ABB to confirm that you were simply advising them of the step needing attention and you are not wanting to launch a claim for your bruises.

Exactly.

Perhaps you feel like your communication is clear but when I read your OP I definitely thought you meant that you wanted to get something from them.

Not that you simply thought that the step needed attention so perhaps they were similarly confused.

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:07

SarahDippity · 25/05/2023 19:03

Is everyone misunderstanding the OP? She didn’t report it to Airbnb, she reported it on-site, and yes, I’d expect a trip hazard (uneven) to get a bit of attention, and am surprised that so few others think this.

it reads to me that Airbnb have contacted the op (not vice verse) as if preparing for a claim. Which she hasn’t said she’s going to make. So they are in a way warning her off.

do I have this right?

Thank you @SarahDippity it’s all gone a bit Monty Python “is this the right room for an argument” sketch …!

OP posts:
Thinkwhat · 25/05/2023 19:13

But in your OP you mentioned that you thought that money off they stay would be an appropriate response- so that is what you were looking for?

how long have you been there? It is unlikely that they can get a tradesman round immediately to fix the issue- and would probably schedule it between guests anyway. Otherwise you might start seeking compo for a disrupted stay too!

Riapia · 25/05/2023 19:17

OP this is AIBU any views expressed on here are not necessarily those of the person posting them.
😉😁😁

ReliantRobyn · 25/05/2023 19:20

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:05

No @Gazelda no claim, just expected a bit of polite concern and a message saying they’d send someone to fix the step. Anything else would have been a nice gesture, I was only giving examples of what a nice gesture might have been but the repair was the real issue.

Hmm no. You wanted some free shit and you are offended they called you out for your grabby claim.

Original poster
HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 25/05/2023 19:25

So not really any thoughts or experience then 😅

OP posts:
RedRosette2023 · 25/05/2023 19:28

DrMarciaFieldstone · 25/05/2023 18:21

Also, no one is going to apologise when they think someone is trying to make a claim; that’s the first thing any insurance company tells you, never admit fault.

Just move on, you’re fine.

I was about to say this, if they do anything that could be construed as an apology they’ll be admitting liability.

weirdoboelady · 25/05/2023 19:31

knittingaddict · 25/05/2023 18:45

Not an airbnb, but a holiday cottage rental through another company.

Due to an optical illusion in a darkish hall (tiles on 2 steps lined up perfectly with the flooring before and after and I didn't see the steps) I fell down hard and twisted my foot.

We had only been there 2 minutes and it meant I couldn't really walk properly for the whole holiday. Turns out I had torn a ligament in my foot and it took ages to heal.

No, I didn't tell the company or the owner, although I probably should have given them a heads up. It never crossed my mind that I needed compensation of any kind for a stupid accident. These things happen.

No, it didn't cross your mind that you needed compensation, but perhaps it would have been a good idea to think about the optical illusion and the fact that someone else might easily have the same experience! It should have been reported.....

Clymene · 25/05/2023 19:35

Well they obviously think you're going to make a claim - why would they think that?

TreesandFish · 25/05/2023 20:03

Clymene · 25/05/2023 19:35

Well they obviously think you're going to make a claim - why would they think that?

Because it's an American organisation and that's what they are used to

RedRosette2023 · 25/05/2023 20:09

TreesandFish · 25/05/2023 20:03

Because it's an American organisation and that's what they are used to

Show quote history

The English are no better!