Airbnb - who was BU?

[Nandocushion]

Staying at an airbnb in European country. Host lives in lower level and in fact we share the hallway to get to the airbnb.

Went for a walk with DH, teens still in bed/lazing around. Return to front door to see host and a man chatting. Host tells us man wants to stay in the airbnb next year and was wondering if he could come up and have look at it? 'Just two minutes'.

DH said no problem, give us 2 minutes to make sure teens are dressed etc. But it's of course a mess, laundry drying, underwear on chairs, dirty dishes, etc. I made a few excuses, and in the end the man read the room and didn't come up to look.

DH thinks IWBU but I thought it was an inappropriate request by the host and I'm a little put out by it. Surely he can just look at the listing like anyone else?

How much of a mess could it have actually been? You wouldn’t have your family holidaying in a complete mess, so it couldn’t have been that bad. Underwear on chairs is probably an exaggeration.

However, id have said no anyway! You’re paying to stay there and have quiet enjoyment of the place, you don’t want visitors traipsing through and you didn’t know if he would want to go looking in all the bedrooms and then you’d have to follow him to keep an eye on jewellery etc.

We actually do have underwear on chairs, because I did a load of handwashing yesterday! But yes it was less about the mess and more just that I don't expect to be asked that when I'm paying to stay somewhere.

I agree that it wasn't appropriate for them to ask you.

I agree with you. You’ve paid to stay there so you should have privacy for the duration of your stay and it is cheeky for the host to ask this of you.

Very cheeky to ask you. You are paying for privacy. There must have been photos.

I agree it wasn't on to ask. And the place usually is a total mess whenever I'm on holiday - we don't unpack our suitcases so things end up all over the floor when looking for things, you're in and out all the time without focusing on tidying up etc.

I think it was a reasonable request. But your response is up to you. I have often been in a resort where my first choice accommodation was booked and I have asked for a show round as I would want to stay there next time. Never been refused, but I'm talking hotels or pensions not host sharing accommodation.n

This happened to us! I thought it was an absolute cheek! Nearly left a negative review on the page.
You’ve paid for use of a property. Not to allow someone in to nose around your private space.

Surely you could just have said no. I don’t think asking is a big deal.

YANBU that’s an invasion of privacy but DH would probably do the same 🙄

Also, I don’t live in a mess even while on holiday as I’ve normally put some effort into choosy nice place to be. I always unpack and tidy as I go. But still, I wouldn’t like the invasion when he can just look at the online listing or the owner’s own photos.

This is so British. "I was so cross that I nearly left a negative review!" 😂

Whether it's a mess or not, the host shouldn't have allowed the man to look around.

I'd have been fine about it to help someone out; it's not a huge ask IMO

But then I answer my door to anyone which seems to not be the done thing either 🤷‍♀️