Airbnb host, was I wrong?

[newmomaboutthreads]

I had a guest stay at my airbnb. He was a bit difficult but one area of contention. Was I wrong?
He WhatsApp'd messaged me (which I hate as he should be using airbnb platform unless it's an emergency but anyway) to say there are not enough mugs and glasses as there are 6 of them. The apartment does sleep 6, in 3 double beds. I asked him what was there and he replied only 5 wine glasses and 4 mugs. I apologised and said some must have been broken and I will get some to him asap in the morning. (He messaged at midnight)
I went out and bought replacements, rung the door bell a few times, there was no answer, so I used my key to put in the missing mugs and glasses.
I then get phone calls and messages later that night furious that I entered my airbnb apartment when he was not in to replace the missing items.
Things like this have happened in the past and guests have never had an issue.
Was I wrong?

While I agree op was in the wrong, when I have been staying at a holiday rental and there is an issue that needs sorting I have never thought twice about the landlord letting themself in briefly to sort it. The fact that I have reported something means it’s common sense they will be coming because they can’t do it through a locked door!
Maybe in future op can confirm the guest is ok with her letting herself in to sort out the problem in their absence because I am fairly confident most people would be.

I think people are confusing bed and breakfast accommodation, which is what the BnB stands, for with Tenancy Agreements.

If a guest in a bed and breakfast raises an issue at midnight, unless it’s an emergency, they are arseholes and should be prepared to meet with the host first thing in the morning - fully clothed and not participating in any sexual activity.

Who thinks, oh I know, the host will be bringing the mugs round so we’ll have a fuck?

It seems like airbnb are quite clear on this if I'm reading it correctly

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/3060

@newmomaboutthreads I haven't used an Airbnb but a couple I know used a little apartment attached to their house they had for a little while and it drove them absolutely nuts. They don't do it at all anymore. I don't pretend to understand the ins and outs of how it operates, but I genuinely don't think you did much wrong. They messaged you at stupid o'clock, that leads you to think it's something they want/need sorting out quickly and that's what you did. PS. I use WhatsApp but am not a fan at all - people bother you at any time they feel like, so have no qualms in telling people mine doesn't work properly and just ring or text me instead.

Just hope he doesn't leave a bad review and you lose superhost status

I think you're very much mistaken with your analogy of airbnb! And I want to fuck at 8,9,10 or noon in an airbnb I would not decide around the chance you might turn up with mugs.

I'd expect the courtesy of a call to advise me of your anticipated arrival time?

You've after all got my contact details!

Did you put them in on the floor inside the door, or did you go into the kitchen and put them away?

I think he's BU seeing as you did say you'd get them to him first thing in the morning. Maybe remind him that host re-entry is allowed in case of any emergency - and he did text you on your phone, which is for emergencies.

If this happens again, maybe explicitly say "I will bring some for you in the morning. If you are not in, I shall put them just inside the door"

please do tell me the difference in his people can contact you at different times via text than WhatsApp?

I'd be more annoyed by the lack of crockery than the letting yourself in. It's a PITA to be constantly washing things or moving them between bowls because there aren't enough. Part of the reason for booking a cottage is the being able to use a proper kitchen.

I didn't realise expectations re Airbnbs are so exacting. I suppose things like this are in their terms and conditions?

We've stayed in standard holiday lets booked the old-fashioned way over the years, and never considered it a problem if the owner popped by for something quick and helpful. Things have changed!

I think you need to check for breakages etc more often to avoid this kind of situation. Assuming you'd usually at least 10-12 mugs/glasses for a place that sleeps 6 that's a lot of breakages and unlikely to have happened since the last guests.

He messaged you at MIDNIGHT - he is a nutter. You should do an inventory and make sure you have lots more mugs and glasses but, he is still a nutter.

You were wrong on both counts. The first thing you should check is that all the kitchen equipment is there. Very poor service.

What an odd way of thinking

OP should have made sure that the accommodation she's renting out had enough glassware and mugs in the first place. That's hosting 101.

It's also basic common sense to contact your guests before letting yourself in to their holiday accommodation without warning, surely?

OP you are totally 100% wrong. Not enough crockery is your fault ultimately but letting yourself in is really, really, really bad.
I'd be fuming.

I'm so sick of turning up at air BNBs and having issues like this, the numbers of plates/ mugs etc should be checked every single time between guests without fail. I've stopped using them now tbh.

You shouldn't have let yourself in without prior notice. You could've Whatsapped him to say you had replacements. They could've been mid shag on the kitchen floor !!

I'm surprised by these responses! I have had to raise issues with air b'n'b hosts on occasion - last one was a shower door we couldn't open. I have always been more than happy for them to let themselves in to sort it - I do tend to state that I am happy for this, thinking about it. But it didn't really occur to me they wouldn't. I want the problem fixed and I don't want to ruin my holiday waiting in all day ....

I also can't imagine complaining about the glasses etc, tho it is fair enough to I guess, if they booked intending to have a formal family meal in the accommodation.... I usually only complain if it's something major like the heating not working.

That's what you do, clearly others are different.

I am not one of life’s complainers either but 4 mugs between 6 of us would definitely be an issue!

See that I don't think is bad - i stay up late on holiday and I would message when I came across the problem. I have always felt free to message them on any platform they have made available to me, also - I wouldn't avoid whatsapping if i have their number.

Airbnb are very clear that hosts can only enter with the guests permission or during an emergency. We had an issue where a host entered the airbnb we had rented twice, we reported the issue to airbnb and as they had broken the t&cs we were given a refund. After what they saw the first time the mind boggles as to why they did it a second.

We ourselves have an airbnb that sleeps four, we make sure we always have eight of everything left out. We also have our spare plates, mugs etc in an outhouse so if a guest needs more we let them know where they are, or tell them that if they provide written consent we can put them just in the door way of the apartment.

Indeed they are. All part of life's rich tapestry isn't it? I think OP is asking us what we all think. Me included!

I really don't see what's wrong with that. He noticed a problem and contacted the host - he didn't say he expected an immediate response and OP didn't say he blew up her phone demanding an explanation either.

I agree, I don't think it's unreasonable to message when you discover the problem, which in a holiday let could well be when you return from your evening out.

@Ilovelurchers she asked was she wrong?