To think this AirBnB review was unfair?

[QuiteDisgruntled]

Recently stayed in a studio apartment with kitchenette (fridge, sink, hob, small worktop). Washing up liquid, paper towel and sponge provided but no other cleaning equipment.

Before leaving we washed breakfast things and left on drainer. Wiped surfaces and table, stacked placemats and scooped up some crumbs from the floor with my hands.

I’ve just read the host’s review which says “OK, but kitchen left messy”. I’ve checked other reviews from the host which are all in the style of “great guest, recommended!” so it’s not as though they’re generally leaving picky or negative reviews.

Honestly I’m baffled - I think how we left the place was perfectly acceptable. Am I missing something?

Did they have any rules in the rental info/house rules? We've stayed in air bnbs before that have asked for kitchen binbags to be put in the main refuse bins and for all kitchenware to be put away where it belongs (i.e. not left to drip dry on the sink). It may be that these were the things they'd consider inappropriate and contributing to a 'messy' kitchen... However the hosts are being a little unreasonable if these things weren't specified in writing anywhere.

As per previous poster usually there’s a list of things that need doing and that often includes dishes washed and put away

Also just got a review saying I left somewhere messy- I washed up and put it all away, stripped one of the two beds, left all the towels in one pile but didnt strip the other bed?! Don’t get what I did wrong! No hoover so no way I could do that and surely hosts expect to do a normal clean between visitors??

We were once left a review that we had been messy even though we had to already pay a significant cleaning change on top of the rental cost. And we really didn’t leave it messy either - had wiped down the surfaces and swept the floors etc. Stupid fuckers.

No, definitely no instructions about anything that needed doing before we left - either in the apartment or on the listing.

This is partly why I dont Airbnb now.

This.

Too much fuzz.
And it's not chesp.

I have an air BnB. I charge people for cleaning (and pay a cleaner more than I charged). I hope for it to be left tidy, but not cleaned. I think we suggest that dirty towels are dumped in the bath, but that’s all.

What were the rules?

What were the rules?

Other than generic “no parties” etc the only specific house rule was no shoes on carpet which we abided by.

They can get fucked

Rent through someone other than Airbnb, rating the customer is bizarre

Is there no way to respond to the feedback?

You can usually respond, but only within a few days of recieving the review. We have had one negative review on AirBnB and just responded explaining what had happened from our PoV and it hasn't caused any further issues. Our other reviews are all excellent, which I assume helps.

You can leave a comment against the feedback, I haven’t done yet.

I would respond

I also message people throughout the stay if I have queries about how Im meant to clean up/tidy up at the end of the stay

Particular bug bears for me are

• no hoover or broom or dustpan (how is one meant to sweep up)
• no sponge with an abrasive edge (how is one meant to wash up thoroughly)
• no bathroom cleaning materials or bleach for loo

I would contact HMRC and ask if the owner is paying correct taxes. Or needs a new dictionary.

No shoes on the carpet? In a property you let out? Can you imagine going to a hotel which doesn’t allow shoes on the carpet?

As someone on the other side (I rent out our holiday home) I am usually to be caught complaining how I can't leave honest reviews/charge for ruined sheets etc because I want to keep my high rating and don't want to put off future guests renting with me. I understand why people increasingly avoid airbnbs. Hotels have in house cleaning and linen hire, deal with guests' messes without a squeak and they aren't renting out their own home so far less personal.

I'm thinking along time lines 'This just is not true'.

By using AirBnB you are contributing to the housing crisis in this country.

I removed all abrasive sponges after guests worked their way through several pans 😊

I would never stay anywhere that expected you to clean before you leave unless the rate was low enough to justify it.

That is not a holiday for me.

I have used AirBnB and haven’t really had any issues. I leave towels where requested and have never been asked to strip a bed. I also feel that I have enough good reviews as a guest to ignore requirements which I consider too much of a burden, unless they are obvious BEFORE booking.
Given a choice though, where the property is on both AirBnB and Booking.com, I always book through the latter, as it seems more of a business arrangement.

I had this. It was weirdly mortifying, and I was especially annoyed because the house was quite crap and smelled odd when we arrived but I didn't mention it.

I replied to the comment in a shocked/offended way by saying I did not know what she meant and that she should be specific about what she wanted done.

I do resent paying a cleaning fee, leaving the place perfectly acceptable and then getting a comment like that. It hasn't affected any bookings since though.

This is nonsense. It’s like telling someone don’t breath out, you’re contributing to climate change 🙄