What do you think of this holiday rental situation through acquaintance

[holidaysituation]

I was talking to one of my son's friends mums a few months back about our holiday. Long story short, it turns out the mum's cousin owns a flat which she rents for holidays. The mum told me she'd ask her if it was available on our dates.

It was available. Friend sent some pics of the flat and we told her we'd take it. I did ask to put me in touch with the cousin directly but the mum never did and all communication went through the mum.

We never paid any deposit. I asked the friend and she said not to worry about it. So it was all done on good will really, which is why even before we left, we sort of thought that it will be difficult if we aren't happy about something there and we would probably just need to suck it up for the sake of the friendship.

Anyway, the flat wasn't ideal and most importantly really, it didn't have WiFi and one of the beds was so uncomfortable and lob-sided, we had to fit into one bed / put a mattress on the floor.

I think the WiFi thing was the worst thing really. After a few days I informed friend we would be leaving the flat. Friend didn't ask why or if all was ok. Just said OK can you switch for the boiler ? I said I would be switching off the boiler when we give back the flat. We left the flat but didn't officially leave it with the keys etc until the day we were supposed to leave.

We were very gracious about it all but I feel like the friend could have been gracious as well and asked if all was ok. We paid everything up front on arrival. We weren't going to start arguing for money back but she could have asked if all was ok and why we were leaving early in my opinion.

She sort of managed the whole process for us with her relative, which we do appreciate but I think that no WiFi is just unacceptable.

I'm not going to say anything, it's done and dusted but I do feel a bit miffed about the whole thing.

AIBU ?

@Dotto but they knew already that there was something wrong with it.

It has 4 mattresses on it. It was weird from the start. There was a bed with 4 mattresses on it and the room also had another two mattresses shoved in the corner and they were like ' yeah it looks a bit odd like this, just see how you're most comfortable '. They know the situation.

Personally I think you're just as weird not to mention the broken bed, why would you not?

Typical AIBU though. We are nice about things and somehow it's all our fault.

And what did you reply when they showed this to you?

6 mattresses? Was there a pea underneath them?

No, not really, you flounced off and you're annoyed that nobody noticed or cared that you were unhappy with the accommodation, despite not saying anything because you don't want to be awkward

I own holiday accommodation. Any sensible
person would have asked for pictures beforehand.

I provide excellent fast broadband but to be honest I am sick to death with it being abused and having to constantly top up the usage , which is more than generous. Especially when I provide TV’s with Sky TV. So I don’t blame them for not having it.

If the bed provided was broken or not usable then the onus is on you to report it. I can either provide a replacement quickly as could they.

you expected your friend to so something that you were not prepared to do i.e speak up like an adult- I cannot believe that you left without saying why. She was perfectly reasonable to ask you to turn the boiler off

Of course I saw pictures beforehand !!! I also asked questions about it.

Of course I saw pictures beforehand !!! I also asked questions about it

You didn't ask about wifi though.

So did the bed have 4 mattresses on it in the pictures?

Were there 2 mattresses shoved in the corner in the pictures?

So was the bed actually broken or were there just a lot of mattresses? I mean that in itself is weird and I can't fathom the logic of it although my daughter went through a stage of having 2 mattresses as she liked being higher up.

No the bed just looked normal and no mattresses everywhere in the pics.
So let me guess, at that point it was my fault for not making a fuss about the fact the pics were different etc ?

Did you honestly not mention anything? It sounds awful! Why did you choose it? How much did it cost to pay for an extra apartment? If kids are friends did they not spend any time with friends child and adults also interact if on holiday in same resort? Was there air conditioning, bug infestation or mouldy old bedding and curtains etc? They should be mortified if it's as bad as having to pack up and move mid holiday.... surely this will be more awkward than just telling them beds broken or asking about wifi or buying a local sim for extra data.

The mistake was using a friend's place anyway. It all sounds good but often ends in animosity. We never use friends/family for anything as it's often too much hassle and you're stuffed if things go wrong as it has the potential to ruin friendships and cause family fallouts.

Personally, I'd not even book a place even directly via whatever platform they usually use and paying full/normal price if I knew the person, even as friend of a friend, as it makes it very uncomfortable if things go wrong.

You're confusing being nice with being untruthful/confusing.

If I had a holiday let I'd actively want to know if there was an issue for next time. You just sound a bit weird. They may have been absolutely fine with helping to sort the situation.

If you didn't ask about wifi I don't think you can have an issue with there not being any.

So let me guess, at that point it was my fault for not making a fuss about the fact the pics were different etc ?

Er - yes. The photos should have shown the actual accommodation.

Why did you hang onto the key until your original planned leave date?