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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to be able to lock the airbnb?

65 replies

Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 12:59

Our family are staying in an airbnb, which is pretty remote but is part of a property with a number of different accommodation options. The one we have is entirely ours to use, and is quite close to the cafe on site, plus some of the activities the place is known for.

So there are probably 20 guests staying on the property in the various houses, camping etc, and people are coming and going all day to visit the Cafe and activities.

We realised on the first day that there are a few external doors, all but one lock from the inside (the push button lock on the handle) but one doesn't even have a lock - it's a sliding door right by the main cafe area. No keys provided at all.

Aibu to think it's normal to expect to be able to secure our accommodation both when we are out of it, and also when we sleep?

We did ask for a key but the owners sort of laughed it off saying they've never had a problem. I'll mention it to them in the review, but should we also let airbnb know that the accommodation isn't secure? I wouldn't have booked it if I knew.

OP posts:
Justsayit123 · 09/10/2024 13:05

That’s odd! Someone could nick your stuff. I’d be seriously unhappy.

Futurethinking2026 · 09/10/2024 13:06

I wouldn’t be happy with that.

Pandasnacks · 09/10/2024 13:08

I wouldn't be happy, and one could steal stuff or worse, enter when you are sleeping. I'd be even more concerned if you have nice cars or any children or dogs with you. I'd go back to the owner

D20 · 09/10/2024 13:08

When I stayed in the USA sliding doors didn’t have a lock at all but did have a bit of wood to put in the runners to prevent opening. Is there anything like that?

Original poster
Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 13:11

I'm feeling pretty uncomfortable that my children are in a separate room together, and anyone could come in. Dh is sleeping in there with them while I'm in our room with the baby. It's probably completely safe but I can't shake the tiny possibility of someone coming in to their room.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 13:13

D20 · 09/10/2024 13:08

When I stayed in the USA sliding doors didn’t have a lock at all but did have a bit of wood to put in the runners to prevent opening. Is there anything like that?

No sign of anything like that but we have one more night here so I'll fashion something that does the job tomorrow. Thanks for the idea

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 09/10/2024 13:13

I couldn't sleep there if know it's unlocked. Yanbu. Ask for keys.

Pandasnacks · 09/10/2024 13:14

Honestly though OP it isn't completely safe at all. The chances of someone coming in are incredibly small, but it can and does happen. Madeline McCann, that little girl in Scotland a few years ago who was kidnapped out of her own bed... these things happen. I wouldn't panic or go home because the risk is so so small, and DH sleeping in a room with them removes the risk too. But don't doubt yourself that you should be able to lock the door when sleeping. This one needs fixing today. Like someone else said, is there anything to block the door with that doesn't create a fire exit risk?

Original poster
Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 13:15

Londonrach1 · 09/10/2024 13:13

I couldn't sleep there if know it's unlocked. Yanbu. Ask for keys.

There literally isn't a lock on the sliding door so no keys for them.

OP posts:
NewGirlinClass · 09/10/2024 14:01

Would insurance on valuables or clothes still be valid if you go out leaving the rooms unlocked?

Nogaxeh · 09/10/2024 14:22

I think this is one of the features on an airbnb listing that you should be able to check, so if it isn't specified on the listing I would let airbnb know. Sometimes when you leave a review it's one of the questions you're asked about the listing.

It's the sort of thing where most of the time there won't be a problem, but when there is a problem it will be a really big problem.

JackieGoodman · 09/10/2024 14:36

YANBU definitely

poetryandwine · 09/10/2024 14:46

To clarify: I think the wood in the runner of a sliding glass door suggested by D20 is a great idea. Having lived in America for about 15 years I saw it frequently. But it is an additional feature. The sliding doors don’t have keyed locks but all that I saw could be locked from the inside.

OP, YADNBU and I hope you can mention this in the review.

Original poster
Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 23:53

NewGirlinClass · 09/10/2024 14:01

Would insurance on valuables or clothes still be valid if you go out leaving the rooms unlocked?

I was wondering this. Luckily we don't have anything of value with us (except the kids!), and our car is insured for theft - not sure if stealing keys from an unsecured house would nullify that. It's meant to be a peaceful and relaxing stay but has created a bit of anxiety that frankly isn't welcome.

Would it be rude to state it in the public review? Is not like we didn't raise it with them,and the fact they think it's OK means they shouldn't mind if we make it clear to others..?

OP posts:
SE13Mummy · 10/10/2024 00:00

YANBU! Years ago we stayed in an AirBnB that hadn't had keys left for the external door. The keys did exist and we eventually persuaded the owner to provide them but she was pretty shocked we weren't happy about sleeping in a property anyone could get in to.

I think it's fine to mention in the public review as people can then make up their own minds about whether or not that's somewhere they're comfortable staying.

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 10/10/2024 00:34

There's no way I'd have stayed after discovering that I couldn't secure my accommodation OP, so you're definitely NOT being unreasonable. Personally I would have told the owner that they either fit a lock. or give me a full refund, as I wouldn't feel safe at night, and wouldn't be happy leaving my personal possessions in the accommodation during the day, which would mean putting everything back in the car, each time we wanted to go out. OK, it might be as safe as can be, but it might NOT, and quite honestly, the owners are putting themselves at risk too, as no insurance company would pay out if a building was left unsecured. Absolutely ridiculous situation, and I think you'd be fully justified in noting it in your review.

Eenameenadeeka · 10/10/2024 03:46

Definitely not unreasonable

Greenfinch7 · 10/10/2024 04:18

I wouldn't mind- I find that these days everyone is more worked up than I am about health and safety, so if the owner is unconcerned, it is probably extremely safe. I like leaving things unlocked though- makes me feel like the world is a friendly place...

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/10/2024 04:42

Yes, you absolutely should leave this in the review. I am surprised more people haven’t. I wouldn’t be happy at all.

HomeTheatreSystem · 10/10/2024 04:44

Definitely leave a mention of this in the review and make AirBnB aware too (with photos). I would not wish to rent somewhere unsecured. Also state it was addressed with them and what their reaction was.

Everything may have been fine to date but there will be a first time (even if it's just a drunk person trying to let himself into the wrong lodging) and you can bet their reaction to it will be something like, "Well we are shocked, this has never happened before!" Hmm

olympicsrock · 10/10/2024 04:53

I had someone climbs into my window when staying in a ground floor room of a hotel. It was open just a crack for air and they pushed it open.
I was terrified as with my kids and woke to what I thought was my son being abducted as there was a figure half way through the window.

just a drunk holiday guest trying to ge5 into his friends room but it could also happen here th3 same way.

readingismycardio · 10/10/2024 05:02

This exact thing happened to me in valencia, I was young, still a student, and the owner told me I should trust people more. What an idiot!! Ofc it's not okay!

DecafGreen · 10/10/2024 05:10

Definitely include this in your review. It is an important consideration for people deciding where to stay.

Cosyblankets · 10/10/2024 05:16

Ninotpoir · 09/10/2024 23:53

I was wondering this. Luckily we don't have anything of value with us (except the kids!), and our car is insured for theft - not sure if stealing keys from an unsecured house would nullify that. It's meant to be a peaceful and relaxing stay but has created a bit of anxiety that frankly isn't welcome.

Would it be rude to state it in the public review? Is not like we didn't raise it with them,and the fact they think it's OK means they shouldn't mind if we make it clear to others..?

Show quote history

I would want to know
It's not rude
You're stating a fact

Ibelieveicanfly988 · 10/10/2024 05:18

Not rude at all. I'd be incredibly anxious if I turned up to an b and b like that.