What does "Parking on premises" mean to you? Air B&B problem ...

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Unashamedly posting here for honest opinions, based on the main question in the title

Background is that I'm on holiday with a friend, in an apartment situated in an area where street parking's well known to be almost impossible

We were therefore extremely careful to source a place that actually had it, and checked with the owner before booking that it really was provided - only to find on arrival that it isn't, and all that's available is (non existent) street parking meaning that we hardly dare go anywhere because returning means driving around ( over 2 hours yesterday ) in the hope of finding a space

Obviously we've contacted the owner, only to be told we've "misinterpreted it" and street parking counts as being on the premises

So my question is whether or not we were BU to expect what the listing said, and if not what would anyone else do now? What we really want to do is leave the hassle behind and ask Air B&B to sort a refund based on misrepresentation, but I'd welcome thoughts before doing this

I agree with you OP - have also seen this in Booking.com - if a place states parking I have to look into the actual listing, especially in places like Llandudno or the Lake District as I know parking there is bad. But if you didn’t know then you would have an issue when you arrived

Meant to add report to Airbnb as you wouldn’t have booked if you’d known this. And be honest in your review. Take a pic of the road outside too so its clear its a public road not ‘on the premises’ . Airbnb like photos 😁

To me that's misleading because it's the difference between having a dedicated parking space versus having to rely on luck at getting one on the street. It should be made clear which of these it is. I would highlight that in your review.

on premises I would assume means outside the property, drive, garage, allocated parking space. If it was street parking, it should say exactly that ‘street parking available’

On Airbnb it usually says if parking is on the street. Definitely report.
Parking on the premises means on the premises that you are hiring.

It's not parking on premises though. It should be advertised as street parking

I suppose they're technically correct that parking is available on premises, just not their premises. It's misleading though at best. Forget that, it's a blatant lie. Put in a complaint to AirBnB and get your money back.

Wow, thanks for so many replies everyone - I answered the first before even seeing all the otthers

To answer some of the questions I didn't already, yes the emails betweeen the host and I are there since you have to contact them via the Air B&B site.
There is indeed street parking outside, but it's rammed 24/7 which is what we expected - hence checking so carefully about "on the premises".
Previous reviews have made no mention of the parking at all and all are 5 star, which leads me to wonder if any have been removed ... do they do that?

Anyway the vast majority seem to feel IANBU so guess I'd better contact AirB&B.
Not looking forward to this TBH, and what the hell do I do if the host takes the hump and loccks us out or something?

I’ve complained to Airbnb for similar before and been given credit.

Just wait until you get home

I would assume the same as you for the parking situation OP, and I would raise it with Airbnb.

I would also mention it as the title of my review “No parking on premises, just street”, and it would be the first line I would write in the review so at least others could see it.

Of course on street parking isn't on the premises. She's misrepresented it.

Owner is clearly taking the piss and knows it. Anyone would consider that means a driveway or private designated space.

I'd have assumed parking on the premises means what it means. That the property has parking allocated to it. On street parking is NOT parking on the premises. I wouldn't ever book a property without parking because of the issues you are experiencing now. A holiday shouldn't be about driving around for hours looking for a space just to use your accommodation. I'd be furious and asking for at least a partial refund. Totally misleading and a real deal breaker (for me at least)

I would think the same as you OP, especially as you checked.
I did have a situation last year with an Airbnb where there was allocated parking behind a gate but other people kept using the space. the owner was great when I contacted him and arranged for me to use a different space.
I chose that place partly due to the parking as you did so I would be pissed off in your shoes
Having said that I doubt you will get a refund if you stay the whole time, an honest review is probably the only way to go

They can't remove bad reviews. Possibly they only added the parking bit recently?

I’m really surprised if none of the other reviews mentioned this?

yanbu

People often put their property on multiple sites so it is a good idea when you book with Airbnb to look and see if there are reviews on other sites. Some sites like Tripadvisor tend to have more honest reviews. Airbnb tend to make it hard for you to leave a bad review.

From what you say there is clearly no parking on the premises. There's limited public parking on the road. Air BnB will do sod all.
Owners might offer some refund if you ask.
Only real recourse is to leave an honest review so next poor buggers don't get conned too.

Not only have they falsely advertised it, but you've asked them directly and they've then told you that there is private, on premises parking provided which is a total lie! Don't feel bad for reporting this, they've only got themselves to blame.

The five star reviews might be from people who travel there by public transport

Yes I guess that's possible - we've obviously no way of knowing what the listing said in the past, but it shouldn't really matter since I'd have hoped the listing would mean what it said now

It also doesn't help that my friend can't walk well, and while that's not the host's problem it's another reason we were so careful to check arrangements

Either way it's wrecked what should have been a relaxing holiday ... not nice to have any outing ruined by stress over what'll happen when we get back

And just to add we're off out again today - god help us - so if I disappear please don't anyone think I'm being rude in not replying

How much are longer are you there for? I'd be tempted to book into a Premier Inn or similar (if there are any available being half term) and go for a refund. It would stress me out and ruin my holiday not knowing if I'd have available parking.

Yes, that would make sense

As I mentioned the on-street parking is well known to be a major problem round here, so many do indeed travel without a car. However for mobility reasons this wasn't an option for us, which as said all formed part of the care we took in checking

Is there a 24 hour car park nearby?