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

The ‘unexpectedly broken’ (of the heat pump) was only announced on day 2. On arrival the hot tub which we were assured would be up and ready to use was still in a box in a shed. Took two days of nagging to get them to assemble it and then to discover that parts didn’t work. It’s a (pretty expensive these days) paid service, not a favour from a friend and I think if you offer a service then you should check everything is as promised and working prior to your customers arrival.

anyway hotels for me.

But normally, you would realise why a question was being asked and give more than a Yes/No answer, if you had nothing to hide.

Even if, in your language, 'on the premises' does mean somewhere in the wider area around the property, it would be natural to respond accordingly and give a more helpful reply:

Is there parking available on the premises?
Yes, there is lots of free parking on the street outside and in neighbouring streets.
OR
Yes, there's a private drive at the side belonging to the house with room for one medium-sized car.

Most adults who aren't deliberately trying to be cagey will give a little more helpful detail when asked a question like that.

It's the equivalent of somebody asking if you're at home for them to collect something - most people would say "I'm in for the next half-hour, but I need to go out at 3"; you wouldn't just say "Yes, I'm at home" and then leave them to waste their time when they turn up 35 minutes later and find nobody in.

Couple of answers and an update ...

We couldn't risk taking the car, so my friend stayed at home while I went out for some needed shopping. Not exactly the spending time together we'd planned for, but needs must
She wouldn't necessarily count as disabled; it's just that she broke her ankle at Christmas so can't walk very well yet without a lot of pain

Anyway I've reported it under "misrepresentation" to Air B&B through their AirCover thing, and apparently someone's going to get back to me within 4 hours

Will update of course, but will they tell tthe host I've contacted them at this stage? I'm genuinely worried about her turning up for an unppleasant confrontation at the door, or even getting back again to find we've been locked out

I seriously doubt the host would do such a thing, she still wants to keep her 5 star review I presume. Will anyone book it in the future if she locks a customer out? Most likely she'll offer some sort of discount to quell your displeasure. I would cancel the current booking and move to another more suitable accommodation as it clearly doesn't suit you and your friend. If you have a look through the airbnb site, you might find some last minute discounted units that will work better for you.

Which bit do you need a visual aid for - car or street ?

For me parking on the premises means off street parking not parking on the road.
I agree you should complain.

This.

I’ve also stayed in AirBnBs where the owner has been upfront that parking is on street only however there is a a free public car park a few minutes walk away.

From memory (I haven’t used Airbnb for years), the host has to approve the guest reviews, although can’t edit them. Perhaps the owner has not allowed any reviews through which mentioned the misrepresented parking situation?

You have 14 days after checkout to write a review . Once both guest and Host have written reviews for each other, both reviews will be published simultaneously so neither party can see beforehand what the other has written. If after 14 days only either the guest or host has reviewed the one review will be published. A guest or host can try and get Airbnb to remove a review if they feel it’s untrue/unfair.

This is why I stopped using Air BnB - because the owner can review you too. They can't see your review first, but it means that guests are less likely to complain if something is wrong, because they don't want to be reviewed badly.

We had this exact scenario at an air bnb, all 5 star reviews, no mention of the misleading parking. I was with a v forthright friend who had no qualms in leaving a poor review. That opened the floodgates for following reviews to agree that the parking (not on premises as advertised) was misleading. So I guess if nothing is resolved for you now, you can at least pay it forward by leaving an honest review!

I hadn't realised that, Starseeking, but it would certainly explain why nobody else has said anything about this - either that or, like many, they felt they didn't need a car

Anyway I've just been back on AirB&B and there are indeed dozens of other places currently available who also say "parking on premises" - though god knows if they're reliable either

So does anyone know how this would work ... would AirB&B sort out a move for us, and what happens about the money? We'd gladly pay the same of course, but can't risk doing that without being certain we'd get a refund

Hi. We had a similar problem with our Airbnb abroad last year. We travelled to a country known for its good weather and rented a property which advertised air conditioning. We were very careful with this and clarified with the owners. Reviews were excellent. When we arrived after a very long journey, the house was a furnace. Floor to ceiling windows giving a green house effect. The air conditioning was a tiny unit in a corridor off the main living area. Hopeless. We were devastated as we were meant to stay for a fortnight. Airbnb ended up being very good and we did get a refund and asked for the description to be changed. Owner didn’t see the problem though.

op I feel for you as you put work into ensuring the place had parking.

No they don’t review them.

Thanks for clarifying @Jungfraujoch@Espresso25I couldn’t recall as it’s been years since I used it.

Sorry if I caused any confusion!

Report it to AirBNB

Absolutely get in touch with Air BnB about this and say you booked it on the basis of the parking. They have lied and you should not be paying for somewhere that's not what you booked.
We booked a terrible Air BnB which claimed to have a kitchen diner - when in fact there was a tiny kitchenette in the living room, with no table or chairs. We got a full refund for misrepresentation. Air BnB hate that.

The host can't see the review unless they leave a review of the guest or wait 2 weeks, whatever comes first.
Most host reviews of me are just 'tidy, no issues' or something like that. They don't see your review first.

Just to mention again that I have escalated this to Air B&B
Someone's just messaged to ask "If I'm still having trouble finding a parking spot", so I've replied that we are, but that the real issue is that's what's available has been completely misrepresented

No this is not the case. Reviews get posted without the host seeing them.

Airbnb use AI bots to respond so it takes some effort to have a sensible discussion with someone who actually engages.

Just because they write perfect English, doesn't mean you don't get mis-interpretation!

My French ex spoke and wrote "perfect" English. There are so many "faux friends" in the English/French language. We had many mix ups with translated words that sound similar but are not.

e.g. the English word "premises" would be translated as "locale", which can also then be translated back as "local".

So the phrase "parking on premises" could therefore potentially be meaning "local" parking and NOT a misrepresentation.

Was the advert written in English, or written in French and translated?

This might be the case but when you set up a listing you have to click options and if you click parking on premises it will be clear in French what it means.

Do you have a screenshot of the French set-up page?

If you go out can you drop your friend back and then park on your own? Just so you don’t ruin your remaining days. What a pain.

Oh god

And no, I've no idea what may or may not have been originally written in French, but am not sure how that's my problem given that the place was advertised in English, for people living in England, so presumably should be made clear on that basis?

Edited to add that I don't drive, @Newgirls (vision issues), so sadly dropping off my friend then me driving around to park wouldn't be an option