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Airbnb problem, need advice

18 replies

SchoolMum66 · 08/08/2024 23:24

We are 5 days into an 8 day stay at an airbnb house, with a pool (in a shared garden with another house the host owns, but no one has been in residence there until today). When we arrived at the start of the week the house was not clean (fish scraps in bins, dirty floors etc) as well as other things not working, so I messaged through airbnb to let the owner know. She was very defensive and denied it! She has arrived today to stay in the other house for the weekend, and has told us that we cannot use the pool now for the rest of our stay because I complained about the lack of cleaning. There was a 15 minute tirade of abuse towards us about me telling airbnb. Eventually she said (after I pointed out that she should give us a partial refund if we can't use the pool) that we can use the pool (for very restricted time) if we report to airbnb that there are no problems. I consider this blackmail. I feel I should tell airbnb about this now, but my husband says not to as they will want to act and sort out the problem by moving us to another place. We don't want this as it would be a complete hassle, packing with children etc to move for a couple of days. Does anyone have experience of a situation like this and know what the best approach is with airbnb? Tell them now? Tell them later? Thank you.

OP posts:
Forthelovagod · 08/08/2024 23:28

Tell them now for sure
They are reluctant to help retrospectively.
Good luck. Ive been there and it's so time consuming trying to sort it out, really taints the holiday

samarrange · 09/08/2024 00:00

Did you take pictures of the state at the start of the stay? Those will help a lot.

I would tell them now. They might offer a move, but you can turn that down. As a minimum you ought to be able to ask them to refund you the cleaning charge, since the owner clearly just pocketed it (and/or the cleaner skived off).

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/08/2024 00:00

Aka air bnb for a big reduction as the place wasn't as Advertised and tell her you'll tell all in the review unless she partially refunds you - two can play the blackmail game

Justsayit123 · 09/08/2024 04:29

Tell them now!

Mumofoneandone · 09/08/2024 04:52

Inform air BnB, even if nothing can be done but protects you if there's any complaints later on from the owner. Carry on using the pool as and when, as that's part of the package. Leave an honest review when you leave.

Worriedpanda50 · 09/08/2024 04:55

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PeriIsKickingMyButt · 09/08/2024 05:14

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Bollocks. She shouldn't run her business so badly. She deserves a bad review and Airbnb to take sanctions.

OP what were the other reviews like? Make sure you leave an honest one.

Worriedpanda50 · 09/08/2024 05:25

They might deserve a bad review but live isn't fair and sucking it up to use the pool makes sense to me.

Sweetteaplease · 09/08/2024 05:25

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Wtf

Fraaahnces · 09/08/2024 05:43

Tell them.

Fraaahnces · 09/08/2024 05:44

Email the owners to get an email chain of evidence of blackmail. If not, get DH to video them.

AnnieMcFanny · 09/08/2024 06:10

You have to tell Airbnb.

Beautifulsunflowers · 09/08/2024 06:22

Tell them 100%

SirChenjins · 09/08/2024 06:28

Agree with telling Airbnb now - and make sure you get video evidence. Email the owner confirming your conversation too, and use that as evidence.

(Also ignore that maddie upthread)

SchoolMum66 · 09/08/2024 07:48

Thank you for your responses. I am thinking reasons for reporting to Airbnb now... possibly more chance of refund of at least the cleaning fee. I did take some photos at the beginning of the week and sent to Airbnb, but they don't really show much, as a grimy, sticky floor, dust, cobwebs etc don't really show up in photos.
Reasons for waiting until we leave to report... At least we get to use the pool a bit for our last couple of days, as from the hosts behaviour yesterday she is obviously so unreasonable and aggressive that she would ban us from using the pool. Obviously terrible for the children, as the main thing is the pool. (we're from UK, on holiday in France).
My other concern is by reporting her at all, or leaving an honest review (also other things like oven doesn't work etc, as well as lack of cleanliness and now verbal abuse) will risk her being able to leave a negative review about me as a guest. Does anyone know, can she do this?
Any advice from previous experience of a situation like this welcome. Thank you.

OP posts:
Bruisername · 09/08/2024 08:17

shes going to leave you a bad review anyone so I wouldn’t factor that in to your decision.

I would tell Airbnb as she is going to try and ruin your last few days anyway. I don’t know where in France you are but maybe nice day trips will be more relaxing

Mumofoneandone · 09/08/2024 08:44

SchoolMum66 · 09/08/2024 07:48

Thank you for your responses. I am thinking reasons for reporting to Airbnb now... possibly more chance of refund of at least the cleaning fee. I did take some photos at the beginning of the week and sent to Airbnb, but they don't really show much, as a grimy, sticky floor, dust, cobwebs etc don't really show up in photos.
Reasons for waiting until we leave to report... At least we get to use the pool a bit for our last couple of days, as from the hosts behaviour yesterday she is obviously so unreasonable and aggressive that she would ban us from using the pool. Obviously terrible for the children, as the main thing is the pool. (we're from UK, on holiday in France).
My other concern is by reporting her at all, or leaving an honest review (also other things like oven doesn't work etc, as well as lack of cleanliness and now verbal abuse) will risk her being able to leave a negative review about me as a guest. Does anyone know, can she do this?
Any advice from previous experience of a situation like this welcome. Thank you.

Believe if someone leaves an unreasonable/revenge poor review against you, you can request air BnB remove it.
Her behaviour towards you is unacceptable and possibly needs reporting directly to air BnB - more likely to adversely affect her than you tho.

Worriedpanda50 · 09/08/2024 16:06

She can't leave a bad review for you on the basis of seeing your bad review. Guests or hosts don't see each other's reviews until each has submitted one. However if you complain to Airbnb she will know what is coming. Airbnb always side with the guest so you will get a refund of some degree or offer of alternative accommodation. There maybe an option for the host to ask you to leave though, I am not sure.

You may be too late to complain about hygiene now and get a refund. I think the rules state the timings. You defo can't do it after you leave. Call them and see what they say. You don't have to agree to anything.

Good luck anyway. The host is disgraceful. Personally I think I would just allow myself to be blackmailed to salvage the holiday and the kids to have a good time. It isn't moral and you would have you would have to make your peace with it otherwise the unjust situation would ruin the holiday. These are your hard won and hard worked for holidays try to enjoy it. There's no easy resolution to this situation

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