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Airbnb was once touted as the most brilliant and innovative way to travel. No more dealing with the hassle of checking in at a hotel front desk, chatting with a friendly receptionist, receiving free breakfast with your stay, and having access to a pool and cozy beds. Instead, you can search in the dark for 10 minutes outside a stranger’s apartment until you find their lock box, stay in their place that may or may not have been cleaned in the past month, and scrub it clean upon leaving or you’ll receive a negative review. Oh yeah, and don’t forget that $85 per night cleaning fee.
In recent years, more and more travelers have been opting to use other companies or simply stay in a hotel, rather than booking through Airbnb. And in this article, we’ve got one story that might make you swear off the rental service for good.
Below, you’ll find one guest’s detailed account of a terrible experience she recently had with a negligent Airbnb host, that she later shared on the Petty Revenge subreddit. We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments, and feel free to share whether you love or hate Airbnb. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article highlighting some of the problems Airbnb has, look no further than right here!
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After dealing with a negligent host of an illegal Airbnb, this guest decided to get petty revenge
Image credits: daryl_mitchell (not the actual photo)
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Image credits: Anna Tarazevich (not the actual photo)
Credits: riddix
Later, the guest answered the burning question of why she was willing to replace her host’s TV
I used to love Airbnb, and I’ve stayed in them countless times in various places all over the world. However, I have to admit that in recent years, I’ve been opting more for hotels and hostels rather than stays at apartments hosted by individuals. One of the main reasons I’ve started supporting Airbnb less is because of the ridiculous price gouging on stays, but there are plenty of other reasons the service just isn’t as appealing as it used to be. For one thing, illegal stays might be more common than you realize. The guest in this story did not feel completely comfortable staying somewhere that she had to lie about, but it appears that plenty of hosts around the world see no issue with that.
In fact, illegal Airbnbs have been running business for many years. Apparently, in 2014, 72% of Airbnb rentals in New York City were illegal. According to US News, it can be a complicated process ensuring that an Airbnb is run legally. This includes understanding the current regulations for the site and where the host lives, the host must be renting legally, and they must have the proper insurance to host an Airbnb. If you’re staying in an illegal place, there is always a risk that the landlord or building owner will come knocking, and that confrontation is the last thing you want to deal with while on vacation. Sometimes, it’s safer to just book a regular hotel instead.
The ethics of Airbnb are also questionable in many places. When too many apartments and homes are being snatched up and then rented out to travelers, it becomes increasingly hard for locals to find a place to live. And even if they do, there’s always a chance that the apartment next door will become an Airbnb, where a variety of strangers will be coming in and out every few days. In 2019, ten European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Krakow, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Vienna) actually banded together to demand more help from the EU due to the “explosive growth” of Airbnb in their cities.
“European cities believe homes should be used first and foremost for living in,” the cities said in a statement released by Amsterdam city council. “Many suffer from a serious housing shortage. Where homes can be rented out more lucratively to tourists, they vanish from the traditional housing market.”
We all love to travel, but there is no point in visiting a place if you’re only becoming a burden on residents. So if you’re looking for an option that’s a bit safer than Airbnb but will still provide you with a comfortable place to stay, why not check out Vrbo, Booking.com, the Plum Guide, Agoda Homes, Homestay, or Sonder? These platforms are similar in the way that they’re extremely easy to book, but they tend to have a bit more oversight than Airbnb. Hotels are never a guarantee that you’ll have amazing service, but they do tend to be less risky than Airbnbs. And if you still want the experience of staying somewhere cozier than a hotel, there are plenty of options on these sites.
This particular story does make me hesitant to ever book an Airbnb again, but hopefully, nobody else will be able to book that particular one because it appears it will be shut down soon! We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation, pandas, and then if you’re interested in checking out another article that might make you want to convert to a loyal Booking.com user, you can find that right here!
Many readers noted their shared dissatisfaction for Airbnb and reminded the woman that a hotel might be her best bet for future travels
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Pamela24 3 years ago
The thing that bothers me most about this story is that the host wasn't allowed to have an Airbnb in the house in the first place and just happily ignored the rules. I'm glad OP put a stop to this, Airbnb is one of significant contributors to a lack of affordable housing in many places, just use hotels, please.
Roman Hans 3 years ago
I called NY housing enforcement on an illegal Airbnb directly above my apartment. (They flooded the bathroom TWICE, leaking into my unit, & the host refused to do anything.) Inspectors came, knocked on the door, & because the renters didn't answer THEY LEFT. Airbnb ruins buildings & raises rents (which is why many if not most are illegal). Sincere thanks to the poster for shutting this down.
Load More Replies...
Panda Kicki 3 years ago
I am amazed at all Airbnb horror stories. Must be differences between countries, as all my Airbnbs in Poland, Czech and Sweden has been lovely and affordable, mostly a 10 dollar cleaning fee. Met by milk in the fridge and cookies in a bowl, pantries with pasta and basic stuff, nice hosts giving us rides to train for free... For a price a fraction of hotels. I hope it stays like this.
Drew 3 years ago
Just like hotels, you get good ones and bad ones. You read the reviews before. The only problems I've had have been at the booking stage with somebody misadvertising a shared house as an entire place, but airbnb dealt with that. Generally I'd rather stay somewhere that feels like a home than a hotel. But some people prefer hotels. Other people hostels. They are different experiences for different people with different needs / standards.
Load More Replies...
Zephyr343 3 years ago
I don't do AirBnB or VRBO. Like others said, why gamble on a vacation? I have heard tons of horror stories about hidden fees, messy houses, and broken items. The last thing I want to do on vacation is worry about cleaning a house before I leave. And if it is illegal to rent out your unit based on your association bylaws, get it shut down! People pay good money to live in their condos and feel safe in their community. I wouldn't want to live in a condo below someone that rents it out weekly and have anyone and everyone walking through the halls or making noise at all hours of the day
Matt Mosher 3 years ago
I have zero sympathy for the airbnb owner. Affordable housing is hard to find for many people because of owners like these. Buying the tv was not needed and you shouldn't have to do the damn laundry from other guests. Its rediculous.
Cat enthusiast 3 years ago
Here’s some advice. Check every review you can find, scroll very far, once I stayed at a hotel on salt springs island, it was a dump, it was so gross and not cleaned very well, rot in the shower, so gross. I feel so bad for this woman and I’m glad she got to get revenge. This was a good story.
ShareMusic 3 years ago
I've had very good and mediocre AirBnb experiences. I'm fine with the mediocre places as long as the prices reflect the quality. (There's mediocre hotels, too.) My biggest beef with AirBnb is that I don't know how much it's going to cost until it's time to pay. I also think all per diem fees should be included in the rent. Why should I pay 5 cleaning fees for a 5-night stay when it's cleaned only once after I leave?
Elizabeth Fatur 3 years ago
I am an air bnb host and a traveller who uses air bnbs. The minite the host told this woman to lie she should've called air bnb and they would not only have made sure that she was refunded, they would have found her another air bnb and or hotel . Their resolution team is very responsive. Same thing with any issue including if you check in and feel the place isnt clean. I would say to any traveller: do not wait until the end of your stay to complain. I hear alot of people saying that they have returned to hotels but my experience is its a c**p shoot either way (air bnb or hotel) . Hotels are understaffed and unable to provide the high standards they used to. When i check in to hotels I come with my own clening supplies, sorry to say, and I wipe everything down. More often than not, it is the hotels that have filthy counter tops, unvacuumed areas and burnt out staffs. This is an unfortunate reality following Covid. Customer service has suffered due to staffing issues.
Betty 3 years ago
Its hilarious that you actually think airbnb is helping
Load More Replies...
Christos Arvanitis 3 years ago
This was a terrible host. But I put some responsibility on the guest. 4.5 stars? That is a HUGE red flag. In the Airbnb world, this is essentially a failing grade. They never should have rented the place just on that alone. And telling them to lie and say they are staying for a month? Also a huge red flag. Don't rent with them. My wife and I are hosts and we bend over backwards to accommodate everybody. Sometimes things happen but how you respond makes a difference. We have guests returning 6 years in a row. This was a terrible host but the guest chose to rent from a terrible host that was evident from the 4.5 rating. Just read the reviews for a 4.5 host and you'll see that the warning signs were there- my guess is that it said that the place was dirty, things were broken. We won't stay at an Airbnb or VRBO with a low rating like that. Also, I agree that hotels are often a better choice when you are staying in a single room. Still prefer short term rent for a whole house for a group.
madbakes 3 years ago
I don't think many people would think 4.5 stars is a red flag. I'd think that it's a very good choice.
Load More Replies...
James Sommers 3 years ago
The only times I stay at airbnb's is if they're super cheap and I'm traveling alone. I would never put my wife and children into a dirty or dangerous situation. Some people on here claim hotels are a c**p shoot. Maybe if you're staying at comfort inn. If you're staying at any of the Hilton chain I've never had a bad experience. Plus, Hilton always guarantees you your money back if you're not completely satisfied with your stay. This also includes their economy chain, Hampton inn.
Pamela24 3 years ago
The thing that bothers me most about this story is that the host wasn't allowed to have an Airbnb in the house in the first place and just happily ignored the rules. I'm glad OP put a stop to this, Airbnb is one of significant contributors to a lack of affordable housing in many places, just use hotels, please.
Roman Hans 3 years ago
I called NY housing enforcement on an illegal Airbnb directly above my apartment. (They flooded the bathroom TWICE, leaking into my unit, & the host refused to do anything.) Inspectors came, knocked on the door, & because the renters didn't answer THEY LEFT. Airbnb ruins buildings & raises rents (which is why many if not most are illegal). Sincere thanks to the poster for shutting this down.
Load More Replies... Panda Kicki 3 years ago
I am amazed at all Airbnb horror stories. Must be differences between countries, as all my Airbnbs in Poland, Czech and Sweden has been lovely and affordable, mostly a 10 dollar cleaning fee. Met by milk in the fridge and cookies in a bowl, pantries with pasta and basic stuff, nice hosts giving us rides to train for free... For a price a fraction of hotels. I hope it stays like this.
Drew 3 years ago
Just like hotels, you get good ones and bad ones. You read the reviews before. The only problems I've had have been at the booking stage with somebody misadvertising a shared house as an entire place, but airbnb dealt with that. Generally I'd rather stay somewhere that feels like a home than a hotel. But some people prefer hotels. Other people hostels. They are different experiences for different people with different needs / standards.
Load More Replies... Zephyr343 3 years ago
I don't do AirBnB or VRBO. Like others said, why gamble on a vacation? I have heard tons of horror stories about hidden fees, messy houses, and broken items. The last thing I want to do on vacation is worry about cleaning a house before I leave. And if it is illegal to rent out your unit based on your association bylaws, get it shut down! People pay good money to live in their condos and feel safe in their community. I wouldn't want to live in a condo below someone that rents it out weekly and have anyone and everyone walking through the halls or making noise at all hours of the day
Matt Mosher 3 years ago
I have zero sympathy for the airbnb owner. Affordable housing is hard to find for many people because of owners like these. Buying the tv was not needed and you shouldn't have to do the damn laundry from other guests. Its rediculous.
Cat enthusiast 3 years ago
Here’s some advice. Check every review you can find, scroll very far, once I stayed at a hotel on salt springs island, it was a dump, it was so gross and not cleaned very well, rot in the shower, so gross. I feel so bad for this woman and I’m glad she got to get revenge. This was a good story.
ShareMusic 3 years ago
I've had very good and mediocre AirBnb experiences. I'm fine with the mediocre places as long as the prices reflect the quality. (There's mediocre hotels, too.) My biggest beef with AirBnb is that I don't know how much it's going to cost until it's time to pay. I also think all per diem fees should be included in the rent. Why should I pay 5 cleaning fees for a 5-night stay when it's cleaned only once after I leave?
Elizabeth Fatur 3 years ago
I am an air bnb host and a traveller who uses air bnbs. The minite the host told this woman to lie she should've called air bnb and they would not only have made sure that she was refunded, they would have found her another air bnb and or hotel . Their resolution team is very responsive. Same thing with any issue including if you check in and feel the place isnt clean. I would say to any traveller: do not wait until the end of your stay to complain. I hear alot of people saying that they have returned to hotels but my experience is its a c**p shoot either way (air bnb or hotel) . Hotels are understaffed and unable to provide the high standards they used to. When i check in to hotels I come with my own clening supplies, sorry to say, and I wipe everything down. More often than not, it is the hotels that have filthy counter tops, unvacuumed areas and burnt out staffs. This is an unfortunate reality following Covid. Customer service has suffered due to staffing issues.
Betty 3 years ago
Its hilarious that you actually think airbnb is helping
Load More Replies... Christos Arvanitis 3 years ago
This was a terrible host. But I put some responsibility on the guest. 4.5 stars? That is a HUGE red flag. In the Airbnb world, this is essentially a failing grade. They never should have rented the place just on that alone. And telling them to lie and say they are staying for a month? Also a huge red flag. Don't rent with them. My wife and I are hosts and we bend over backwards to accommodate everybody. Sometimes things happen but how you respond makes a difference. We have guests returning 6 years in a row. This was a terrible host but the guest chose to rent from a terrible host that was evident from the 4.5 rating. Just read the reviews for a 4.5 host and you'll see that the warning signs were there- my guess is that it said that the place was dirty, things were broken. We won't stay at an Airbnb or VRBO with a low rating like that. Also, I agree that hotels are often a better choice when you are staying in a single room. Still prefer short term rent for a whole house for a group.
madbakes 3 years ago
I don't think many people would think 4.5 stars is a red flag. I'd think that it's a very good choice.
Load More Replies... James Sommers 3 years ago
The only times I stay at airbnb's is if they're super cheap and I'm traveling alone. I would never put my wife and children into a dirty or dangerous situation. Some people on here claim hotels are a c**p shoot. Maybe if you're staying at comfort inn. If you're staying at any of the Hilton chain I've never had a bad experience. Plus, Hilton always guarantees you your money back if you're not completely satisfied with your stay. This also includes their economy chain, Hampton inn.
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