Avoid at all cost!
Matt and Brooke texted me the next day after check out that their cleaner informed them that we damaged one of the blinds and extra cleaning fees will be incurred based on water stains on the mirror.
Well here’s the thing (1) we have photo and video evidence that the entire apartment (including all blinds) was in the condition it was when we arrived. When probed, Matt and Brooke sent a photo of a blind in the living area which was vastly different from the photo & video we have of the apartment, taken just before we locked and left the apartment.
(2) we have only used household cleaning agents to clean/disinfect the house upon our arrival. This is something we have done consistently since the onset of the pandemic and we’ve had no such issues with hosts. It is ridiculous for Matt and Brooke to demand cleaning fee for water marks and while they claim there were greases and stains left around the house, the only photo proof is that of water marks on the mirror but as compared, we have full photo and video evidence of the state of apartment when we left. In that case, there were also some stains and in fact lots of dust in many areas - should we also demand for cleaning fee which was charged to us during booking?
The fact that we have absolute proof of the state of the apartment has been made known to the hosts and let’s hope they take this opportunity to learn a lesson not to (a) rely on their “cleaner’s” words (b) not to demand for such unreasonable payment from guests which is deemed to be scrupulous, extortion and perhaps dishonest in that manner. Imagine a guest with no proof that they did not cause any damage, should they have to pay just because the owner supposedly raise a dispute?
It seems that Matt and Brooke conveniently shrieked all responsibility by saying the complaints were made by their cleaners. Well the onus is on the hosts to check the apartment and ensure a pleasant stay for guests, perhaps they should rid third parties from this process lest there’s any unnecessary issue and trouble for guests. I have been using airbnb for close to 10 years, with visits across continents and this is my first such experience. Perhaps Airbnb needs to screen hosts more thoroughly and ban such unscrupulous and dishonest hosts.