TL;DR
I checked out a few days early because I saw a cockroach in my bed for the second time. I asked for a partial refund as the place was definitely not cleared properly before I checked in (more details below). The host (Ken) was apologetic for a little bit but started responding very slowly (2 days) as a tactic to buy time and avoid the refund.
The host (Ken) was very attentive in the beginning and answered my message immediately when I had trouble locking the door on my first day.
When I moved in, I noticed lots of short curly hair in the apartment (not mine), so the place was definitely not vacuumed at all.
The linens are all stained. I ended buying my own.
The electric kettle was disgusting and had lots of black dots at the bottom. I sent a photo to Ken and he didn’t respond. I ended up buying my own.
The kitchen utensils were all dirty, sticky with dust on them. The electric kettle was disgusting and had lots of black dots at the bottom. I sent a photo to Ken and he didn’t respond. I ended up buying my own.
Then there were the little black ants. You notice them right away because there are so many. They crawl along the wall near the bathroom.
There are some major structural cracks on the walls, and lots of gaps and holes for the insects to crawl in.
Then I saw my first cockroach and noticed cockroach eggs on the towels.
I bought my own vacuum cleaner and mopped the entire apartment. Every night I would pour boiling water down the drains. That didn’t stop the black ants and cockroach.
I finally moved out when I saw the second cockroach crawling in my bed. I packed my stuff and moved into a hotel.
I sent a message to Ken and he was apologetic at first. When I requested a refund, he said his boss didn’t agree. He started using the “slow response” tactic, and reply every 2 days to buy time. I requested to keep our back-and-forth conversations on Airbnb, so I can keep a record. He continued to use WhatsApp.
I have always taken good care of the Airbnbs I stayed at, and I am not someone who would normally nitpick and leave a negative review about an AirBnb host, but this experience was definitely unacceptable.
I tried to resolve this with the host, but Ken went on radio silence when I try to resolve this with him. I asked for a partial 4 day refund, he negotiated, I reduced the requested refund and he never responded again. I asked for a response multiple times, but there was nothing. He then left me a review, so I am leaving my honest review here.
It’s also worth mentioning that this AirBnb is operated in a business building that does not allow residential stay. There’s a notice in the elevator that makes that clear. Keep in mind the host is breaking the rules to operate this AirBnb.