I booked this apartment for one month of remote working in Rome because the introductory text promised top-end service, good wifi and a working space with a comfortable chair. However, things didn´t work out quite as I had expected.
Before the arrival I send the host a message to verify how fast the internet connection was. The idea was that if the internet speed would not be enough, I could get a remote modem from Finland and take it with me. I sent the message to the host on the 19th of October. On the 31st, a couple of days before departure, I sent a new message as the host had not replied. The host then answered that he did not know how fast the internet was.
The second problem was that one day before departure I still had not received info on how to get inside the apartment. The info was promised to arrive well before arrival. I then sent the host a message asking for the info. He then sent me a link later in the evening with a link. The link takes to an app where you have to upload your ID and a bunch of other personal documents. It was quite complicated to be honest, but finally I managed to finish the sign in and open the front door. However, finding the apartment door proved to be challenging as the instructions were not really well written and the C-part of the house was quite hard to find. When I got in the apartment, exhausted, I first noticed a cockroach in front of the door and killed it. I then found a second one in the kitchen sink. It was unsettling, but I decided that it would need more than two cockroaches to unsettle me.
I, however, did not have to wait long. On the 8th, I woke up early in the morning to find more than 15 cockroaches on the kitchen table. I took photos and a video and then contacted the host. This time the host answered promptly and the pesticide company later that day. They were in the apartment for 5 minutes and left without telling me what they had done and whether I could eat in the kitchen.
I then sent the host a message asking clarification on the question above and also was something more going to be done. I also told him that paying 1400 e month for a cockroach infested apartment was not right and I expected financial compensation.
I did not receive any answer until the 10th when he informed me that I can eat in the kitchen and that the company would come for a second time in a few days. I said that the there were still a lot of cockroaches and the situation was not acceptable. By this time I had also contacted the Airbnb staff. I understood that the Airbnb staff could not reach the host either. The host replied to me finally on the 16th if he could come in an hour with the company. He did not answer any of my concerns. I answered the host later that day that I had been away from the apartment the whole day. I also gave him the permission to go to the apartment any time he would see fit to continue the pest management. I also asked him where was the microwave that was promised in the introductory text. I needed it for making food. Also the pots and pans in the kitchen were so worn out, every time you cooked something, the bottom of the pot would burn in, taking huge amounts of time to clean. I also asked about the financial compensation again.
I also brought up the issue that as I was staying for one month, I would have to clean the apartment also. I asked for some basic cleaning supplies like a vacuum bags, trash bags. The host replied that those weren´t included and there was a small broom on the balcony that I could use. I consider it to be quite inadequate that you rent an apartment for one month, write that the guest is responsible for cleaning and the also expect the guest to buy his own cleaning supplies. Not really the 360' service I was promised in the introductory text. Also the shower was partly broken and the bedroom windows would not stay shut when it was windy, letting in water. There were also no sheets for the blanked which felt unhygienic.
For the next 7 days I received no reply to any of my concerns. On the 23th, I sent a new message asking what is going on. He then answered, asking if he could come on the 25th. I replied again that he could come anytime. The company arrived on the 25th, were there for 5 minutes and left.
And the cockroach issue continued with no change. I found approximately 2-3 cockroaches each of which I would always try to take a photo. However, they being fast, I could not always manage to do it.
On the 27th I sent a new message, saying that the issue had not been resolved and all of my concerns were still unaddressed. To this day, I did not receive a reply from the host regarding these questions.
From the Airbnbs side, I also have to say, not much was done. They did not manage to reach the host to my knowledge and the behaviour of the host did not change. Airbnb offered me first to compensate me -50% for the night when I found the cockroaches. Getting 25e of compensation for a cockroach infested apartment I had paid 1400e a month for felt like ridiculous. Finally, they offered me -50% for 5 nights. I was still not happy with the offer, but they gave me 24h to decide. The other option would have been that I could look for an another apartment and receive 200e gift card.
Having so