The worst experience I've ever had on Airbnb. I strongly advise you NOT to book this place. I've had so many problems during my two months-stay there that I don't even know where to start.
First of all, before the arrival day, the owner got in touch with me through airbnb chat saying that I'd have to pay her in cash some extra fees: 1500 Rands per month for power and water plus 1500 rands as a deposit. I told her that those extra fees were not mentioned when I booked her place and that it was against airbnb policy. I got in touch with airbnb customer service and they advised me not to pay for the fees and they said they would "educate" her about that since it was her first experience with the platform.
On the arrival day, the owner received me and my brother at her apartment and there were some unpleasant surprises.
There is a TV at the apartment, but she told me that if I wanted to watch it, I would have to pay for the cable tv. So, you must know that the TV doesn't work, unless you pay for it. When I asked her about the "pocket wifi" that was included on the listing, she could not find the device at the apartment and said that probably her last guests had taken it.She said she had a terrible experience with previous guests. I felt sorry for her, but that was not my bussiness.
She also told me that if I wanted to have wifi, I would have to pay for data.
Again, that was not stated previously and so I was really disappointed.
As she couldn't find the wifi device, she told me she would go and buy one. Minutes later, she came back with a sticker and 3G "free wifi".
I tried to talk to her and explain that it was not the deal and that I shouldn't have to buy data. However, talking to her was just pointless. So, I got in touch with airbnb support and they made her provide what was in the deal. A week later, she provided the wifi device and 80G. As a matter of fact, it was 40G during the day and 40G at night, but I only found that out when we ran out of data.
Again, I got on touch with airbnb to say that we were running out of data and that I could not talk to the host anymore. Two days later, airbnb provided money for me to buy data.
I made the terrible mistake of getting in touch with her through WhatsApp. When I was talking to her about the issues with the TV, she forwarded me a message with the exact words: "Mignon IF you have an problem or cancellation , I DO have someone for you from 27th November for 4 months. 😊 I know you said only next year though. Sincerely, Wendy*
Once again, I had to get in touch with airbnb and I told them about the message and how it sounded for me like she didn't want me and my brother to be at her apartment. I was feeling so uncomfortable with all the situation, that all I wanted was to leave the apartment.
The support told me they would get in touch with her and if that were confirmed it could be a "mutual cancelation" , so I wouldn't have to pay any fees.
For my surprise, she did not agree with the mutual cancelation, so I understood it was a bluff.
By that time, I didn't know what more to expect from this host.
On the due day of the payment of the second installment I received an email from airbnb saying that there was a problem with the transaction. The thing is my country is 5h behind South African time and I had to wait for the bank agency to open (it was still night time in Brazil) so I could get in touch with my manager and solve the matter. I answered airbnb email saying exactly that.
Later on, the host got in touch with me through WhatsApp saying that I had 3h to fulfill the payment, otherwise she would cancel my staying and I would have 24h to leave the apartment.
I explained her that it must had been a problem with the credit card transaction and that I was waiting for the banks to open in Brazil. She seemed to have got pretty mad and started saying some crazy things requiring things as if I hadn't book her place trough airnbnb but direct from her.
For instance, she wanted me to make the payment as a deposit on her own bank account. Besides that, she said she didn't agree with airbnb payment deal and she tried to change the due date of the last parcel.
I told her that was not right and that I would follow airnbnb instructions. Besides that, the payment was not delayed since that was actually the due date, so I had 24h to COMPLETE the payment.
Then, all of a sudden she said:
"It is our property, not theirs [airbnb's]. You must vacate by 2.00pm tomorrow. We plus friends will be moving in for the weekend tomorrow at 2 pm".
All of this in only 15 minutes of a conversation.
By that time, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure if I should solve the payment issue, since it sounded to me that she was threatening me.
She said that she and her husband would be there at the apartment the following day in the morning and that we had to leave the flat.
Anyway, I solved the payment issue, but still I was not sure about what the host could do. I was really frightened after all the things she had said to me. I told airbnb about everything and that from that day on, I would not talk to her