Host contacted me prior to my arrival and showed me where the keys was. I spoke to her and she was very nice and helpful. She also left some tea &coffee. However, my less than 24-hour experience at 146 Dalston Lane was terrible and life threatening and this has changed my perception about airbnb. Never again! First the flat is on the top floor with no lift. I struggled taking my big suitcase up the stairs. The bathroom and toilet area were clean. The bedroom and furniture are quite old and antique. I woke at 3:30 am on 15th April to use the toilet. The bedroom door won’t open. Host has asked me to leave the bedroom key outside (the top of the ceil of the door) because the door had lock issues. All attempts to open the door failed and host was not in London. The bedroom window only opens at a fingers length! It was life threatening for me. I was frightened, heart panting and tried to get fresh air from the small window opening. I called 999 for the police. The ambulance team had access to the entrance flat door because her neighbour had a spare key. On arrival into the flat, the ambulance team of 3 couldn’t open the bedroom door with the bedroom key outside.
This is a health and safety issue because in the event of fire, a human being cannot enter through the window to rescue.
The ambulance broke the bedroom lock and I was able to come out. I requested refund for the rest of the days. Host was happy to make a full refund. While leaving the flat her neighbour came out and she helped me with my suitcase down the stairs. I checked into a hotel for the rest of the days.