i have been using Air Bnb for several years and I have never had an experience like this. I booked the place for my Dad as he has a cat allergy and the place where I was staying (around the corner) had a cat. He had forgotten his athsma pump so was having difficulty breathing. I booked on the day as the place was on Instant book. However the host did not respond. A check in slot was given so we walked down to the property and saw the host. Initially he asked us to come back in an hour so that he could get the room ready. We were fine with that but then he changed his mind. He asked us to try to book somewhere else first before staying at his place (I had paid £70 for the night). I explained that it was already late and we were quite certain that we needed the place as my Dad (he is in his mid 50s and very underweight and has two lung conditions) was already having difficulties with his breathing and needed to rest. We were outside the house in the dark and the rain. The man was apologetic but his language was strange. He kept saying it would be 'slightly inconvenient' for him to accomodate us as he would have to open the sofa. He then changed his story and said that he had friends coming in the morning. He also explained that he was willing to refund half of the money. So he wanted £35 for rejecting paying customers at his door late at night in the dark and the rain because it would slightly inconvenience him. I explained to this man that there is the possibility of setting up his Air Bnb so that he could approve bookings before payment went through, and reminded him that he had set it up so that instant booking was possible and his room was available to book for that day. My father and I are both well travelled and neither of us have encountered behaviour like this in any country in the world. We left the property in shock. You could not pay me to stay in a building with any connection to this host, I would not feel safe. What kind of person not only turns people away at his door like this, but also wants to take money from them? I would suggest you avoid this host at all costs.