The flat was not at all what we were expected per the Airbnb website and as first impressions, it was disappointing.
The first thing that greets you is a metal mesh barrier on the high street with a damaged flat buzzer key pad that you have to enter with a key.
You then climb 2 flights of stairs to an uncovered terrace. Next walk about 20m to another door, unlock it and climb another flight of stairs to the entrance of the flat. Both staircases need maintenance as paint coming off and stripping on stairs peeling away.
Upon entering the flat, you will see the entrance to another apartment within the flat we rented. The host said the door to the loft flat was in front of our door which I understood to be a separate door before entering our apartment (i.e in front of..) but this was not so. One had to enter our apartment to access the loft flat.
This meant the occupant of the loft flat could access our apartment any time night or day and I was not comfortable with this as I was travelling with 2 children and hesitant to go to work and leave them alone at home.
The host gave us individual keys for each bedroom when I voiced my concerns but to me it made absolutely no sense why one has to consider locking yourself in your bedroom when living in your own flat.
The apartment was basic. Kitchen was not cleaned thoroughly - there was a frying pan under the countertop cupboards on the floor and still rubbish in the bin. Also there was exposed cabling not safely channeled through conduits.
We had issues with hot water - first day host came and fixed but we experienced same on second day. While on hot water setting, water temperature would fluctuate on its own between hot and cold.
In fairness, the host was responsive but believe he should be share pictures of the entry from the main road so guests know what to expect. Also he must be clear that the occupier of the loft flat has full access at all times to the flat we rented.
I spent more than GBP700 for one night as a result of the T&C’s so please do your check thoroughly.
In summary, my biggest concern safety. Next time I will exercise more due diligence as I was not expecting this from an Airbnb property.