Would be wary of staying with this host in the future. My places is not an individual family or host, it is management company. Also trading as My Places UK and Rooms4now. Not sure who the photos are on the profile picture but it was not anyone we met.
Initially very courteous but suggested a change of venue before we arrived that they felt would be more appropriate for us. We declined and it was all amicable. A few days before arrival an additional contract was emailed across, separate to what you have agreed with Airbnb, please be aware of the various charges. a handful are listed below
Check in
Midnight to 9am - £75
9am to 3pm - £45
3pm to 6pm - Free
6pm to 8pm - £55
8pm to 10pm - £65
10pm to Midnight - £75
Check out
up to 11am Free
11-2pm - £45
2-3pm - £55
3-5pm - £65
5-7pm - £75
After 7pm the full cost of another night stay.
30mins late for check in - £40 fine
The person who met us to check in was on time and polite. The house is based in Chorlton which is a good location with plenty of places to eat and drink, and close to Old Trafford for the football and cricket. Inside the house , it was very similar to student accomodation, quite basic but clean enough. The bedrooms are converted into hostel style accomodation with bunk beds in most of the rooms. The beds were comfortable however. All the bins were full at the front of the house, so am unsure whether this was due to previous group staying. The living room showed more chairs and sofas than were in the living room, and a table which didn't appear to exist.
WOULD ADVISE ANYONE STAYING HERE TO CHECK THE HOUSE THOROUGHLY WHILST CHECKING IN. EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY AND TAKE PHOTOS.
We were advised upon checking out to post the keys through the letterbox which was done. A few hours later we received a whatsapp message advising a toilet seat lid had been broken and was left seperate in one of the bathrooms. None of our group said they had done this but we had not taken any photos of the place when we checked in. This is why I would warn anyone staying to take photos of everything when checking in. I'd also insist someone is there for checkout, so you are not accused of damaging anything.
Despite none of our group saying they had done this, we were told by the My Places that a previous guest and cleaner had said the item was not separate previously. So therefore they alleged we must have done the damage.
They obtained a quote to fix the item (£15 for the lid, £35 to fit it) , this was paid a week later. After not hearing from the property that week, we received two phone calls, a voicemail, a whattsapp message, all within 5 hours demanding payment. Despite being paid by bank transfer, they also then sent further messages through Airbnb chasing for payment despite having received it earlier that day.
HOWEVER IN DOING THIS A FEW OTHER THINGS WERE REVEALED. THE PHOTOS SENT TO AIRBNB SHOW THAT THE TOILET LID WAS ATTACHED. THIS DISPUTED WHAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN TOLD. AGAIN WHY I'D ADVISE TO TAKE PHOTOS OF EVERYTHING TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL FOR FALSE ALLEGATIONS.
The quote they sent , whilst it appeared to be from a Property maintenance firm, actually ended up being a business that was registered to the same residential address as one of the businesses that My places / Rooms4Now trades as.
I WISH WE HAD READ THE REVIEWS BOTH ON AIRBNB AND GOOGLE. IT SEEMS THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD POOR EXPERIENCES, WHICH IS THEN USUALLY FOLLOWED UP WITH A REPLY FROM ROOMS4NOW, MY PLACES UK , PNJ PROPERTIES MAINTENANCE DIVISION, CASTING ASPERTIONS ANd FURTHER ALLEGATIONS.
Just be careful. Truthfully I don't know who, when or if any damage was caused. The whole scenario has left a bitter taste in the mouth, and if I had friends or family looking to stay here, i'd recommend they look elsewhere to avoid having to deal with any of the same issues.