I needed a flat for five nights to finish up some work I had in the area. I really wanted to enjoy this flat.
I don’t enjoy writing negative reviews but Rebecca was so uncouth, crass and so hellbent on proving me wrong to stay in good-graces with Airbnb rather than just addressing the issues presented.
Check in-
Lockbox outside. Walk down a flight of steps. I had to balance my luggage on the last step as there was an older washing machine sitting right in front of the door. The old washing machine blocks part of the entry way. This rogue washing machine outside served as a precursor of what was to ensue.
The door/windows-
The apartment was really warm when I walked in so I tried to open a window. I couldn’t open these. I am familiar with the various locking mechanisms in the UK and couldn’t get one thing to budge, crack or open.
Washer-
After not being able to crack a window, I immediately threw in a load of laundry. After six minutes, the washer started to beep, and I got an error that said E-10. I looked this up and the error indicated that the washer was clogged as it could not drain. I tried a few more times with no luck and messaged Rebecca. She told me she had never heard of this and would have to get someone out the next day to look at it. The washer was locked with all of my clothes in it and I was left in my pajamas and my winter coat.
WiFi-
Trying to make the best of the clothes situation, I just decided to hook up to the Wi-Fi as I had work to do. The signal was low- between 1-2 bars. I asked Rebecca if I was sharing WiFi with the flat above as the Airbnb rules stated she owns that too. She seemed insulted that I’d ask and told me to turn the router on and off.
I tried the washer a few more times with no avail. I could not get a strong enough signal on the Wi-Fi to load up any of my work. I ran a WiFi speed test and it was between 2-3 Mbps.
It seemed like Rebecca would just hope I went away and seeing that I wasn’t getting anywhere, I left and checked into a hotel that night as I needed WiFi to work.
I came back the next day and luckily the washer was unlocked. I pulled out my soaking wet clothes and put them into a bag. I tried to run a few loads on different settings with nothing in the washer. Kept getting the same error.
I messaged Rebecca again and explained the situation and that I still needed some guidance and received no response. I began packing my things as I was going to leave and find a new flat.
The refrigerator-
All of my food I just put in the night before went bad. The refrigerator was not on. I never would have thought to check to see if the refrigerator was on because why would it be off? I was too busy trouble shooting the WiFi and washer. Rebecca insinuated that I turned the fridge off. Right... because I wanted to throw away all of the food I had purchased the day before.
I contacted Airbnb and let them know it was happening. I told them I needed to check out and I was finding a new place.
Checkout-
Considering I was only there a few hours and it was mainly staring at the broken washing machine, I picked up my belongings, what was left of my food, and left the keys on the table as outlined in the Airbnb rules. The rules also stated failing to follow those instructions would result in a fee. So, I did just that.
I got a text from Rebecca hours later stating that her and somebody else were going to stop by. I told her I checked out of the flat and I wish she could’ve given me some guidance sooner. She told me she’s a full time Airbnb host, not a mechanic. Ok...
She said she washer turns on and showed me a picture. I told her yes, it turns on, but an error occurs 6 minutes into using the washer. I said try a load, wait 6 minutes and you’ll see the error.
She said the WiFi works. I told her the WiFi runs at 2-3 mbps. Webpages don’t load. The Airbnb app wouldn’t even load. She sent me a screenshot which ironically showed 1 bar of WiFi.
She then told me the fridge works and told me I turned it off.
She said I broke the rules as I didn’t leave the keys in the right spot. I took a screenshot of her rules that said to leave the keys on the table in which I did. She then reported to Airbnb that I had lost the keys though I provided a photo of them left on the table. Petty. Just stop.
Her uncouth and uncivil attitude and responses were more about proving me somehow wrong rather than actually addressing the issues at hand.
Nightmare.