As a repetitive AirBnB user, I feel that I have pretty “normal” standards. I’ve stayed in cities, in mountainside villages, in rural areas- all with different expectations (largely based on the dollar amount paid + location). With this $3600 rental (for 5 nights) on the outskirts of D.C. I had reasonable expectations- made higher by the number of 5 star reviews Sara has as a seasoned renter.
When we arrived, the home was dark, cold and damp. Nothing new (if it hadn’t been used in weeks). When we tried to turn on lights, not even 50% of the lights/lamps worked. Then, we turned on the heat…waited for 4 HOURS and the temperature in the house never got about 64. In a drafty, old house- it felt much cooler. I contacted Sara about the lighting, temperature, and lack of adequate bath towels. She did send a very kind repair man with 50+ lightbulbs and SIX washcloths (supposed to last 6 people 5 nights?). No heater because she said there were heaters on site. After debating with Sara for hours, it was indeed determined (by her repair man) that there was NO working heat on the premise. A few hours later, a friend of hers brought by heaters. Fast forward to bathtime- the 3rd floor bathroom has two MAJOR issues: 1) the shower faucet does not stay attached to the fixture- that was quite a scare as we turned on the water and the entire handle comes flying off…thankfully no toes were injured! 2) this same bathroom gets no hot water, or- not hot enough to take a comfortable shower. The temperature was probably 80, maybe even 75. Then, we went to wash the bath towels (remember, she only sent 6 washcloths) in the onsite washer/dryer located on the main floor half-bath and BAM. BLACK MOLD EVERYWHERE. It’s obvious that this owner has never cleaned her front load washer with any kind of mold inhibitor (as the manufacturer suggests every 30 days).
A few other points of frustration/disgust: the pantry is filled- with expired foods. Sara allows folks to leave unopened items in the pantry but WHY? If no one is checking the food for expiration (which welcomes pests and mold). The cabinets/drawers in the kitchen are messy and greasy. Never once did we use a dish or a cutlery without fully washing it first- it’s cleanliness was truly questionable. The mattresses are on the level of a prison. The majority of them being under 4” thick. The closets aren’t able to be used by tenants- they are FILLED with stuff (mainly broken heaters, all of which we tried to get to work…). For Sara to consider herself a minimalist, perhaps she just sends all of her clutter here. There’s vases, small votives, vases, and more vases everywhere. Clutter. And undusted. Making it worse. Lastly, the mold in this home needs to be tackled. The washer was definitely the worst, but the caving ceiling in the half bath was just as bad, the walls in the double bed room on the 3rd floor, and both showers- full of mold.
Am I frustrated? Absolutely. Do I feel like this home is a rip off? Absolutely. Will I recommend Sara’s property? NEVER. I am appalled at all of the 5-stars and I feel like those people either a) live in filth themselves, b) don’t like to give blatantly honest reviews, or c) are friends/relatives of the host.