AirBnB said they were going to “educate” the host about revising her property's info. Since she hasn't, I'm sharing my experience. I got a refund because of the issues in the amenities list, property description, and verbal communication. AirBnB agreed that her contradictory information is misleading.
I’ve never had an issue with any AirBnB I’ve stayed in (either with friends or on my own) until now. When I tried to work things out directly with the host and co-host (who doesn't live there but spends a lot of time there), the response was hostile and defensive.
I really looked forward to meeting her and I held up my end of the bargain. I cleaned the room, washed my dishes, made the bed. I was friendly and talked to her when I could. I kept to myself and was quiet. My dog was quiet and slept most of the day.
**Amenities list -
Free parking on premises – there isn’t
- There is an option for a host to choose "free street parking" but she chose premises. She's done AirBnB for years, so I find it hard to believe she doesn't know the difference. In NYC, where free parking is at a premium, this was a huge factor in my decision to drive there and to book her room.
- Before contacting AirBnB, I discussed the issue directly with the host and co-host. They became hostile and told me to pay for parking or drive around looking and walk from wherever I could find it.
- Both hosts admitted they don't know about parking since they don't own cars. I got 2 parking tickets since I didn't know the rules. The woman who's lived there for 22 years and hosts AirBnB doesn't either
Shared kitchen - true but not acceptable. She was using it all day, left dirty dishes on the stove and in the sink daily. The garbage bag is hanging from the closed refrigerator door. No garbage can.
Cleanliness - besides the kitchen
- Flies - Host leaves unscreened windows opened. Flies were in my room, the living room and kitchen landing on me and food. I asked if we could keep them closed but she didn't
Toilet paper - after I called AirBnB the first time, she left me a wet roll. I found dry ones under the bathroom sink.
Shared space - host sleeps in the living room. It's closed off.
**Property description – these wouldn’t have been an issue if they’d been disclosed properly
Host works – untrue. This should be removed from the description. I told her I'd be working there. She had friends over during the day, loud music/tv/conversation, in and out of the room.
Host uses bathroom for a few minutes each day – untrue. She is in the property all day. It’s in the room I rented. Should be removed from information.
**Verbal communication -
Privacy / Boundaries - she told me she wouldn't enter the room even to use the bathroom while I was in the room with the door closed. She would knock and wait for me to answer. Not true. She knocked and walked in without waiting.
- Talked to her directly. She yelled at me, acted like I was offending her.
- She finally said she understood. She told me she had walked in on a male guest who was naked.
- But then she messaged me thru Airbnb asking me to let her into the room. I had to reply that she knows there isn't a lock on the door and that I never told her she couldn't come in at all.