I’ve stayed in a lot of airbnbs, I am also a super host on Airbnb.
This was the most tragic experience I’ve ever had. The host was a nice person and kind but the listing was not accurate and the apartment would likely be condemned by the city for safety and health concerns. During the NYC heat wave there was one window air conditioning unit that HAD to be off unless you were in the apartment. When you stay in the apartment, because it is a shared space in the living room, the AC will not cool your space, or the living room. The several times I entered the apt. (Again only slept there one night) it was hotter in the apartment than it was outdoors. Because Airbnb requires long term listings unless you own an apt in NYC, it’s not ideal for a sound nights sleep if you’re here for work. Additionally, the back door, next to the area you are meant to sleep, must remain open because the litter box for the cats is on the balcony.
There are constant power surges in the apartment and the AC can randomly turn off. It is a health hazard as defined by the NYC government and the state.
The host refused a refund, I only stayed one night. I wrote to AIRBNB 2 days later than the allowed complaint time (3 days) so they would not refund me and it was to the hosts discretion.
Next to the living area, the ceiling was rotting away from a large water leak. Towels would be set down when water would leak. The two cats, while noted in the listing, were free to wander all over the apartment. The bed is not raised, so the cats sleep and wander onto the bed. You will be covered in cat hair if you stay the night. They also roam over your belongings and your things will be covered in cat hair if left out. One also defecated directly next to my bed. Sure it happens, I get it, but the cats don’t belong in the same living space roaming around like that. Not even sure how that issue could be addressed.
There is a large vent next to and touching the bed, where your face belongs, no clue what it’s for (looks like an old laundry exhaust) that has black mold on it. The bathroom shower is deprecated, destroyed and has mold.
I used to rent an 18th century pre war apartment, I can assure you this listing was not some case of “it’s just a cute old ny apt.”
Taking the sheets off the bed revealed an ungodly amount of stains of all colors. Where the mattress was from, or how it was, unsure. It could use a mattress cover at least.
The one night I did stay, there was a horde of flies in the kitchen. The trash was kept in the kitchen hanging on a chair.
I wish the previous host had given a proper review other than “terrible” because I never would have taken this unless it was for 1 night and needed a place to crash. In which case I still would’ve taken a hostel.
Other than the things listed, it seemed like best efforts were made to clean at a surface level. Kitchen was tidy, bathroom was tidy and clean. I could deal with them not being such, as it was a shared space. Everything else needs to be addressed before anyone makes a reservation here, in my opinion. It felt like a really awful move to not give a refund for a 30 day stay where I only stayed one, but it did say the policy was set to strict.
If you choose to take this apartment, I would ask the host for clarification about the things I’ve mentioned so the picture is more clear.