This was the worst experience that I have ever had with Airbnb. From the very start of my stay, Tema made my guest, and I very uncomfortable with her racist incineration. My guest and I were and still am very offended by this host's actions. She should not be able to house guests during a PANDEMIC if not only does she have unresolved prejudices but the home is also NOT VERY CLEAN.
1. I took photos as soon as I entered this location. There was dust almost everywhere.
2. There were roaches... I have the photographs to prove.
3. There were a plethora of rat traps which tells me there may be an infestation issue. There was a bar of chocolate (snickers to be exact) by one of the traps.
4. There were visible dust balls by the sink in the kitchen.
5. The shower was DISGUSTING!! The shower floor was dirty and had mold. (I have pictures of that too.
6. Please be aware when booking this property you DO NOT HAVE THE APARTMENT COMPLETELY TO YOURSELF... The host lives upstairs.
7. You will have a camera watching your every single move upon entering.
8. So, before arriving I was already made aware of the house rules. Quiet hours start at 10 pm... Nevertheless, the host felt a need to interrupt my stay to come and insult me and my guest. Instead of writing me through Airbnb to notify me that she would like me to turn down my music a little. She wrote “Philomen, I am by the door open up” She accused us of possibly smoking and for a nonexistent large party. As she attempted to force herself into the apartment WEARING NO MASK! I told her I was uncomfortable with the accusations she was making as well as the fact that she had no care that she could pass a virus to my guests and I. Instead of acknowledging and apologizing for the inconvenience her action caused, Tema said “Well I too am uncomfortable and worried because I’ve had the neighbors complain before. I had some guests put me through a lot.” Quite frankly what previous guests did does not apply to me, nevertheless, we will continue to follow the rules and low the music some. This was at 8 pm. House rules say by 10 pm it is quiet hours. So, this already butchered my first night.
9. Before getting settled in I requested for Tema to let me know anything that she felt was pertinent to discuss; however, she chose to wait 5 hours into my stay because according to Tema “We were not sleeping” Tema repeated the same rules that I read before arriving at least 5 times (which is the number I stopped counting at) before telling her that she keeps repeating the same thing and it is frustrating like if we are docile. She then repeated in three different ways to not smoke in the house. I told her that no one asked or even does smoke. I strongly believe she only did this because she learned late that my guests and I are all black. Hence the repeated smoking comments and stating that the area “is quiet and typically has no noise and disruptions”... even though she lives practically on Flatbush.
10. Next issue. From 5 am to 12 am people were stomping not walking but STOMPING. Any time my guest or I left the apartment someone upstairs would walk to the front and watch whose going in and out. Or if they assumed someone was in the living room which is located when you first walk in... someone upstairs would walk loudly on top of us disturbing our peace. I was beyond uncomfortable and felt provoked. It was as though they believed we would be belligerent or to leave early.
11. I am a teacher and with how loud the host and her family were walking, I had to mute my mic often because the noise was irritating my students.
12. Also the internet is unreliable. I was unable to make it to my first period because the host had to call optimum.
13. After being harassed on my first day... on the second day TEMA sent a message at 6:53pm which stated “Good evening Phelomen, as I mentioned to you yesterday, one of our house rules are no smoking the smell goes right up to our apartment.” My response was “Yes, and no one does or has smoked in the apartment so I do not understand why this reminder is being sent. I am currently at the store and my other two guests are sleeping so I don’t know where this accusation is coming from. Nonetheless, thank you for the reminder.”
14. Tema made me so uncomfortable that instead of leaving at or close to my check out time of 10AM... I left at 5:45am. And my guest left by 8AM. However, yet again she sent another message as if we didn’t have enough sense to know when to leave and sent a reminder saying that we must check out by 10AM.
15. I did not have not one peaceful nights sleep because I felt that I had to sleep in the living room. Not because I wanted to but because the sheets did not seem to clean and I was afraid that Tema or her relatives would walk into the apartment without permission.
16. I truly did not want to write this review but the discrimination and uncomfortableness that we experienced I would not wish upon anyone else not even an enemy. There is a lot occurring in this word. There is much division and hate and not enough love and patience in this world. There are major social issues occurring in America, so it is imperative that HOSTS keep in mind the need to be cautious with their words as actions... especially if they know they are prejudice or racist. I paid over $300 for two