The Airbnb is in a great location and was quite cozy for one person. The downsides are that the walls are not soundproof at all, and I can hear the host’s footsteps and notifications pinging from her phone while I’m in my room.
Additionally, it is a room attached to the house, so the host had access to the unit. The door connecting the room to the house is only locked one way from her side, so there was no way to lock the door from my side.
I did not think this would be an issue at first, but she ended up entering the unit without notice or my permission while I was at work one day.
I usually leave one or two lights on when I leave for work, because I often don’t come back until very late at night, and it’s difficult for me to find the light switch. I left for work one day and came back to find the reading lights in my room were turned off, the cabinet doors closed, and the lights in the bathroom off as well. I emailed the host to ask why she had entered, and she said she thought I had moved out so she came in to turn the lights off. She says she believed I was gone for a week, but I was only gone for a weekend trip.
I did want to end the lease early, but I never took her offer to move out. After hearing her response, I reported this to Airbnb’s safety department, and they also came to the conclusion that it was unsafe for me to stay at her Airbnb and moved me to a hotel.
Privacy is extremely important, and unannounced entry is not okay. I would think twice about staying at this place, because the host clearly does not understand what protections tenants are entitled to.