You planned a trip and booked a lovely Airbnb apartment with great space and facilities. However, when you arrived at the location, you realized the Airbnb is not the same as advertised.
Possibly the number of rooms is not as listed, or the apartment looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
This situation can be exasperating as your host promised you a great stay. But now, you have to worry about your apartment not being what you expected.
What should you do in this case? Read on to find out.
What Should I Do If My Airbnb Does Not Look Good?
Getting to your lodging and finding out that it is not as advertised on Airbnb can leave you confused. Catfishing cases on Airbnb might be rare, but they happen.
Below are some steps you can take to get out of the situation.
Reach Out to Your Host Immediately
While this might sound cliché, it is a critical step to take. Your host is the best option towards fixing whatever issues your Airbnb has.
Your host may not be aware of a problem with the room or apartment you booked. Hence, contacting them can let them know and also have them try to resolve it.
Ensure that you make contact immediately after you find out there is an issue. The earlier you reach out to your host; the earlier things can get fixed.
It is advisable to contact your host on the Airbnb website so there can be a record of your conversation. Once you have reached your host, explain the situation, and let them know what you want to do.
However, contact customer service if you cannot reach your Airbnb host on or off the Airbnb platform.
Make a Physical Documentation
Once you arrive at your Airbnb and realize something is wrong, take pictures or videos. These will serve as proof of the situation.
Ensure the pictures are clear and well-taken; let them show the different angles.
You may need to show these pictures to your host as evidence that your Airbnb is not as advertised.
This is especially important for hosts who have not been to their apartments in a while but employ caretakers. In such a case, your host may only believe the level of damage once you show it to them.
Contact Airbnb Within 24 Hours
Whether or not you have reached your host, you should also contact Airbnb. This is so that a refund can be easily processed if that is what you want.
Also, when your host is unreachable, Airbnb can reach out on your behalf and present your case.
Airbnb recommends that you complain to your host within 24 hours of checking in. You should also contact Airbnb within this timeframe, or your refund request may not go through.
When talking to Airbnb’s customer support, you would need to provide the pictures you have taken so they can keep a record.
Weigh Your Options and Choose to Stay or Leave
Rebooking or requesting a refund may not always be the best play when your Airbnb is not as advertised.
Once you have spoken to your host and they suggest they can fix the issue, you can consider that option.
You can fix minor issues like a plumbing problem or one of the doors not closing properly in no time. However, you should not be asked to pay extra for this.
If your host comes up with such a solution that takes no time, consider it. Weigh your options (fixing the issue or finding a new listing) and decide which is best for you.
Sometimes, getting a refund and finding somewhere new to stay might take a lot of work. Hence, give room for remedy if it is an option.
Note: Request a refund on your rental and cleaning fees if you eventually clean the apartment yourself.
Request a Refund
The first step Airbnb advises guests to take is to reach out to hosts when there is an issue.
However, when guests and hosts can’t find a level ground, guests can request a refund. If your host agrees to a refund, you can request one through the resolution center.
Airbnb promises refund eligibility in cases where:
You do not have physical access to your booked apartment.
The listing is unsafe, unclean, or has an animal that the host did not state.
The listing was misrepresented. For example, the location of the listing is different from the actual location. Another case is if the number of rooms is not as specified.
If the situation of your Airbnb falls under the above cases, you are eligible for a refund.
My Airbnb Is Not as Advertised – How to Find a New Place
Once you have found out that your Airbnb is not habitable, you should begin your search for a new place. This can be because your Airbnb is too dirty to stay in or unsafe.
In this case, you can spend the rest of your stay in a hotel. Alternatively, you can spend the night at a hotel while you search for another Airbnb listing that fits your specifications.
One important thing that will help you in your search is a clear idea of what you want. You may be tempted to settle for anything as this is your second apartment, and you feel frustrated.
However, knowing what you cannot compromise on will help you find a suitable space. An example is great wifi speed for your work; you can’t give this up.
Hence, it will help you choose or let go of certain listings that do not have this feature.
If you decide to find another Airbnb listing, here are some tips to help you avoid dealing with the issue again. These tips are also helpful for future Airbnb bookings that you may need to make.
Tips for Finding the Best Airbnb
Communicate effectively with your host before booking. First, ensure that you make all communications on Airbnb. Also, make sure that you fully understand what your host is offering.
Another aspect of communication is to make sure that you ask about specifics. List specific items that you are sure you would need at your Airbnb. Ask about high-speed WIFI or a Water heater; discuss these things that can make or mar your Airbnb experience.
Check out the history of the apartment you are eyeing. Look through the most recent reviews and other apartment listings by the same host. This will give you a foreknowledge of how the Airbnb looks and how the host treats guests.
Mention it if you have extra guests or extra pets. This will help avoid situations where rooms are insufficient, or your pets don’t have food bowls. If you are worried about additional costs, you can negotiate with the host till you are satisfied with the price.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, your Airbnb listings are like some dating apps containing sugarcoated details. You may get to your booked lodging and discover that things are not as you have been told.
In such a situation, you can feel stranded and confused. However, you can contact your host and Airbnb’s customer service team on the next steps.
You may have to request a refund or process a new booking.
