Horror Stories of Airbnbs

Many people turn to Airbnb as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to staying in hotels. While Airbnb has transformed how people vacation, there are instances where staying at an Airbnb goes wrong and becomes an Airbnb horror story. These unfortunate situations can range from minor inconveniences to major complications that leave travelers without a place to stay. Whether you love or hate Airbnb, it is important to know what to do should things go wrong.

Airbnb Horror Stories

The following are just a few examples of some scary Airbnb stories guests experienced:

• A couple vacationing in a Florida Airbnb found a hidden camera in the smoke detector. They called the police, and the property owner was arrested and charged with video voyeurism. 
• A couple from Boston decided to vacation on the West Coast and stayed at an Airbnb property, only to be attacked by the host when they were sleeping.
• A couple rented an Airbnb in Rio for a month that was different from the pictures online. The pool water was green, the house reeked of cat urine and mold, the house was filthy, and there was a cockroach infestation. 
• A person rented a room at an Airbnb only to discover used bedsheets, a dirty kitchen, and broken furniture, and they were exposed to their host sleeping naked.

Why Do People Hate Airbnb So Much?

A study conducted in 2021 found that 22 percent of more than 125,000 Airbnb complaints on X were from scams, and another 72 percent were from poor customer service. Some of the other reasons people hate Airbnb include:

• Impact on neighborhoods: Many neighborhoods loathe Airbnb properties because of disruptive behavior, parties, and noise from guests.
• Impact on housing markets: Airbnb properties are creating a shortage of affordable housing for many people who want to buy a home. Investors snap up houses when they go on the market to turn them into short-term rentals, pushing up property prices and making it more difficult for others to buy a home. 
• Not held to the same standards as hotels: Airbnb does not hold their hosts to adhere to many of the hospitality regulations, such as taxes and liability insurance requirements. 
• No onsite staff: If you have an issue when staying at an Airbnb property, you are pretty much on your own. Many owners don’t even live in the same city as their properties. 
• Bait and switch tactics: One scam that bad owners are doing is renting a property that is under construction or not inhabitable. Then, just before the guest arrives, they cancel the reservation and refuse to refund the money. 
• Double or triple renting: Some owners rent out the same property for the same dates two, three, or more times without telling the guests. The guests only find out when everyone shows up. 

What Are the Three Cons of Using Airbnb?

While there are numerous reasons people hate Airbnb, the top three cons people hate the most are:

• Safety concerns: There is no security when staying at someone’s rental home. There have been issues of theft, unauthorized video surveillance, and unsafe neighborhoods. 
• Inconsistency between hosts: Airbnb does not really have any set standard when it comes to amenities, cleaning, and services hosts have to offer. There are also issues with property descriptions not being accurate and no accountability when things go horribly wrong for the guests. 
• Limited customer services: Unlike hotels, which provide access to customer support and customer services 24/7, Airbnb only has limited help when there are issues. Frequently, they act more like a message service and say they have to contact the owner. Not to mention, when it comes to issues that one would expect a refund, they say it’s up to the property owner. 

What Can You Do if Your Airbnb Is Bad?

If you have an Airbnb horror story, there are several things you can attempt to do to resolve the situation, including: 

• Contact the host: You should be able to contact the host through Airbnb’s in-app messaging or contact them directly if they provide you with their contact details. After explaining the issue, allow the host to resolve the problem. 
• Contact Airbnb customer support: If the host fails to respond or resolve your issue, your next step is to contact Airbnb’s customer service. However, getting a resolution can take some time. 
• Document the issue: Take pictures and video recordings or gather other evidence supporting your issue with the rental home. This documentation may be useful to help resolve the problems or at least warn other guests of your horrible experience. 
• Leave a review: Make sure to leave a review of the property that explains any issues or problems you experienced. Even if you were unable to resolve your issues, you can at least help someone else going through what you did. 
• Attempt to get a refund: Depending on the severity of the situation, you can attempt to obtain a refund. However, whether you will get one will depend on the host and Airbnb customer service, so do not count on it. 

What Should I Do if I’m Injured at My Airbnb?

If you experience an Airbnb injury, you should take the same steps as you would for other accidents. The most important thing is to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If it is an emergency, call 911 and request an ambulance. You will also want to contact the police and file a police report in certain situations, like a break-in or an assault.

Documenting your injuries and any unsafe conditions that caused them is crucial. Take pictures and videos that you can use later. Make sure you report the accident to the host and Airbnb as well. When reporting the accident, stick to the facts of what occurred. As soon as you can, contact a personal injury attorney to find out your legal rights and to see if you have grounds for filing a premises liability injury claim against the host. 

How Can a Premises Liability Attorney Help?

Getting help from a premises liability attorney after being injured at an Airbnb property can be beneficial for several reasons, as follows:

• Expert legal advice: A personal injury attorney is familiar with state and local laws and regulations relating to premises liability and how they apply to your situation.
• Assistance with gathering evidence: A lawyer can review photos, videos, and other documentation you have, as well as provide advice on other evidence that could support your injury claim.
• Helps establish negligence: Proving the property owner was negligent is essential to your injury case.
• Represents your interests: Your attorney will take care of all communications between you, the property owner, Airbnb, and the insurance company while protecting your legal rights.
• Settlement negotiations: Your lawyer will handle all settlement negotiations to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries.
• Representing you in court: If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will litigate your case in court on your behalf.

Get Help Filing Your Airbnb Injury Claim Today

If you’ve been injured at an Airbnb property due to unsafe conditions or negligence, don’t wait another moment to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, our experienced Airbnb and casino attorneys are here to assist you and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.