I thought setting up an Airbnb account and hosting would be a great way to make some additional money. Unfortunately, it turned into a nightmare. The second guest I ever hosted for turned out to be some weird voodoo shaman who conducted rituals in my home. He booked my home under a fake profile picture of a woman in her 60’s. They were supposedly just coming for some rest and relaxation.
When I arrived home, I found the bathtub with disgusting dirt in it. There were burn marks throughout my home where they had been burning sage throughout the house. I had burn holes in my tile, bathtub and carpet. There were symbols drawn on my mirrors in the house and weird stuff burning in a pot on the stove. they left foreign money on the counter and empty boxes of spirit bathing oils in the bathroom. Needless to say, I felt very uncomfortable in my home after that.
This a$%hole had the audacity to question me about the damage after leaving my home in this condition. After looking him up online, I became aware that he does this as his job. This should not have taken place in my home. I reached out to Airbnb for help. No one helped. They just keep telling you to go online and fill some forms out. I did that and called back several times to ask what was happening. They said it was pending. I received another email stating I had to fill out another form, which appeared to be the same as the first.
After reaching out several times and getting no phone calls or help, I received an email stating they were declining to reimburse me. I have been back and forth with this company. They outsource all their customer service to other countries. There is no way to reach anyone here in the states. I asked for a measly $600 compensation when the damage would cost me upwards of $6000 to repair. Airbnb has policies in place to take advantage of every circumstance so that they do not have to help the renter or the host.
I was scammed. I’d like to know if there are any class action lawsuits currently that I can look into. If not, there needs to be one immediately. User be warned, Airbnb will not help you if your home is damaged.
How can you burn tile? Burn a bathtub ????
Yes you have to fill out a form, duh…. That is why they would not help you as it really appears you were trying to scam Airbnb. Get it together….
Very apt analysis… It seems like easy money, BUT not when the very real risks to your home are factored in.