My daughter and I booked an apartment on the Upper West Side of New York City several months in advance of our September 1st visit. I was in touch with the host via text several days in advance, who told me to tell her when I was landing, and she would give me directions on how to get to her apartment. Upon my arrival at the airport from Nashville and on the way to the apartment, I called her, at which time I was told that she was changing the location to her son’s apartment on the Upper East Side. I was also told not to tell the doorman that I was an Airbnb guest, but “a friend of her son’s girlfriend Zoe.” I was very upset and told her to cancel the reservation and I requested a refund of by $1,345. So far, in spite of repeated attempts to reach her and Airbnb, I have not received a refund. Help!
P.S. feel free to share my post above on facebook, twitter and anywhere else. If you wish to provide your email address we will forward the audacious response from the scoundrels at airbnb.ca.
Sincerely sorry to hear of your horrible airbnb experience and would really appreciate if you would share if and how resolved.
We have been airbnb guests in the past but never again. It seemed like a bargain until we found our peace and quiet invaded by airbnb guests in the apartment above. Airbnb is a lose lose proposition for hosts and guests when local and strata corp bylaws are blatantly ignored; airbnb.ca’s response to our complaint regarding noisy disruptive guests demonstrates a blatant disregard for laws, rules and by-laws. Airbnb has stated (below) that airbnb considers itself above the law.
Our strata corp, like most others, does not allow short term rentals.
Please note that although some well behaved guests went unnoticed, short term rentals are a huge liability for our corporations. Condo insurance will not cover “hotel guests”.
This is the exact response we received (from Leilani at airbnb.ca/neibours…ie complaints!!! regarding ongoing noise issues caused by consecutive guests above.
“We shared your complaint with your neighbor, but we’re unable to take further action or mediate disputes regarding violations of local laws or 3rd party agreements.
If you’re in the same building, we recommend contacting your landlord, homeowner’s association, housing authority, or other party to help resolve this issue.
We did not share your contact information with your neighbor, as you requested. However, whenever possible, we want to encourage hosts and neighbors to connect directly to resolve their issues. We’ve found this is often the fastest way to get the concerns addressed.
Thank you for helping to improve our community.
Thanks,
Leilani
http://www.airbnb.com/help“
That is really shady. You should have not gone through such Airbnb. They are terrible and hellish! I hope that host gives you your money back. They should honestly go to jail and pay for their illegal activities.
Goodluck finding and or getting your money. Is there a local televesion station that you can contact about this?
Airbnb is illegal in almost every building in NYC – and most cooperatives and condominiums also have rules against short term rentals.
You might try the NYC Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement – they are tasked with prosecuting violators of the STR laws
1 Centre St., Rm 1012 North New York, NY 10007
(212) 788-7140