I have been a loyal Airbnb customer for over eight years and, until now, have never had a single issue. I have never broken house rules, damaged property, or been accused of harming a host’s home. My history as a guest has always been positive and problem-free.
This is why this experience was so upsetting. After staying at a property in Africa, nine days after checkout, the host claimed that we broke a wooden two-seater chair. There was no proof, no photos, and no evidence showing that we ever used, touched, or damaged this chair. We never sat in it at any point during our stay.
What makes this claim even more questionable is that the host’s groundskeeper was frequently sitting in that exact chair. On multiple occasions, when we returned from excursions or shopping, he would be seated in those chairs. This was a regular occurrence throughout our stay.
Despite clearly explaining this in my appeal, Airbnb denied it and is still attempting to charge me $130 for damage I did not cause. I strongly feel this claim is unjustified and unfair, especially given my long-standing history as a responsible guest.
Most disappointing of all is feeling that Airbnb did not genuinely consider my record, credibility, or the lack of evidence. Long-term customers should not be held responsible for unsupported claims. This experience has seriously changed how I view Airbnb’s dispute process and guest protection.
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