Even more money for cleaning

[Alex6926]

Hi all, 

So we rented an apartment for a week. At the end, we tried to clean as much as possible, even though the price included a cleaning fee. After more than a week I get a money request (around 50% of the cleaning fee) because apparently we forgot to wash the dishes, there were like 3 bowls and 3 plates in total in the whole apartment. And I'm sure we didn't forgot to wash them because and we let them dry out on the sink. The extra amount covers a whole hour of cleaning by a professional company. What should I do? Do I have any chance of not paying? Or should I suck it up?

Regards, 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Alex6926 I suggest, if it truly is just 3 bowls and plates, you reject the claim and say it is excessive for what is only 3 bowls/plates.

It will probably go away at this point although Christian, in his review, did suggest you forgot to clean anything.

[Sarah977]

@Alex6926  Your idea of clean may not be others' idea of clean. Normally guests at an Airbnb are expected to clean up their own messes and tidy up. This has nothing to do with there being a cleaning fee- a cleaning fee covers the heavy-duty cleaning- vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning and sterilizing the kitchen and bathrooms, dusting, washing sheets and towels, etc. It is hours of work on the host's or their cleaner's part to prepare for the next guests even when a guest leaves it quite clean.

What guests are generally expected to do is along the lines of making sure all dishes are washed, all garbage is in the bin, sticky or greasy surfaces are wiped down, that sort of thing. 

Some hosts can be fussier than others, but what I suggest you do in the future is take some photos when you arrive and then again before you check-out, so you have some proof of how you left it. And ask the host what is expected in terms of clean-up if they don't have a pre-check-out list in the accommodation.

Some hosts just assume that guests will clean up without being asked, but they should have a list of specific things they want guests to do before leaving.

[Alex6926]

Thanks for a really opening post. Actually I always vacuum cleaned and even mopped the floors, when there was a mop available. I guess I focused on the wrong things then. 

[Emiel1]

@Alex6926 

I agree with @Mike-And-Jane0 

Reject the claim. If your story is true, the story will end.

Airbnb CS (nor the host) should waste any time on such minor issues.

Best regards,

Emiel

[Alex6926]

Thank you all.

@Emiel1 @Sarah977 @Mike-And-Jane0 

I actually learned a lot. In the end after trying to come to a compromise I gave in. From the very first message, when I got the money request she was very rude and accusing. Then with each message it was even more provocative. I could have let it handled by CS, which I actually proposed her, but I read that it can take some time, and receiving daily messages from her was too much at the moment, when I'm already going through some stressing situations.

I decided than AirBnB is not for us, travelling with small babies, having departure times in the middle of the night etc... I would admit any mistake and pay for any damage I cause but when people come at your throat as if you just killed their family dog on purpose, this is not the things I want to worry about on the little vacation days I have. 

Thanks again for your time and best of luck,