Host Avoiding Cancellation

[Jess4184]

Hello! Looking for some last minute advice here.

I booked a house to use for our wedding weekend well in advance- over 9 months ago. A few weeks ago I messaged the host to confirm parking details and whatnot.

That’s when he informed me the listing was sold and no longer available for my dates. The host told me the buyer was asked to “plug them in” as he is also operating it as a rental, but never did so.

However, why am I speaking to a host who isn’t the host? And why did I only find this out after I reached out? When was I going to find out I couldn’t be accommodated? Needless to say, I’m floored.

But the real kicker is that he won’t cancel the reservation to avoid penalties. He is instead telling me he will provide another rental property of equal or greater value with the agreement that I’ll pay the balance (due in two days) of the current listing, even though it’s not where I’ll be staying.

Is this a win or too shady? I’ve already contacted Airbnb support numerous times. They said they would reach out to him. Otherwise I’ve received little to no advisement on this issue. 
Do I risk it or book elsewhere and wait for a refund? 

[M199]

@Jess4184 

I hope that you have this all documented via Airbnb messages.  If so, get back on the phone to CS and tell them exactly what is in the messages, make them read through, then keep at them until the situation is resolved.   Airbnbs remain with the Host, if the plsce is sold, it's the Hosts responsibility to relocate guests, cancel guests, or negotiate with the new owner that guest bookings be honored and transferred. The last is usually not a good idea, because the new owner may not uphold the agreement.

Good Luck!

[Emiel1]

@Jess4184 

This host is violating multiple Airbnb terms.

"That’s when he informed me the listing was sold and no longer available for my dates. "

Contact Airbnb:

Ask them to relocate you, to cancel the reservation on behalf of the host and report the host as a scammer.

[Anonymous]

@Jess4184  This in not a win by any stretch of the imagination.

I don't know whether this host is just chaotic and disorganized or actually operating an intentionally dodgy bait-and-switch scheme. But either way, they can not be trusted and you should absolutely refuse their offer. 

A process does exist for guests in your situation, but you have to follow these instructions precisely so that you don't get hit with extra fees: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1250/if-your-host-needs-to-cancel

If the host declines your formal request to cancel, you'll unfortunately have to resume the ill-fated contact with Airbnb's spectacularly incompetent outsourced customer service team. But in the meantime, don't lose another minute with booking a replacement stay, because the most you're going to get out of Airbnb is a refund. They don't have the inventory to actually relocate you.

[Helen744]

@Jess4184 ask your bank to put a hold on that payment immediately until this is sorted to your satisfaction . Get in touch with airbnb and request a refund of the original amount of money from the account of the host and also request that your bank follow it up . this host owes you and never had any intention of doing the right thing . Bail out . There are other hosts . Who are honest . H