Host Threatens to shoot Guest with Gun

[Drew2411]

We currently have a host who seems to be suffering from service related mental illness. After initially stating trash could be tossed at anytime and agreeing in writing laundry could be done on a stated day if asked in advanced, they did not allow us space to adequately complete this task. He proceeded to hide quietly in the basement as we completed the task, did not remove his laundry from the dryer in time for us to finish our one load. The next morning we are up early for work and go to toss dog feces in the garbage can in the basement. We also try to see if we can now change our wash load to the dryer but his items are still inside. I politely ask him if we can change our load later via text as we are heading to work. The host claims he was startled at us being in the basement early and would’ve met us with a loaded pistol had he not realized it was us. My partner and I suffer from severe anxiety, and myself PTSD related to violent trauma. The host did NOT ever make it clear we should not enter the basement before 8AM. He is aware we have dogs and made it explicitly clear to not leave pet waste around the community. To top it off he stated we overreacted to his gun threat after we apologized for startling him and suggested we text before entering the basement to dispose waste. We have been extremely uncomfortable, my partner has been sick and experiencing panic attacks, but with only a few days left of our stay unable to get a full refund. Will AirBnB customer service assist if I send them screenshots of the threatening conversation? I am unsure how to rectify the situation and the host will not give us space alone to isolate. We did not spend close to $2,000 for this stay to assist with our college and work transition to be harassed and demeaned for our disabilities.

[Dale711]

@Drew2411 

I ‘m so sorry to hear  your negative experience with the host.

It’s sound unsafe place to stay and you should leave the place “ now” .

Do contact Airbnb Support Help Center immediately  via “ live Chat” messages with the CS, reports the incident and request the case manager to relocate you immediately, cancel the reservation by Airbnb, refund the days which you not stay. 

I hope yours are safe !  

[Anonymous]

@Drew2411  If you and the host are both having issues with the stay, you can always try to resolve this by sending the host a request to amend the booking by advancing the checkout date. If the host approves the request, you should receive a refund equal to the unused portion of your stay.

It's only worth getting Customer Service involved if he declines this request. Under the terms of the guest refund policy, they can push this through for you for the same result (a refund of your unused nights).

The worst thing you could possibly do for your case is use the words "Full Refund," so get this notion out of your head right now. You aren't entitled to a free stay, no matter how uncomfortable you found it, and any insinuation that you should get money back for nights you've already used will only make you sound like you're just another one of the many amateur con artists plaguing the platform at the moment.

[Drew2411]

Thanks to all for the replies. You’re right, we don’t expect a full refund. I misspoke out of anger and frustration with the situation. We are trying to complete the stay amicably and will never return to properties owned by this host.

[Anonymous]

@Drew2411  I wasn't sure what your intentions were at first, but it sounds like you have a clear head about the situation. Once again, whatever you need to do - please look after your safety first, and when it's done let us know you're ok.

Goes without saying that future rentals from this host are out of the question for you. But you will have the chance to write an honest review after your checkout date. When you do this, be sure to stick to the facts and avoid assertions that might result in the review falling afoul of the content policy. You can factually say that the host's communication left you feeling intimidated and uncomfortable - that's indisputable - but it's impossible to know for certain that his comment about the gun was intended as a threat. From the host's perspective, he might have just thought that's a way of saying he mistook you for an intruder, and Airbnb is not going to take the risk of being sued for defamation when a review accuses someone of a felony. That stuff just gets deleted.

[Sarah977]

@Drew2411 Sorry you've found yourself in an uncomfortable situation. The thing about Airbnbs is that while one hopes that the listing ad gives an accurate portrayal of the accommodation, and past reviews can alert you to issues, it's kind of a crap shoot for both hosts and guests as far as having insight into the personality or compatibilty of the other party before the booking actually commences. So hosts sometimes experience guests with mental or emotional issues and vice versa. 

If it can be understandingly and compassionately dealt with, and lived with, great. Life is almost never perfect. But if it makes the living situation ongoingly stressful, it's best to alter the reservation length and move on.

And always leave a fair and honest review stating the facts, without speculating on the other party's motivations or what one might perceive as being the reason for their "problem". Balanced reviews are the most valuable. Even if there was something wrong with the place, or the host, or the guest, there's usually some things that were fine, so mentioning the good along with the bad gives the impression that the reviewer is trying to be honest, yet fair and can be believed.

[John5097]

@Drew2411 
 I don't think its ok for host to send message to a guest that guest are at risk of bing shot by host for using a shared space such as a laundry area. Its against ABB policy for host to have a gun at a listing. This would include a shared space such as a laundry area. You could report it, as this is something guest shouldn't be subjected to. I wouldn't call it a threat but more of a dangerous situation. Where else might you get shot? Going to your car too early in the am? I agree you should leave and report the situation. 

By the way I recall reading a post about host that was complaining about guest leaving bad review when guest asked host to help assemble a crib, and host went into the guest space with a revolver open carry. It may be legal but host would need to disclose this to guest before check in. Of course guest were very friendly while they were there! 

[Lisa723]

@John5097 it is not against policy for the host to have a gun. Airbnb only requires that it be safely stored. It should be disclosed though, by checking the "weapons" box under "property info".

[John5097]

@Lisa723 

@Lisa723  Sorry for the confusion but I didn't say it was against policy for host to own a gun. I said, "Its against ABB policy for host to have a gun at a listing. This would include a shared space such as a laundry area."

I consider a "listing" being the rented out space that is accessible to guest, that would include a shared space such as laundry area. The host informed guest that he had his gun in the space guest is paying for and almost used it against him, which means its no longer being sorted safely in host own private space completely inaccessible to guest. 

Just because host can own a gun doesn't mean they can subject guest to such reckless messages about risk of being shot for using a shared laundry area at 7am. 

It may be legal to own a gun, but if they have gun in a parking lot and someone pulls up in the spot next to them and gun owner says, glad I didn't shoot you, you startled me pulling up on me like that! Is no longer about someone's right to purchase or own a gun. 

[Anonymous]

@John5097  Airbnb's actual policy on guns is here : https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1529/what-are-airbnbs-rules-about-weapons-in-a-listing

Freestyle interpretations tend to trip on the details. 

[John5097]

@Anonymous  Thanks for the link. So rules don't specifically say, ."Host can not send delusional messages to guest warning them of being shot while using a shared laundry room."  I also didn't interpret the original post as guest wanted full refund. I read that as at the end of the stay and may not be worth the trouble to find another place. Host also didn't say "If you use the washer and dryer at 7am I'm going to shoot you!" so may not be a direct threat, so, agree and wouldn't phrase it like, but is kind of threatening. Its really just an indication that the host may be delusional and guest was alarmed. 

But maybe you are saying guest would need to report this to local police, and would agree and exercise caution as there appears to be room for interpretation, however its also possible host could lose their right to own a gun if police interpret that as a threat. Its just not a good idea to go around telling people "I'm glad I didn't shoot you!" When they haven't done anything wrong.   
I just don't think guest should be subjected to a situation like that and can understand the anguish and anxiety it caused.  

[John5097]

@Anonymous  

Once again thanks for the link. Been a while since I read this. I was more concerned about guest bringing guns, but not going to post a sign. So far no incidents but once did ask a guest not to come back after breaking other rules and just seemed kind of paranoid and made me uneasy. Also forgot that pepper spray is considered a weapon. 

"Any mechanism that can be used to fire a projectile is considered a weapon. This includes, but is not limited to: Standard firearms, air guns, self-defense or deterrent devices such as tasers or pepper spray, ammunition of any kind, and imitation firearms."

I recall you commenting on a recent post about guest who accidentally pepper sprayed the host in a shared space!  

[Anonymous]

@John5097  The host is not in this conversation, so I didn't see any point in banging on about what he should and shouldn't have done. The guest can't go back and change the host's erratic and inappropriate behavior; I think he only wanted a practical solution for his own situation. Specifically, he asked how to rectify the situation and explicitly mentioned the cost of the stay.

Noting the policy linked above, I would definitely report the incident to Airbnb if the listing did not disclose that there was a gun on the property. That might result in an investigation or suspension of the listing. Beyond that, though, when you put the emotions aside, it really comes down to one question:  

Do I stay or do I go?

If you complete your stay, you pay.

If you don't, you can try to get your money back for the unused nights.

That's it. There's no special category of remediation for guests who chose to occupy the space despite feeling unsafe and anxious there. 

[John5097]

@Anonymous I didn't read it as a refund issue. Even if guest completed their stay, they could report it and just say it caused them anxiety. Also said there were still a few more days. I would definitely move if possible and get refund for remaining days.  

When I'm a guest at an ABB I don't want host to even discuss guns. If they even mentioned them even in context of self defense or local crime, I would report that it caused me anxiety and want to move. If I'm just too busy with work or something on the trip to move again just report it. I think it was good advice to be careful how to phrase it. 

Edit: If the host just brought up guns,  I would let them know I didn't want to discuss the topic and may include that in my review that host liked to talk about guns. But If I felt they were letting me know they had a gun as a kind of disguised warning,  I would report them that it gave me anxiety and was unnecessary. 

[Anonymous]

@John5097  I also wouldn't want to stay with such a host, which is why I would not book a listing that disclosed that there were firearms on the property. Which brings it right back around to the previous point - the host should be reported if he mentioned a gun that hadn't been disclosed.

But reporting someone because they gave you anxiety? I don't see the use. The outsourced CS operators are not trained professionals who can analyze the nuances of a situation, or who have the time to commit to investigating a case fairly. At best, they can just enforce the rules that are clear and bleedingly obvious. 

Everyone has their own anxiety triggers; it's not necessarily the job of a corporate listing service to protect its users from those. If a situation makes you feel a way you can't tolerate, the best you can do is take yourself out of it. You can always describe your experience in a review later, and let others make their own informed decisions about whether they would feel comfortable in that environment.