I just wanted to warn everyone about a guest I had in my CBD apartment over the weekend. Her name is Cara and she instant booked the apartment last Friday at 7pm, to stay Friday night until Tuesday. She is from Melbourne and has 4 reviews, hence she could instant book, but 3 of the reviews are from a host who has 12 properties and all the reviews are exactly the same - i'm thinking he gives everyone the same review! All 4 reviews are for May this year and are all in Melbourne, so she gets around.
I took instant book off as I had a trademan coming in the day she checked out and i had told him he could go in any time after 10am and the building manager was going to let him in. At 9.45am on Tuesday I recieved a message from Cara asking to extend her stay by 4 days. I contacted her and explained that I had a tradesman arriving at some stage after 10am so she could extend her stay if she agreed to let him in (or agreed he could enter the apartment if she wasn't there). I explained he would only be in there for 10min. She responded saying that she was planning to be home all day so he could come after 3pm. I explained to her that he would definitely before 3pm so if i didn't suit her then she would need to check out. She agreed to let him in so approved the extension.
Next thing I know the building manger has been up there to let the tradesman in and Cara's boyfriend opened the door and refused to let him in.
When I rang her to find out what was going on she told me the trademan had turned up to say it would suit him better to come back when they checked out! Fortunately there was a witness to the conversation who has confirmed that the boyfriend would not let them in and told them they would have to come back when they checked out.
The building manager said there had been reports from the neighbours of many people coming and going especially Friday and Saturday night so obviously i was worried about what was going on in there
I contacted Airbnb, who contacted Cara, and the next thing I knew she had cancelled the booking. At this stage it was 4pm so I had no chance to get a cleaner in and make the apartment available. Airbnb refunded the entire amount she was charged and helped her to find more accomodation telling me that 'she had to have somewhere to stay'!
When I entered the apartment last night it has been trashed. It was beyond anything I would consider acceptable. In particular, they had stripped the bed and smeared food all over the doona and matttress protector and smashed eggs in the fridge. Needless to say the whole apartment is filthy.....
Obviously the apartment is now out of action for a couple of days while I sort this all out.
As usual, Airbnb have no interest and have supported the guest.