What happen after I refuse to pay damage cost

[David2025]

Hello,

I would like to ask what happens after the host requested me to pay 4K CZK damage fee, later Airbnb lowered it to 2K CZK in resolution center between us and gave me 48h to pay it, since they tried to take it from my account, like the deposit, but I don't have any money there and will not have any soon until another paycheck. 

What happens if I don't pay this damage fee in 48h as they requested?

[Helen744 · Accepted solution]

@David2052 The stairs are made out of ready pine and not solid . some of it is rotted and some is worm eaten so I imagine those are not legal stairs to start with . No one would charge 4000 dollars for that , no legitimate builder . It comes under health and safety . Ask for the copy of the account and ring the builder who fixes .I think its a scam H

[Caroline2199]

The host is accusing me of causing water damage to the top inner corner of one the kitchen cupboard door (one door) and asked £2700 to replace all the doors. What she is blaming me for is simply wear and tear not something caused in a 6 days stay. On the undated (so could have been taken anytime after our departure) pictures she sent Airbnb she clearly has exaggerated the problem by pulling out the laminate covering on both sides of the cupboard door. This was not like that when were there or we would have noticed it and I told Airbnb that I will not accept any responsibility.  The resolution centre said that based on the documentation she provided I should only pay £627 which again I am refusing to pay as I have not caused this damage and cannot provide me with proof. Documentation she has provided are undated pictures and a quotation to have all her kitchen doors replaced. How can airbnb uses that as evidence is beyond me. Anyone experienced anything similar? It is not the host first time judging by one of her previous reviews 

[Caroline2199]

We had an issue with ants on the first couple of days and she is so lucky I did not complain or asked to me moved 

[Shelly228]

I recently had a bad experience in which the host got angry and accused me of being disrespectful to their property.  I failed to see dog poop in the yard and my daughter spilled hydrogen peroxide on the bed.  I immediately apologized and told the host we really enjoyed the property and were very sorry she felt this way.  I immediately agreed to pay $75 extra for extra housekeeping for (wet sheets?).  Also, we were about 15 minutes late leaving the property (we were all packed and moved out--just still on the premises).  All was good and then she hit me for damage to a metal sink--2 tiny dents on the lip.  I cannot fathom how I could have caused the damage.  She also stated that the maid "missed it."  She asked for another $75 for damage to the sink.  Long story short, Airbnb decided I am responsible for the damage and they are charging me over $700 for the sink to be replaced!  I am shocked!  We had left the property and went to another airbnb who gave an immediate and positive review saying we left everything in perfect order.  I feel the amount being asked for is unfair--the sink is not ruined and does not need to be replaced (I had to enlarge the pictures to see the dents!)  I am embarrassed and upset.  I do not want to pay and feel this is very unfair.  What will happen if I do not pay?  If I thought I had caused damage and ruined property, I would happily pay.  In fact, I had already paid her for the extra housekeeping before she hit me with the sink.  What options are open to me for further resolution?  

[Marina1679]

What was the outcome did they request the money or take you to court? @Shelly228 

[Shelly228]

In the end—nothing.  Airbnb decided the claim was valid—how they did is beyond me—but, they said is was up to me to pay if I wanted to.  So, it was a middle of the road decision that kept everyone happy.  I have heard nothing more on this issue and have had no issues with any Airbnb stays since.  I also want to add that in my efforts to be considerate of the host, I did not notice until after all the drama that my checkout time was NOT 11, but 12!! So I never did anything wrong!! She texted me the night before checkout “reminding” me to leave by 11, but the listing actually said 12! I assume she had forgotten to change the listing! In summation, an unfortunate interaction, but no harm done.  

[Le-Aundra0]

Did you email them saying you weren’t going to pay or did you disregard the email completely cause they emailed me saying the same thing it was up to me off I wanted to pay for something I didn’t do

[Sarah977]

@Shelly228  Whenever a guest posts something like this, before answering, I take a look at the host's previous reviews and the reviews they have left for their past guests to make sure they don't have a history of other guests saying the host was somehow unfair, or that the host has left critical reviews for all their guests. 

Your host has 98 reviews, of which I read about half, as well as half the reviews she has left for her guests. Aside from one bad review she left for a group of bad guests who trashed the house, and the retaliatory review that guest left for being called out on his group's bad behavior, the host has a history of glowing reviews from guests and has left lovely reviews for her guests.

So it appears clear that this host is not some kind of fusspot scammer. No one here has any way of knowing what was done to the sink or the degree of damage, but you aren't looking good here, Shelley. What was your daughter doing having a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on the bed? (what do you mean, wet sheet? It probably left a stain that won't come out) Why did you let your dog poop in the yard instead of taking it off the property for walks or making sure you had cleaned up after it? Why do you think check-out time is something it's okay not to honor? It doesn't matter that you were packed up- check out time means you are supposed to vacate the property by then.

I think there was an accumulation of things that added up to being disrespectful- a general attitude. Had it just been one thing, the host would likely have let it go. 

If you damaged the sink, you should pay for it. Saying you can't imagine how you could have damaged it isn't surprising. You also didn't notice the dog poop, your daughter having a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on or near the bed, or what time you needed to start packing up so you could vacate the property at the stated check-out time.

[Silvia2026]

I am writing here as I have experienced the dark side of Airbnb claims! I have rented from Amore rentals a house for myself and my family. On Airbnb account the house has 0 reviews however the agency had a lot of good reviews therefore I felt ensured the house is legit. before my stay the host passed me onto a person who will let me in the property. Then the person named Carla has asked me for 300 euro cash deposit and once I said that amore rentals has 200 euro in their description she just said ok. That made me suspicious and I asked Amore rentals how they will ensure I get the deposit back. because of that they said that I don't need to leave the deposit. On the arrival Carla has asked me for tourist tax (is a think in amalfi) but its not a season so we have pointed that out. it looked like they are trying to get as much money as possible! After the stay ended, next day I have received images of a kitchen marble sink broken off, extractor fan open (described as broken) and wardrobe door unscrewed and hanged. I have replied to Airbnb that two of the damages are very clearly staged, and that marble was broken off before and you can see that from water damage and leftover of plaster as it has been attempted to be fixed before, and the marble was like that when we found it. Host has asked for 500 euro and I have declined to give that. I have send Airbnb whats app conversations where Carla has asked for money outside airbnb. Unfortunately I didn't have images of marble as I didn't think to document it.. I was too naive! Airbnb has decided that I need to reimburse host with even more money and asked for 630 euro for just the sink. So clearly the other two obvious bits were dropped but the amount magically has doubled for the marble.. I have realised that Airbnb will side with rental agency that makes the a lot of money rather than me, even if I do have a good record. I will dispute the claim that is clearly very one sided! I will stop using the platform as this situation is just showing how easy is to scam people via airbnb and airbnb will facilitate for their favour. 

[Sarah977]

@Silvia2026  Sorry you had the misfortune to encounter these scammer hosts, but that's no reason to stop using Airbnb- just don't book places that are run by these types of big property management agencies. 

Small independent hosts who manage their own one/few listings don't do things like this.

[Lynne414]

Error 

[Katie1069]

@Annabel226 hello Annabel 🙂 just thought I’d pop on. I had an amazing month long stay in Liam and Ellie’s flat, they are the loveliest pair, and nothing is ever too much work for them. I can assure all other guest that this hosting duo are professional & take excellent care and pride in their services. Fingers crossed they got the damage payments back that they deserved!! 

[Olivier906]

@Katie1069 well, she deleted her rbnb account, not sure they'll ever see any damage payment... 

[Liam-and-Ellie0]

We did! Thank goodness. We covered the cost of a new mattress and the £20 she took from us. Airbnb were great. 

[Annabel226]

Can someone please tell me what happens if I refuse to pay damage I did not cause when air B and B have sided with the host?! 

[Sarah977]

@Annabel226  Reading the host's review of your stay, and seeing that the host has 36 good reviews and no history of accusing his other guests of anything, I'd be inclined to believe that you did indeed cause the damage you are being charged for and that you should take resonsibilty for your bad behavior and disrespect.

[Annabel226]

@Sarah977  Thank you for responding to my comment. 
1. I did not ask for your opinion, I asked what would happen. 
2. Not all you read is true. 

3. This property had illegal heating and if someone had died from this I’m sure you wouldn’t be so rude.
4. I only have 3 good reviews as that is the amount of stays I have been on, but thank you for looking.  

[Nancy1900]

I would love a legitimate answer to Annabel226 as well.  The same thing happened to me at a recent AIRBNB stay.  I don't even think AIRBNB reviews these claims properly.  

[Michael5100]

Hi David ,

They won’t make you pay .My house was wrecked and they haven’t payed me a penny .Thry looked after the guy who held a party in my small flat and did cause me £2000 pounds worth of damage .Today they threatened legal proceedings.