Apartment dirty and uncomfortable

[Chris1930]

Hey guys,

rented an apartment in Moscow. Paid around $450 for 12 days which is a Western price. The quality is not western though.

- there are insects like cockroaches (not many but still...), also flying ones (no mosquito net on the windows). Impossible to sleep when they're biting you

- some spots such as windowsills are dirty

- weird furnishing. No desk, no warderobe. Should I put all  my stuff on the floor? Impossible to work on the laptop

- the TV is attached to the wall, no access to the HDMI ports

When I contacted the host he didn't understand the problem because its very common to rent out miserable apartments in Russia and they brought this habit to airbnb. He replied in an unpleasant manner how many Eastern Europeans do.

This city is kinda expernsive so I couldnt find a proper replacement.Also, the host and the support reacted slowly so 9 days out of 12 have already passed.

I'm totally disappointed with my stay, especially for such a price.

How much can I get refunded? How much should I ask?

Would be grateful for any advice.

[Ana1136]

@Chris1930 you should have canceled the reservation on the fisrt day if the host didn't agree to cleantthe place and have Airbnb find you an alternative accommodation. There is no excuse if the apartment is dirty but the host can not buy new furniture just to please you. You knew what you were booking, I am sure there were pictures of the apartment. If you cancel now you will get refunded for the rest of the days probably. 

[Chris1930]

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@Ana1136 wrote:

@Chris1930  but the host can not buy new furniture just to please you. Y

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You mean it's totally acceptable that I have to put all my clothes and other stuff on the floor? And try towork on my laptop on a TV table while sitting on the floor? And that all for a Western price?

I  didn't come up with the idea that there can be no such essential things as a warderobe or desk. So I didn't check it of course, do you check it when you book an accommodation?

Also, the gas cooker is kinda scary, makes strange noises and you don't really know how to ignite it  and gas is a kinda scary thing.

[Ana1136]

@Chris1930 what is acceptable is different for everyone. And every country has different standards. Didn't the host have pictures of the entire place? I personally never ever use closets in hotels or apartments. But I would never book a place without a table. That was my point, if there was a table he would put a picture of it for sure. Why would you expect a piece of furniture that is not on the pictures however basic it might be for you. And if he did have photo of a table and a wardrobe and they weren't there when you arrived you have right to ask for a recompensation which I am sure you will get. 

[Helen3]

Hello @Chris1930 

Paying £29 a night for your own place in Moscow I would say is an extremely cheap price. Certainly not a 'western price' for an apartment in a capital city. You would never get a full apartment for this price in London. In fact you would struggle to get a room.

When you booked the place did you check to see if a desk was included and what storage was available for your clothes. Some hosts just provide drawers. It should detail what is included and what not in the listing.

Did you not see in the pictures that the TV was attached to the wall?

If your apartment is not as described in the listing, you should be contacting Airbnb again and insist they cancel the booking. I think you are right though you are unlikely to find a full apartment for £29 a night in Moscow.

As @Ana1136  mentioned if your listing is not described, or if there were cockroaches, then you could have followed the process Airbnb informs you about on your booking confirmation which is to contact the host and if they can't or won't resolve, contact Airbnb to help cancel the booking and they help you find alternative accomodation. Did you do this?

I find your generalisations about Eastern Europeans rather uncomfortable and inappropriate.