Booked an apartment, and the adress provided wasn't the right one

[Sabri1168]

So I booked an apartment,  and after the host confirming the booking I took the adress provided on the listing too check where the apartment was exactly but I didn't really see the street view that I saw in the pictures, so I asked the host about the adress and she said it was a proximity of where the apartment is located and that she would provide me the real adress but I still haven't gotten it, now this is my first time booking with airbnb so I'm not sure If this is normal or not but i am a bit nervous because this is going to be a stay for a month. 

[Anonymous]

@Sabri1168  There is a setting hosts can use on Airbnb to withhold the specific address until the booking has passed the eligible window for free cancellations. This is to prevent people from making fake bookings just to get their address. Until your cancellation grace period expires, the listing will only display a general area near the property, as your host explained.

As long as the listing has plenty of reviews confirming that it's as advertised, you needn't worry about this feature. It's actually pretty common.

[Sabri1168]

Hello,

Appreciate your comment🙏

I made the reservation yesterday and I'm supposed to check in next Wednesday,  the property has 3 reviews on it and the hostess has 5. 

[Anonymous]

@Sabri1168   3 reviews is not as many as I'd personally need to feel confident enough to book a monthlong stay, but if they come from verified profiles they are probably credible. That said, there are bait-and-switch scams out there, so watch out for anything that seems too good to be true, and don't hesitate to use a reverse image search (e.g. Google Lens) to make sure the photos aren't ripped off from a real estate site.

You should also be able to discuss your apprehensions with the host. They're also making a big commitment with this booking, and presumably don't want to start it off on the wrong foot by evading follow-up questions.

[Sabri1168]

All 3 reviews on the apartment came from profiles that said "identity verified " the apartment was first listed on May of this year 

[Anonymous]

@Sabri1168   Well, the fact that 3 unique users have vouched for the place is not nothing (assuming the reviews were positive). But when you book a new listing like this, there's a good chance that the host will be inexperienced and still figuring things out. 

Whatever else you need to know about the apartment, the person to ask is your host - here, we can't even see the listing so nobody can really answer your questions.

[Sabri1168]

As I replied to another comment, 

The hostess replied saying that she would send me the full adress before I arrive through what's app, I don't know is this is normal too do? I'm a bit lost atm and I'm not sure if I should contact airbnb about it I just find it strange that she's not willing too give me the full adress until I a day or so before I arrive. 

[Anonymous]

@Sabri1168   It's definitely not normal for a host to only provide the address through WhatsApp. That probably means that she hasn't actually registered an accurate address on Airbnb, which suggests that the listing might be illegal or a scam.

Definitely insist that all communication go through Airbnb messenger, because you're going to need that paper trail if something goes wrong. Get yourself some travel insurance if you haven't already, and formulate a Plan B just in case you need to suddenly relocate on your arrival date.

If you want to DM me a link to the listing, I can check for you if I notice any red flags. Given the results of your communication with the host, I'm feeling as suspicious about this one as you are.

[Sabri1168]

I'm trying to dm the listing but I don't know how😅 any idea how I could?

[Sabri1168]

Quick update @Anonymous @Huma0 @Helen3 I got in touch with airbnb and they contacted the hostess,  she than provided me with what seems too be the full adress, airbnb support called me back saying everything should be fine but if anything comes up contact us again and we'll help you out finding a new stay.

Thank yall for your help I really appreciate it 🙏 

[Huma0]

@Sabri1168 

I agree with @Anonymous that is a bit weird. Host might be overly cautious about security, or it might be a scam... 

Three reviews is not that many, so you are right to be cautious.

[Sabri1168]

If I message airbnb about this do you think I'll be able to get a refund if the host keeps refusing to give out the right adress? 

[Anonymous]

@Sabri1168  You would definitely be entitled to a full refund if you didn't get the address on the check-in date, but it puts you in a bad position to wait until then. I'm afraid you'll have to call Airbnb on this one, but be prepared for some extremely incompetent and confused customer service.

[Sabri1168]

I just called them and they would contact her right away and let me know what was said, hopefully she provides them the full adress or I get a full refund so I can try to find something else before my trip comes up next week

[Sabri1168]

I asked the hostess a few questions already like wifi, parking, freezer etc and she answered then no problem it's just the real adress that I need for 2 specific things car rental and the online health form. And obviously to check the neighborhood out