Hi guys. I need your advice and thoughts regarding this issue.
Two weeks ago, two girls booked my listing (a private room in my apartment) for a week. I provide a safe for my guests in the room to keep their valuables.
On the last day of their stay, they did not lock the door before leaving the apartment. I’m unsure how long it was left unlocked for and I informed the guests about it. It is stated in my house rules that they are to ensure that the door is locked when they leave my apartment, otherwise I will not be held responsible for their lost valuables.
Before they checked out, I made myself completely available to them. They even asked me how to call Uber and what time they should go to the airport. After they checked out, they informed me that they lost their money in my apartment. When asked how much? They were unsure. The friend of the girl who booked the listing claimed she lost $200 for sure but her friend was unsure how much she lost. Then she said, maybe $100?
As they left the door unlocked, I shouldn’t have offered them a goodwill offer but I offered them a $100 refund while I investigate the issue further.
Today, she requested a refund of $400 because she said she’s sure they lost $400 because she checked at 1 pm on the day she was checking out. She checked out at 7:30 pm.
I’m quite concerned about their claims because it seems dodgy for the following reasons:
1. If they lost the money at my place, why didn’t they inform me ASAP? Why did they wait until after they checked out to inform me?
2. There were two people occupying the room, could it be either of them?
3. If they claim they lost money, they should be sure how much they lost but their amount keeps changing with the words “for sure” at the end.
What would you (other hosts) so if you were in my shoes?
Note: It’s hard to determine if a break in occurred because they left the apartment door unlocked.
