Host Opened Damage Claim 60 days after check out

[Samantha153]

I stayed at a reservation the listing did not say I had to pay utilities. Upon arrival the host said I had to pay utilities or leave. I paid over $460 through the resolution center with out ALL of the valid documents and itemized bills. After checking out the host asked for $160, 40 days after check out. I again asked him for copies itemized of all the bills and he refused.

I called Airbnb and they said to decline it so I did. They also said they can see that he put it on the listing after he opened the claim to pay utilities.

He couldn’t open a claim with that one to involve Airbnb. So he opened another claim saying “Since you don’t want to pay for utilities you will pay for damages” This claim was opened yesterday which is 60 days from check out. He claimed that I damaged the coffee table and opened a claim to pay $440. Luckily I took pictures of everything when I checked in or close to check time as I found stuff wrong.

When I tried to bring damages up to him while I was there he would get upset and said I needed to find another place so I never sent him every single damaged item but I did take pictures of it for my records.

I sent Airbnb images of when I checked in showing the scratch was already there on the coffee table and images and videos of checkout. He then claimed there were missing items the drip pans from the stove. I sent videos and Images of check out showing the stove in working condition with drip pans and can post everything I am saying here if that is allowed.

With the stove the drip pans were dirty in general and he even stated he never changed them, so I told him I would clean them and I did. He even complimented that I did a great job cleaning the place upon check out .

I am confused... If Airbnb’s policy says the host has 14 days after check out to claim a security deposit why is he allowed to file a claim against me 60 days later?

Clearly they should see he didn’t get his way. What should I expect am I going to get deducted? I don’t see a reason they should rule in his favor but if they do what should I expect?

I refuse to pay for damages and if he felt I damaged anything why file it now? Because I wouldn’t pay for the additional utilities that’s why.

In general I feel some reps at Airbnb May not be qualified to handle cases and at times there is a language barrier. They claim I can not speak to anyone in that department so I am confused and angry because I am long gone and am dealing with this into the New Year.

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Samantha153 it sounds dodgy asking for payment for utilities separately unless that was in the listing detail. Was it?

I imagine the host has zero chance of getting his way here.

[Samantha153]

I called Airbnb more than once to confirm.  What happened was that it was not visible on the listing it was in the house manual which only shows after you book that you had to pay utilities and that it was a shared space.  

They told me they can see he added that to the actual listing after the case was opened. 

The listing said the place was for myself and no mention of utilities.  It was just the host that would keep showing up at the property.  I paid $460 in the resolution center already and he asked for $160 more.  I asked him could I have an itemized copy of all the bills because he would keep making excuses prior.   He did try to get me to pay it privately but I insisted the resolution center.

I sent Airbnb a screenshot from the message in Airbnb showing he said “No” more than once that he can’t provide copies and that it will cost him more money to get copies of the bills.

i explained to Airbnb I already paid $460 blindly without valid docs why should I have to continue to pay?  I had to on occasion share the space with the host when it wasn’t on the listing.  Now directly in the claim he says, “Since you don’t want to pay for utilities, you will have to pay damages”.

i don’t understand because the security deposit agreement I agreed to says the host has 14 days and it has been 60 days.

His original claim was for utilities which Airbnb closed and then he opened this new claim for damages and utilities 60 days later.

  I shouldn’t have to pay anything else as I paid $460 blindly and had to occasionally share the property with the host.  Neither was in the listing.

His excuse to them was that I took advantadge of him because of his accent and I didn’t want to pay.  Where there is proof I paid $460 without valid proof.  I don’t know any utilities that high for someone traveling alone and he wanted  $160 more.

[Linda108]

You continue to be anxious, @Samantha153 , even though you have more supportive documentation than most guests.  Not sure why.  The host can communicate or file whatever he wants, but apparently Air BNB agrees with you about both the host rules and the possibility of further claim.