Hi all,
I am in a strange situation. I will describe it here as accurately as possible, but please ask questions if anything's not clear.
A few days ago, I stayed at an apartment for one night. From the start it was bad, but I tried to be nice and I didn't want to complain about anything.
The check-in was from 12pm and I let the host know I would be there at 12pm. When I arrived, it turned out that I was given a wrong address. I asked for the correct one and when I received it and went there, it turned out that the apartment was not ready, it was still getting cleaned. I waited on the sidewalk and was let in after 40 minutes. Delays happen, I can understand that, but I was upset that she hadn't notified me about the delay - I would have waited in a cafe and not on a sidewalk on such a hot day.
The apartment was worn down, had a weird moldy smell and I know mold is dangerous, but I figured one night would be fine and I also don't want to make a big deal out of things. Most apartments have minor inconveniences, like a broken kettle or ants or no toilet paper, and I prefer to adapt.
I tried to use the washer, but it was broken. I left to go to the beach, and then to eat, and when I came back I tried to use the washer a few more times with different programs but it always stopped working after about a minute or two, at most maybe 5 minutes. It just made my clothes wet. I managed to open the washer to get my clothes out, the water inside didn't drain and spilled out of the washer. I cleaned it all up. I notified the host that the washer was not working, she responded with "don't worry".
The most important amenity for me is a dedicated workspace because I travel and work remotely. But there was none in the apartment. The host claimed in the listing that there was a dedicated workspace, a private room suitable for working - that was not true. There was not even a desk with a comfortable chair. There was only a dining table in the kitchen with a wooden chair, next to the washer and the dryer. I used the dryer to dry my clothes, and it was so loud that I couldn't work or talk to anyone. This was not suitable for working at all.
Overall, I have always had delightful experiences with Airbnb and this was the only one that was upsetting and that I was disappointed with.
Next day, after I left, I requested a refund of $27. I have spent hundreds of days in Airbnbs and this was the first time I was so upset that I've requested a refund. I don't care that much about $27 but I don't think the host deserves to be paid in full when the stay was as it was and they lied in their listing. The listing still claims that there's a "dedicated workspace".
The host responded 2 days later with a claim that I broke a marble sink. They provided photos of large cracks in a countertop. They are requesting $475 which is a lot to me. I did not cause it. I barely used the sink and I don't think I could break it even if I tried. I would think you need a hammer to break marble. Also the whole apartment was a bit used up so if there was a crack in the countertop before, I would not have even paid particular attention to it and likely dissmissed it as yet another wear and tear.
This appears to be an extortion attempt. But I have never been in a situation like this and I have not taken any photos of the apartment before leaving. I worry that Airbnb might side with the host since they are apparently a 'superhost' though how that's possible is mind-boggling to me.
I am upset that I am accussed of a damage that not only I didn't do but I don't even think is possible. Is the host trying to scare me after I wanted a partial refund?
What happens now? Has anyone been in the similar a situation? Should I notify the police? I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you for reading, any help is appreciated.