So I recently booked an Airbnb in Los Angeles. It was for 31 days long term stay. Communication with the host was fine upon arrival. II was arriving in LA 2 days prior to the check in. Out of convenience the host offered me to stay in another room she had for rent and then change upon checking day. That was fine with me. The host wanted to deal with this outside Airbnb and told me she would offer a better rate. We never agreed on a final price tho. It was the host who initiated this to deal with outside Airbnb not me. Although I did not refuse either.
Long story short. I arrived at the airport very tired and took a shuttle to the meeting location where the host would pick me up. We started a conversation. First impression seemed fine. The host was kind enough to drive me to the nearest supermarket etc and then we drove to the host house.IThe host explained to me all the rules of the house and I complied. However, quickly I've noticed how neurotic and picky the host was over the course of a couple of hours into our conversation. The host would use examples of past and current tenants and was so straight forward to mention that the host would kick a current tenant out because the host does not feel comfortable anymore to have the guest to stay. I cannot comment on the reasoning as I never met the other guest. But from all the stories the host told me and her overall attitude I felt she is testing her guests out.
Since I was super tired from my previous travel I told the host I would go to bed early (5pm), and the next morning I woke up at 8 am. The first thing the host tells me is that she wanted to talk to me. I was like okay sure...then the host apparently changed her mind and decided she does not feel comfortable hosting me anymore and tells me I should leave immediately.
My inital reaction was shocking but then I thought about everything she said the day before about how picky she is and that she has done this before with guests. It's like she is first testing out the guest and if she finds one little thing about the guest she does not like she would simply kick the guest out of her house because it is not alligned with what she wants. When I asked the host for clarification she would get angry and her voice would raise towards me. I tried to stay calm but I was frustrated as I just woke up and I had no clue why this happened.
The host told me I was complaining about this and that upon arrival. Which is definitely not the case as I haven't been there long enough to complain about anything, if there was a reason to do so. Why would I do that upon my arrival? The host told me she went to check the reviews I left behind for other hosts and she didn't like some of them. I told the host that the reviews I leave for hosts are honest reviews and it is my right upon check out to share my experience so that the next guest(s) are aware of what to expect both good and bad things. The host knew I am a good guest because all my reviews left by hosts are good. And I know my values. I am honest and sincere and I respect the property where I'm a guest.
Anyway, the host was really flipping out and she then called Airbnb. She wanted me to confirm to cancel the future reservation that would start 2 days later. Airbnb told the host they would have to speak to me seperately and that the host has to cancel otherwise I would have lost a lot of money. So while the host is talking to Airbnb I called Airbnb myself and explained my side. The host was quickly making lies saying that I now refuse to pay for the 1 night I stayed at her place. I said I was willing to pay but you never told me how much you would charge me. And the fact that now the situation has changed because you are not satisfied having me as a guest why would I even pay when you are kicking me out for no reason. On top of cancelling a long term booking that was made in advance and for long term. Basically leaving me with empty hands on the street.
Since the host allowed me to stay for 2 nights prior the checking in, there was not much on Airbnb side they could do regarding me to pay the host. Because those 2 nights were not booked through Airbnb. And for me I had no leg to stand on to stay in the hosts house so I was simply packing my stuff and ordering an uber quickly out of the property in case the host would call the police. I stayed silent and didn't say anything to the host while she was going on a rant.
Airbnb later refunded me in full and luckily I found a new Airbnb the same day. But I was completely flabbergasted why the host reacted like this. I have done nothing wrong. But I also learned the lesson that I will not except a booking if it's not done through Airbnb. Because of those 2 nights were booked through Airbnb, the host would have needed to give me more time to search for another Airbnb. Not 10 minutes after I woke up. Some of fresh groceries like chicken and fish I had to leave behind because at that time I had nowhere to go.
I went to nearest Starbucks and stayed there for an hour. It is scary to think about that a host can be so cruel and so mentally instable to host in the first place.
Obviously this is my word against the host. But I know the truth. In situations like this, especially since the host is a female and I am a male it is better to stay quiet. Because unfortunately there sitations where the host could call the police and simply come up with some fake story like the guest attacked or abused her. As a man this is the last thing you expect. But this was in LA and LA has many crazy people.
Just sharing my frustations. I really want Airbnb to look more into this host. I also want the host to receive a penalty for making a cancelation on such short notice. As a guest I want Airbnb to be more stricter who can be a host. There are lot of bad hosts out there. But yet the focus is on the guests. As a guest we have to provide a lot of information, multiple IDs etc etc in order for the host to be satisfied. Yet we never receive any ID info about the host.