My host is going through the house when I’m out

[Allie48]

Hi everyone,

I am currently staying in a in a place for two weeks while I’m doing a course at University. I have a whole house that is on the same property as the owner, and have not had the best Airbnb experience so far...

Firstly, when I arrived the house was in tidy condition, but there were a few things that weren’t the cleanest about it such as hair in the shower drain and an old shower body scrub someone had clearly used a lot. There were a few surfaces not wiped down too but I got over that. 

I then biticed there there was no hand soap and I also had to buy extra toilet paper as I was only given 3 rolls for two weeks (I asked for more and was given an additional 2 rolls - not enough). 

I then then discovered that when I was getting home on multiple occasions someone had been through the house. On the second occasion I asked the host about it and she apologised and said she was seeing there wasn’t a leak because water was coming out where they were having plumbing work done. 

Thats another thing, one morning a bunch of plumbers showed up and started working outside but I left them and thought it’s not bothering me - until I found out they were switching the water off from 8am till 4pm everyday and so I couldn’t use the toilet in that time!!! 

I think this this is not only a total breach of my privacy, but also there was no communication about the plumbers until the project manager approached me!! Also, the host asked if she could bring through a potential tenant through the house to have a look at it... I am NOT happy about this! I said yes because it was clearly already organised and would’ve been done anyway. All my private things are in the home and I do not want people walking through the house without my permission.

has anyone has an experience like this before? What did you do? I do not want to talk to her about it in person because it makes me feel uncomfortable. 

[Mark116]

Agree w/what others have said.  Unless there is an emergency, like we once came home and were out in the back yard to see our guests had left the window open and wrongly opened so it was in danger of falling out during 20 F weather and we went in and closed it.  We messaged them that 'hey, we're going in to close the window'...but other than something like that the host should not be in your space without your permission.

If these plumbing issues were already scheduled and are not something that  has just happened, e.g. emergency, then it is wrong that the host did not tell you in advance so you would have the option of cancelling and finding a less disruptive place to stay or arrange for a reduced rate.

Just tell the host via message that you are busy doing XYZ, and so you prefer to communicate over the message system and not in person, because it disrupts your schedule, something like that.

I have to agree that 5 rolls for one person seems like a LOT of toilet paper, LOL. 

[Sandra126]

A quick note re toilet paper: There are differently sized rolls. Cheap ones which finish in a nanosecond (I live with a big consumer of paper, how? Why? Who knows. We buy a paper called ''double length'', also for the accom. Means you are not forever changing the roll, lasts and lasts. Normal rolls finish fast. Cheaper ones faster. Also, some people have different needs, let's just say that toilet paper is an expense we have to have, so work out which paper gives the best and longest use. In my case (Australia), Quilton Double Length. Expensive, but works out the best value. Also comfortable.

Unless it says that host only provides paper for the beginning of longer stay, you really should provide even if guest has conditions which may prompt more frequent visits.