Accused of stealing and not cleaning properly.

[Amelia306]

Hello there,

So we stayed in an Air BnB for 30 days and the service fee was $170 USD. A day after we left I was contacted by the host and accused of stealing a curtain, leaving wine stains and a dirty shower. We contacted him back and after a picture was shared the stain he is referencing to is an oil defuser stain (provided by the host) that was placed behind a long curtain. It was spilled when we opened the curtain and cleaned it as soon as we realized what happened. We paid his requested fee for fixing the stain. 

My issue is being accused of stealing (which was later removed because his wife miscounted) and not cleaning properly when deep cleaning supplies were not provided (e.g. bathroom spray and a scrubber brush). We assumed this responsibility was for the host.

We are not trying to rock the boat but also do not want to be taken advantage of. My issue is he keeps messaging us and berating about how "we could do better" and "very disappointed".

He was not clear that we needed to deep clean and shouldn't he have provided the materials? Is it common for guests to purchase these items during long stays? 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Brian2036]

@Amelia306 

I’m sorry to hear about what sounds like abusive behavior from a host.

You have acknowledged and paid for a minor damage that most hosts probably would have ignored. You should not be subjected to further harassment.

And NO, guests are not required to provide cleaning supplies or do “deep cleaning.”

For a thirty-day stay a guest at our chalet would be expected to keep the bathrooms clean, wash their own linens in the laundry room we provide, vacuum once a week, and wash their own dishes, just as most people do in their own homes.

If this host continues to harass you, you should forward the messages to Airbnb.

[Sarah977]

@Amelia306  You stayed for 30 days and never cleaned the toilet because there wasn't a toilet brush? Why didn't you ask the host for one or go buy one? They're only a few bucks.

Hosts do not necessarily provide cleaning supplies for long term stays. If you look in the amenities section of a listing, it will say if cleaning products are supplied.  You cannot assume that things are provided that are not offered.

Cleaning supplies is also something you could have asked for or bought. Not cleaning anything because there weren't cleaning supplies is a really lame excuse for leaving a place dirty after you've been there a month.

When you do some damage, you are supposed to notify the host right away, not "clean it up as best you can", and not mention it.

The host really shouldn't have an oil diffuser at all, though, and certainly not set where it can be easily knocked over.

No, guests are not expected to deep clean. They are expected to clean up after themselves and leave the place basically clean and tidy. Counters and stovetop clean, garbage in the bin, floor swept, fridge cleaned out, etc. And if you have stayed somewhere for a month, also washing the kitchen and bathroom floors, not leaving a month's worth of filth on it. Not cleaning the toilet for a month, nor washing the floor is disgusting and I'm not sure how you could live like that, but I know people do.

I'm not sure why the host keeps messaging you, though. One message to say you left the place a mess should be sufficient.