Cancellation by Host

[Helen3031]

In February this year, I booked a Marais apartment in Paris for a stay in October.  Marais apartments are hard to come by and against my normal practice, I agreed to pay the 50% deposit that is only partly refundable if I cancelled.

I've just received communication from the Host and AirBnB that my booking has been cancelled because the Host has problems with her apartment. I'm not sure what problems she has that can't be fixed before October.

I'm aware that AirBnB can impose penalties on the Host, but that does not help me.  My travel plans are fixed and I'm not able to find equivalent apartments at affordable prices in the Marais. Furthermore, the Host has had use of my funds for 4 months and yet there is no mention of any compensation. Am I entitled to make any claim?

Thanks,

[Mike-And-Jane0 · Accepted solution]

@Helen3031 Simple answer is NO. Airbnb provides Aircover for guests but it just says that if a host cancels then Airbnb will try to find alternative accommodation OR refund the guest's money. So actually the guarantee is, in most cases, no better than your legal rights (and potentially worse as it allows for no compensation). Sometimes Airbnb will give the guest a small credit to help them find another place which is the least they should do given that they fine the host 10% of the cost of the stay for cancelling.

If it makes you feel any better (it won't) Aircover is just as dodgy for hosts.

Oh and just one correction. Airbnb has had your money for the last 4 months not the host.

[Helen3031]

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply and for the information provided.
I wouldn't be so upset if I could find an alternative apartment, but all the good apartments have been taken and of those that are left, the asking rents are two to three times more than when I booked back in February.
It seems that in situations like this, the renter comes out worst.

Thanks kindly for lending an ear.