Deceptive Listings

[Mark4824]

How often are renters being duped by a listing that is misrepresented, then protected by ABB?

We have had nothing but great expieriences with ABB in the past, but this last attempt was a disaster!

The unit we rented ended up being next to government housing. The host mentions nothing about this in her listing, and when we asked directly, she lied and said it wasn't...it is! (pictures sent to ABB.)

My son and I were afraid to get out of the car as a ** woman was following us  after she saw me take a picture of her to send to ABB , in an attempt to give examples of the situation we were in, for refund purposes. The woman started screaming and yelling that we owed her 5k for the picture, and would not leave us alone. We should have known it was going to be a tricky situation when we drove up to the unit with graffiti on the building next door, broken windows, a dead mattress and furniture on the curb, trash everywhere, illegal items on the sidewalk, beer cans, eviction notices on front doors, boarded up business etc.!

When we contacted The host, she dismissed our concerns and tried to turn it around on us, that we weren't ok with the situation, we must have a problem. Its been 9 days, and were still trying to get a refund for a property we could not get out of our car to get into! 

ABB must have higher standards for their hosts!

Here's the listing below **

**[Identifiable listing removed  and some content removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

[Kia272]

I have a personal relationship with the owner? Please fill me in on that, because I don't have a clue. 

[Mark4824]

You said you have known the owner of the unit since kindergarten!?!? Did you remove that post?

[Bhumika]

Hi @Mark4824 ,

I am sorry to hear that your stay didn't go as expected and thanks for sharing all about the situation with us.

I am sure @Kia272 was trying to add her insights on this situation. 

It would be great if we continue to engage in a respectful conversation and avoid getting personal to keep this thread meaningful and make sure to follow our  Community Center Guidelines.

[Mark4824]

what was disrespectful? the word judgy?

[LaWanna0]

💯

[LaWanna0]

I beg to differ.  

1. The host chose that area and should describe it correctly in her listing.  She wrote,…a quote street—if it is public housing in the US, I guarantee you it is not quite.   

He is not from this city he is a visitor and if it is as he described I would want a full refund.  The description is inaccurate.   

I grew up in Chicago and own property in a section of town that has areas as he described.  The block my property is on is good but the surrounding area is scary which is why it is a long term rental not Str.  

[Helen744]

@Mark4824 I understand what you are saying and really you need to use the review system to mention that the 'surrounding areas , were very run down with 'lots of rubbish and abandoned belongings on the footpath ' that should alert other renters . If you could not acess the property then this is also an issue but not because of 'social phobia'  ' a feeling of being unsafe 'and 'uncomfortable ' because of the general run down condition of the area would be to the point and acceptable to Airbnb, but as Kia272 remarked the mention of 'housing commission ' is not acceptable as many persons in housing commission would not be obvious to anyone else at all.. People are people . should the owner have told you or should you have checked the general area and even the specific area before travel. Its all do able . The home must have looked okay to you or you would not have booked but its always a good idea if no general outside pics are available to look elsewhere or even ask the host. If you feel 'uncomfortable ... there is a person nearby where i am whose house backs off a wrecking yard , she does not disclose and many people comment but she gives good clear instructions not to use that entry and she books like crazy because of other things ...so maybe you should have gone inside... H

[Helen744]

Are you sure it was not 'hard rubbish ' pickup which is a thing in most cities and does mean great piles of household rubbish on footpaths for days or sometimes weeks . ?

[Mark4824]

Thanks for your input, I appreciate your response.

I did ask the host, and she was dishonest about the location saying it was NOT government housing. Why be dishonest if it's not deceptive? 

The cropped pictures on her page looked ok...Now I see why they were limited.

Host described the street as quiet on her page, it's def not quite in any way. Lots of activity all around.  In regard to the rubbish, I know what you're talking about, but the trash was everywhere, not relegated to a specific area. Broken windows, graffiti, eviction notices on doors, vacant boarded up businesses/homes...not a typical $350.00 per night stay at all! If the owner describes the neighborhood as "up and coming" or "transitional", etc, the expectations would be lowered, but the listing does not reflect the reality, especially for the price! The property was mis represented. Owners have a duty to be completely honest to a renter, especially  when they are traveling across the country to stay in their property.  Furthermore, ABB should hold hosts to a strict standard, to avoid headaches for BOTH parties. It not a pleasant conversation to tell an owner you are displeased with their home. Lastly, the owner made no attempt to help the situation. Zero consideration for the fact that I had flown across country, with my son, and now have nowhere to stay. No suggestion how to fix the issue, no collaboration, or alternatives, nothing! She did have  opinions about me personally, and what a bad person I must be, to have suggested her property was not as described, as I assume to deflect from the lack of transparency about her listing/unit. 

[LaWanna0]

He wants his money back as I would as well, leaving a review would be last in my mind.  Besides the review can be removed because he did not enter.    If he feels unsafe, I would not go in either and certainly would not put my child at risk.