Dragging Furniture Noise from my Airbnb Neighbour

[Meg1493]

The apartment above does Airbnb, and the guests always drag the furniture constantly which makes some noise every time they move the table, chair or whatever. I have put some notes on the door several times to ask them to install felt skids but it seems that they haven’t done anything about it. (Or the guests just threw away the notes and the host hasn’t realized it) I also have called Airbnb when the guests put the music so loud and I also explained about the noise problem. Although Airbnb said that they had talked with the host, the noise problem hasn’t solved yet…

obviously the host doesn’t live here so I don’t know who I should ask for help…

Could someone please advise my problem? Thank you,

[Huma0]

@Meg1493 

I assume you have been able to locate the listing on the Airbnb website in order to tell Airbnb CS which one it is?

If not, do a search for your specific area and you should be able to find it. The listings don't show the exact location, but close enough for you to identify which one it is on the map.

Then, you can send an 'enquiry' (not booking request, as you don't want to accidentally end up with a booking) directly to the host. You will need to enter dates and number of people but, as it's just an enquiry, there is no commitment. 

You could then politely explain to the host directly the situation. Airbnb may or may not already have done this, you have no way of really knowing at this point, so it's worth reaching out directly.

Personally, I would be happy to put felt pads on the bottom of furniture (it protects the floors too) and I would like to know if the guests are disturbing neighbours. The host may even have a rule about keeping the noise down, which the guests are ignoring without his/her knowledge. They may appreciate you reaching out.

Or, they might not care, which means you will have to try a different tactic, but I would give this a go first.

[Meg1493]

@Huma0 Thank you for the reply, and yes I know the listing and I'm going to send the message directly to the host then. I was afraid to talk to the host directly but the noise is getting louder. Hopefully, things will be solved soon...

[Laura2592]

@Meg1493 I would think the host would want to know if someone was moving a lot of furnishings. Many hosts have rules about that. It can cause damage and injury. I would definitely contact the host and let them know what you are hearing. They may want to update their house rules to include that. At the very least, guests should not be moving large, heavy items in spaces they don't own. Too many things can go wrong!

[Huma0]

@Laura2592 

That's what I initially thought. I have a rule about not rearranging my furniture for the reasons you mention. However, when I read back the OP, it seems it's more that they may be dragging, rather than lifting, chairs whenever they sit down at or get up from the table. Soooo many people do this, unfortunately (sounds like the issue is not with a particular set of guests but an ongoing one). It's not just a noise issue if people live under you but damages the floors over time.

I have put felt pads on the feet of a lot of my furniture, but need to get around to doing the rest. It's an easy and inexpensive fix. 

The loud music is another issue.

[Meg1493]

Thank you for the reply, since this is a 1 bedroom apartment there shouldn't be many things that guests need to move all the time. I’ve been wondering why they drag them even in the 2am in the morning? Anyway I’m going to contact with the host.

[Sarah977]

@Meg1493  This is not necessarily an issue specific to the apartment being an Airbnb. Whenever one lives in an apartment, you may be subject to loud neighbors above, below or next to you, even from other full time tenants.

As suggested by others, try contacting the host directly, rather than leaving notes on the door. 

If loud music is happening, depending on your local laws regarding noise disturbance, you may be able to get a local bylaw officer to speak to the guests or the landlord, if the host is unresponsive to your complaints.

Unfortunately, there are many people who sometimes have to find a different place to live, due to disrespectful or nasty neighbors, that there doesn't seem to be any way to control. I hope that doesn't turn out to be case for you.

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

You're right, it's not necessarily specifically because it's an Airbnb, but I guess it makes it harder for the neighbour to deal with the people making the noise. Some neighbours are inconsiderate anyway, but guests staying for a short time are likely to care less, unless the host is strict about noise, in touch with their neighbours and therefore the guest risks a bad review. Even as a live in host, I've had noise issues with guests. Some people are loud and most of them don't realise that they are. Some people are light footed and others heavy footed.

On the other hand, it's also about tolerance levels. What is acceptable noise for some is unacceptable for others. Some people live in apartment buildings but expect not to hear a single noise. I used to live in a flat above a couple who seemed very unhappy with their lives. They were always complaining that I made too much noise even though, at that time, I was barely home, never wore shoes in the apartment or played much music and didn't even have a TV. In fact, I used to tiptoe around so as not to disturb them. I never complained to them that I could constantly hear their fights and the screaming, hysterical rows over who should do the washing up. When they left, a young couple with a baby moved in. I told them to tell me if I was too noisy. They said they couldn't hear me at all.

Another time, I lived in a flat in Cape Town and never had complaints from neighbours. When I had to leave South Africa, my boyfriend and friends stayed on but were evicted because the neighbours below were constantly complaining about the noise. One month later, the agent contacted them to ask if they wanted to move back in. Why? Because the flat had been completely empty the whole time but the neighbours were still complaining every day about the unacceptable noise.

[Meg1493]

@Sarah977 Thank you for your reply, 

I had no clue who I should talk with this problem with at first, because I only knew that they were only the guests, not the tenant. I also couldn’t find the listing on the Airbnb website and leaving notes was the only thing I could think of.

Many tenants do Airbnb here, and I don’t mind that, but one day, the loud music flew at 1 in midnight. I couldn’t sleep so I went to ask the guests to be turn it down but they never open the door. The neighbor next door also came up but it never helped at all.

[Lisa723]

@Meg1493 @Huma0 @Sarah977 @Laura2592 

Yes, best to try to talk with the host first, but if that doesn't work:

https://www.airbnb.com/neighbors

[Huma0]

@Lisa723 

That's very useful. Seems like a better option than speaking to a CS rep who maybe doesn't usually deal with this area.

@Meg1493 

Definitely try to speak to the host first though as he/she may not be aware of the noise problems and it's better to work with him/her if that's an option.

[Meg1493]

Hi, I just would like to say thank you to all of you for your advise. it’s a little update that I sent the message to the host through the inquiry yesterday. However, the host only accepted the dates I had to request in order to send a message, and she hasn’t replied to the message. I sent the same message about the noise twice (and have only 6hrs to book the place)

What should I do? Should I contact Airbnb Customer Service?

Recently, it is getting horrible, I found a cigarette butt was thrown in my balcony (I never smoke) 

[Lisa723]

@Meg1493 

https://www.airbnb.com/neighbors

and complain to the building’s owner

[Huma0]

@Meg1493 

Did you send a booking inquiry or a booking request?

1. Booking inquiry/enquiry - this is just a message, which the host must respond to within 24 hours to keep up their acceptance rate. There is no booking made, but they can send you a pre-approval, which allows you then to book. It sounds like this is maybe what's happening as it's giving you a timeline to book. Obviously, you don't want to book, so just let that expire.

2. Booking request. The host has to either accept or decline within 24 hours. If they haven't accepted yet, withdraw it ASAP as you don't want to make a booking! If they have, as long as the dates are more than 14 days away, you have 48 hours from the time of the booking to cancel penalty free. If that is the case, cancel asap so you don't get charged.

It's not great that the host has either pre-approved or accepted without bothering to read your messages. That's not good hosting practice at all.

Sorry they are not being helpful. I would try the link that @Lisa723 gave above and below and yes, if there is someone who runs the building, e.g. a management company or landlord or freeholder, you could also contact them.

[Meg1493]

I sent a booking inquiry, and she has sent a pre-approval within an hour but without responding my message. Is there a possibility that this host hasn’t read/realized my message?

I’m going to try the link @Lisa728 provided and contact with whoever runs this building.

Thank you for all of you for the prompt responses. I really appreciate it!