False Smoking Allegation and Unfair Damage Charge

[Tymofii3]

I recently experienced a frustrating situation with an Airbnb stay that resulted in a false accusation of smoking, followed by a damage claim of $260 for “smoke odor removal.”

However, I did not smoke in the apartment and neither did anyone who stayed with me. I am a non-smoker, and I recorded a full video of the apartment at checkout showing it was in clean condition with no signs of smoking. The video is timestamped and backed by metadata.

What makes the situation worse is that the host’s co-host messaged me the very next day (May 6)after my checkout with a polite message thanking me for my stay and asking for a review—no mention of any issue. Only 13 days later did they submit a smoking claim, which feels extremely retaliatory. I had declined their false charge before they left a one-word review: “smoking”, which Airbnb later removed for violating the Review Policy.

Additionally, the apartment was part of a subdivided building with multiple studio units, all with separate locks and codes. Other guests were staying in the same complex, so any odor could have easily originated elsewhere.

Despite video evidence, metadata, and the timing of the host’s own messages, Airbnb still sided with the host and requested payment. I’m shocked by the outcome and concerned about how easy it is for hosts to make baseless claims without proof.

I’ve filed an appeal and shared everything with Airbnb support again. This experience has shaken my trust in the platform, and I want other travelers to be aware that you should always document the condition of your rental at checkout—because even if you’re completely innocent, you may still be charged.

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Tymofii3,

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience — that sounds incredibly upsetting, especially when you've done everything right and even went the extra mile to document your stay.

It's deeply concerning when a false accusation like this can lead to a significant charge, despite clear evidence to the contrary. You did exactly what responsible guests should do — documenting the apartment with a video and saving metadata to back it up. It’s disappointing to hear that this wasn’t given the weight it deserves during Airbnb’s review process.

You also make a really important point about the timing of the complaint and the layout of the building — both of which seem to raise valid questions about the legitimacy of the claim. The fact that the host only raised the issue nearly two weeks later, after initially thanking you, does raise red flags.

Thank you for sharing your story so openly — it’s a reminder to all travelers to always document the condition of a space at both check-in and checkout. Sadly, even with all the right precautions, the resolution process doesn’t always feel fair. I really hope your appeal is successful and that Airbnb re-evaluates your case more carefully this time.

Please keep us posted — we’re all learning from one another here, and your experience may help protect others from similar issues.