Help! I'm unsure if I am obligated to pay damage.

[Tina12416]

I recently stayed at a cabin. After 4 days, I received a message saying one of the legs has slightly come off from a chair located in one of the lower floors of the house. During my stay, I only used the chair to place a small bag on it occasionally (10 pounds max). It was in a room that was rarely used. I never sat on the chair or caused any significant stress to it. It didn't topple over when I left or showed signs of damage, so I'm unsure how I was supposed to catch that I had somehow broke it.  I'm unsure what to do because they want me to replace the chair for $130.

Without prior notice that the chair was fragile or should be avoided, I used it as one would reasonably expect of a chair. If the chair was already in poor condition or had existing issues, it’s hard for me to believe that I should be held responsible for damage that was caused by normal, intended uses. I'm afraid it's seen some wear and tear from previous guests and maybe gave out when I was there. I am unsure how to handle this situation.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Tina12416 👋

I'm sorry to hear about your recent experience. I wondered if you'd reached out to Airbnb Support regarding this issue? 

If you head to this link (https://www.airbnb.ie/help/article/1542) you'll be able to reach the Support Team. 

Hope this helps, 
Rebecca 🌟

[Elaine701]

@Tina12416 

I think I'm going to have to side with you. 

As a host, I would never try to charge a guest for a broken chair leg. It would take more damage than that. Unless of course, there were other things. 

But without seeing the full picture, this sounds like an overzealous host. 

If you just say no, Airbnb is highly likely to tell the host "no". They are extremely guest-favouritive. 

Good luck with that.

[Lorna170]

I am an owner.  If I have a suspect chair, I remove it.  There would be liability if a guest sat in it and it broke.  My housekeeper or I check the property and the furnishings after each guest, and I as the owner would not charge a guest for a "broken" chair unless I found it splintered all over the floor.  Furnishings do wear out or become suspect after a certain amount of use, but I would not charge a guest for a loosened leg.

If you broke it unintentionally while a guest, and you knew that it broke due to your use (or misuse), I would expect you to contact the owner immediately on breaking the chair and offer some amount of compensation.  

I am siding with you based on your description of the circumstances.