Host keeping items left behind, even after guest contacted host the same day as departure for these items!

[Cynthia1074]

Hello

We were in a rush to get to our next stop, and realized 6 hours after we left an Airbnb house that we had left a few items behind, including a reading lamp and bedding.  Contacted the host who claimed he threw the items in the trash and declared that we should not have "abandoned these items". This was 6 hours after we left the place, the same day! We highly doubt He threw them away, we suspect he decided to keep them.

After 24 hours, he added that he is keeping the items because the place 'was a mess", which was not true. Mind you, there was water out front from leaking hoses, and a pile of leaves we had to walk over to get to the door. 

Long story short, Airbnb is not doing anything to help us. So although host is supposed to contact you if you leave items behind, it seems legal by the rules of this site that the said host could decide to keep everything or trash it. And you have no recourse, because there is no penalty for the host to do so. 

[Huma0]

@Cynthia1074 

Well, that's certainly interesting. No, I am not aware of such a policy. Although I do not claim to know all Airbnb policy inside and out, I am surprised that I have not come across this and cannot find it on a Google search. All I can find is guidelines for guests if they forget something, and none of them say the guest's forgotten belongings are the host's responsibility.

It would be really useful if you could link the Airbnb policy that states Airbnb host must contact a guest about items left behind.

[Cynthia1074]

I once saw the link on Airbnb, and it was confirmed in my chat with them. I will look for it again. It is just common sense to contact the guest and ask what to do with the items. It takes only a few seconds.

According to some of the replies on this thread, in case the guest left a wallet, an ID, or anything of value, it would be ok to dispose of it or to keep it without contacting the guest. There is something not right there. 

[Huma0]

@Cynthia1074 

Any host worth their salt would contact the guest if valuables were left behind. My point was more than guests leave behind random junk all the time because they can't be bothered with it and somehow see it as the host's responsibility to dispose of it.

I am still confused why you needed to bring to a listing a lamp that was identical to the one already provided. Were you moving house or something?

[Huma0]

@Cynthia1074 

Also, am I missing something? Were you moving house? Why did you bring an identical lamp to the listing?

[Cynthia1074]

I had no idea it was going to be identical. I write at night and need good lighting

[Helen3]

Can you provide a link to this rule that you state that Airbnb has in it's T&C stating hosts have to contact guests who leave things behind and give guests a choice to return to the listing or the host has to mail it to you @Cynthia1074 

Not seen it in six years of hosting.

[Fred13]

Needless to say, this guy is not representative of Airbnb, its hosts or honest human beings. The height of pathetic.

[Cynthia1074]

I agree. Anything forgotten at his place will never be recovered, even if they are claimed the same day. I hope this type of incident doesn't happen often on Airbnb as there would be no longer any safety for guest's belongings.

[Jennifer1897]

@Cynthia1074 As others have stated it is essentially the guest's responsibility for making sure they have collected all their items before departing. I understand that you called the host, however he likely had the place cleaned and prepared for the next guest's arrival within that 6 hours, so it is not impossible to believe he might have discarded the items. A lot of us do same day turn overs so we have a small window to prepare the space following a departure and an arrival.   

Every host is different on how they handle things that are left behind. Personally, I inform the guest if it is something of value and give them the opportunity to decide if they would like to arrange to have it retuned at their cost. However, this host should not be withholding your items based on the perceived state of the home. You can, as others have said, contact airbnb regarding this. Hopefully your communication was done via the platform, so you have support for your case.  

Bringing up minimal issues such as a hose leak or leaves in the walkway are basically irrelevant to your complaint and sound more retaliatory in nature, given that they were only brought up following an issue. I would leave that out of this situation and just move forward with focusing on getting your items back. 

I did notice this is not an isolated incident, and that you have had numerous issues with your previous hosts resulting in bad reviews regarding your stays. When your problematic behavior becomes a pattern, it is going to be hard to support your case and presenting issues in the future. 

[Cynthia1074]

Hmmm. The issues you are referring to are related to hosts showing a location for an airbnb and then directing the guest to a totally different address after they receive payments? Or a host stating there is a kitchen for the guest but then showing a rusted electrical plate sitting outside in the rain? Or misleading the guests in their ad ? Why should I not speak up if there are such issues? It seems that you agree with me to contact the guest if they are items left behind. That is common sense. 

I am just stating that I Airbnb has all the communication from the chats, and I don't understand why hosts can get away with such bad "behavior" as you call it. Looks like you are annoyed at a lot of guests on your threads, and try to find ways to get rid of a few at least.

[Jonathan1945 · Accepted solution]

This is rotten and terrible customer service. I could see the host requesting reimbursment for shipping but yes they should definitely try to return your belongings. 

[Cynthia1074]

I would have paid for shipping. That was not even an option. 

[Jenny]

Hi @Cynthia1074 

What was the outcome of your enquiries with Airbnb?  Did you manage to get some help?

Please let us know, if you can.

Jenny

[Cynthia1074]

Hello Jenny
Thanks for asking. The host account is suspended for this rental.

[Inna22]

@Jenny I hope based on @Cynthia1074 overall behavior as a guest you can help this poor host to get the account back