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. 

[Cynthia1074]

I appreciate your feedback, but I have more pleasant experiences than not. 

Sometimes guests don't post their problems as they are worried about the host response. There are instances of a host directing a guest to a totally different address after receiving payment, but they will never admit it and will blame it on the guest.. I think that most people just put up with it, plus they are tired of traveling. At the very least, hosts could indicate that the photo and address is only an indicator of a general area and a typical apartment of house, but they don't, as they would not be able to use Airbnb. And that's how these fraudulent operations thrive: From taking advantage of travelers' fatigue and fears. Perhaps Airbnb could improve their services so it's easier to spot them.