Host refused cancellation no smoke detector, no carbon monoxide, and black mold

[Alan565]

Hi, I stayed at an airbnb in San Diego. 

No smoke detector, no carbon monoxide, and black mold in the washer, and the regular washer is broken and I tried to use it and the host tried to get me to use the one that worked with mold in it. On their listing the have smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and a washing machine listed. 

I contacted Airbnb support after the black mold in the washer After I already told the host. He said that he washes bleach every now and again and it's not a problem the clothes come out clean. Disguised. Told him it's alot of black mold and I wasn't going to use it. He didn't respond.  I told Airbnb support case manager. They asked me questions like is there a smoke detector I looked and said no and there should be. Then they contacted the host. I requested them to leave and cancle as all this is going on. They denied and said I didn't give them chance to correct issues. I didn't sign up to go live in a house where I or my kids could literally die due to their neglect and not caring about the safety features they themselves are advertising currently.

Issues they corrected, broke bed, broken shower curtain. If you say you have safety features in your home and don't this is misrepresentation and I wouldnt rent your house, my kids safety was in danger for 3 nights because of this.

Issues they didn't address or respons in direct message. Black mold, hole in ceiling letting in bugs. I didn't ask them about the smoke or CO detector as Airbnb asked me themselves. I submitted picture evidence to Airbnb support case manager, I dealt with 4, with pics of ceiling and the washer, and they reviewed the msgs between me and host. In  the end i was left with letting host fix new issues while he didn't fix mold or the ceiling hole letting bugs in, he didn't care, so why would he care about these new things?. And Airbnb left

two options and didn't consider the host in the wrong at all (ie if I died they wouldnt care , state of California and duty of care would apply in the end tho in my opinion, if I did die with no smoke/CO detector)

1. Leave and cancel and lose

, like 600$ +or stay and let them deal with the stuff when they didn't anyway already (black mold wasn't to them mold what the??) and  they misrepresented the house.... Contacted San Diego housing inspection to let them know the infraction. 

Why didn't the host or Airbnb refund me? I completely refuse the outcome. Currently I'm writing a review for the property but thought to post here first for any advice dealing with Airbnb support, even tho they already gave their decision which I do not accept.

[Paul154]

@Alan565 

I'm not exactly sure what you want: 

To stay and recieve all your money back? 

OR 

To leave without giving host a chance to address your complaints and get your money back?

I'd respect you if you let the host improve the problems and happily stayed.

I'd also respect you if host refused to fix things and you left.  

But really, black mold in washing machine? Most all washing machines have  mold on the seal. It is a wet enviroment.  Your histrionics don't help your story. 

[Alan565]

The host ignored the mold, told me to use it anyway. 

I want to be refunded for the time I left and didn't stay there not the time I did stay there.

The listing said there's things there isn't. Unacceptable to me when it's a safety issue.

[Nina75]

Close the door simple... If the door is closed it won't kill you. Are you going to sue the homeowner for pain and suffering now, lost work and wages? Ive seen 1 (Debbie Downer) guest destroy 8 peoples vacation because of 1 minor issue. Thats what im getting here. you are taking a few small issues and blowing them out of proportion. 

Once a guest came to my place and there was soem rust on the trash can, the guest threw a hissy fit and Airbnb gave her a cancellation. Im not into winers.

I also see that you are using the Zoom in method of complaining. You take the camera and you  zoom in 2 inches from the stain! NICE!!!!!!!!!

Who is the rep that you spoke to??? I want to shake that reps hand!

[Sonya144]

is your place a homeless shelter or something? You sound like you live with roaches and rats and are okay with it. If that’s what you like…. Feel sorry for you

[Mark116]

@Alan565   I'm confused, did you leave early and cancel the rest of your stay?  If you did, then you should be refunded for the nights you didn't stay.  

[Alan565]

Yes I left early and they didn't refund. Airbnb closed the case and said because I cancelled i agreed to the terms. The rep did not accept the photos of no smoke and carbon monoxide and the photos of mold or ceiling hole.

[Alan565]

Sorry the refund was the original terms. 50 percent minus cleaning etc

[Kira32]

I've seen the pics, its really disgusting and the host could have cleaned it with bleach and hot water before guests arrive.

I know a lot of hosts who lost money over hygiene. When these things gets noticed, guest will notice more stuff that aren't fix and neglected in the house.

a clean home is 90% of your overall rating..... 

kira

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Alan565 

I have a monoxide and co detector at my STR but only because Airbnb gave me one for free and I host a lot of American guests 🙂

I don't have the detector at my own home, none of my family or friends have one at home and I don't know anyone who died of monoxide or CO poisoning including all previous generations of my family.

And yes, we have gas stove and heating .

But I know the guy who was stroked by the lightning and this summer the weather is really unstable so watch the weather forecast 🙂

[Emilia42]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 Same here, detectors in my the airbnbs but not in my own home (and I'm American!) I am so happy I don't live a life with constant stress and fear!

[Dimitar27]

There are few cases every year, of people, died or poisoned by harmful gases, but it's because they use heating appliances with open fire and they burn very low quality coal  or burn all kind of waste-car tyres, plastic bottles, old furniture pieces, etc.

[Helen794]

Airbnb try to be fair but it’s not always possible

I had a guest cancel because I didn’t have wifi (but it was noted on my listing) so he told Airbnb my unit wasn’t clean (lies).  There was a small mark where prior guest used my sofa to iron on and was under the cushions.   Then said that the blinds and windows are stiff (we are opposite the beach and everything is corrosive).  I didn’t get a chance to lubricate, but he convinced Airbnb he deserved a refund.  So a week after Xmas I had no bookings for the owner.

Airbnb let him cancel with full refund.  South African guests are used to getting their own way and I was out of pocket as I paid the owner what they would have received as there was no valid reason to cancel 

[Nina75]

You should not have paid the owner anything... thats the risk that we all take.

[Claire475]

I feel the very minimum a host should offer is cleanliness. I am not sure mould in a washing machine constitutes dirt and a reason to leave a home, but everyone is welcome to their opinion on that. That being said, I do believe that guests seem to want to pay a small amount in relation to what they would pay in a hotel, yet expect standards of a hotel, great location, tourist info, all conveniences, 24 hr concierge service etc. 

I personally wouldn’t have a problem about the smoke / carbon detector not being in a home I rent, but I do agree if a host lists it as being in the dwelling it should be there. @Alan565  

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Claire475 

...yet expect standards of a hotel, ..., all conveniences, .....

yeah, right, tststs.... today I've seen a post here on CC, one host was a guest in the 4* hotel in the USA, she got 3 clothangers, went to ask for more and for a vase (she had flowers) and she couldn't get it , the price for a tiny room was 200 US$ / night 😄 😄 😄