Mold smell

[Susan6336]

I rented a place and when we walked in it had a moldy smell. I am very allergic to mold but I said well let’s see maybe it’s just very musty smelling and I won’t react to it. Well within a short period of time my throat was getting very tight, I was cuffing a lot and my chest started to hurt. This is how my body reacts to mold so we quick packed up and got in the car and I took an allergy pill. I then called the host to say we couldn’t stay and that they had a mold issue. She started to yell where, where is the mold. Well I didn’t nor could I check for it. I had to get out and my husband wasn’t going to leave me alone to look for it. You can clearly smell it. I couldn’t leave a review as they canceled my reservation so a real review could not be left. The host would not return our monies either. Airbnb returned our monies in full. So I’m not too sure how valid the 4.6 was on their listing. 

[Susan6336]

The owner was very confrontational, you can clearly smell there is an issue. 

[Quincy]

Welcome to the Community Center @Susan6336! Thank you for sharing that support was was able to help you with this. I was just wondering whether you've seen Shelley's reply? 

[Susan6336]

No @Quincy. I was able to leave a review the Airbnb site said. So I wrote it Friday and it not been posted to the Airbnb site. this is not right as there is a clear medical issue in this home and they are still able to rent and my review is not available for others to read or upgrade their review score. Not good Airbnb!

[Susan6336]

Airbnb said I could post a review and I sent it to them on the form they sent me. It’s still not posted. Not good. 

[Shelley159]

Hi @Susan6336 

If the host or guest cancels after 12h00 on the day of check-in, both can still leave reviews. It's possible that you're just not being prompted to leave a review yet, because the system will only start asking for it after your original checkout date.

A rating of 4.6 is not considered good on Airbnb, so some previous guests must've been unhappy too. You can leave an honest review when prompted, but it's always best to stick to facts and leave out any emotion.

Unfortunately it sounds like the host may leave a negative review of you too (which you may try to argue was retaliatory).

[Susan6336]

@Shelley159 I was told by Airbnb that I cancelled before 12 midnight so I can’t leave a review.  I wrote in a complaint and they said I could leave a review now. I wrote it and sent it but it never was posted. I wrote to Airbnb and sent my review to them and they never posted it. I had to get out of there because my reaction to the mold was so bad. It could be behind the walls under the bed who knows. When it’s a health issue you can’t scout around. They know it smells bad, it’s very hard not too. 

[Oksana127 · Accepted solution]

Airbnb Guest Safety Cheat Sheet: Mold / Unsafe Conditions

1. Leave immediately

If you smell mold, see damage, or experience allergic reactions/health issues, get out first.

Your safety comes before everything else.

2. Notify the host

Message or call them:

“We noticed a strong musty smell and are experiencing allergic reactions. We cannot stay for health reasons.”

You don’t need to inspect or prove anything yourself.

3. Document (optional but helpful)

Take photos or videos of the space if safe.

Keep all messages to the host as evidence.

4. Contact Airbnb ASAP

Explain the situation clearly.

Ask for a full refund under the Guest Refund Policy (unsafe, unclean, or misrepresented property).

5. Follow Airbnb guidance

Airbnb may cancel the reservation, refund your payment, and take action against the host.

Don’t worry if you can’t leave a review — Airbnb’s policies protect your rights regardless.

6. Protect your health

Take any allergy or medical precautions immediately.

Health first, paperwork second.

[Susan6336]

I completely agree. The additional problem here is you can’t leave a true review of the place so no one else will know. We had to drive home after the reception when we were going to drive the next day. 

[Helen3]

You will be able to leave a review if the booking was cancelled on the day of check in. @Susan6336 

Who actually cancelled the booking ? 

it's hard to prove mould if you didn't take any photos/videos to show this. 

do previous reviews mention any mould issues? 

[Susan6336]

One issue was not answered. The review score is wrong. How can anyone really believe the scores when you can’t score the place when something happens?  

[Enri1804]

Well now I’m curious where you went. What town?