Theft as a guest

[Mark5731]

Hi there,

I have searched high and low for an answer to this question but have yet to receive a satisfactory answer.

I recently stayed at an apartment booked through airbnb and unfortunately had items stolen from the premises. Looking online, most all of the postings are about guests stealing items from the apartment but there seems to be very little about guests being stolen from.

I am a keen photographer, and among other things had a camera and lenses and an iPad taken while we were out of the building. In total I have attached a value of around £3500 to the equipment taken. I can trace where the ipad went - it is currently in Moldova.

Thing is, all Airbnb have offered is a 'goodwill' payment of £381, which barely covers my losses. 

I am loathed to go through the small claims court here in the UK, but can see no other way of resolving this issue to my satisfaction.

The theft was facilitated by a terrible lack of security where we stayed, and I have statements from other permanent residents in the building stating that they have on many occasions found unauthorised persons in the building, even the homeless sleeping there over night.

I am not a crook and have no need for the money - I have already replaced the missing camera and lenses. It is the principle of the thing that I am concerned with.

If anyone else has a similar experience or advice before I take thins to the next level it would be appreciated.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Mark5731 Have you got a police report? If so I would claim through your travel insurance. Aircover is not a regulated insurance policy and, even if it pays out, it only pays a depreciated value.

[Marie8425]

@Mark5731 

The other thing to win in court you have to prove the Host was responsible.  The Host unsecured the property after you secured it?  If you had obvious concerns about valuables in the property even if secured

Did you contact Host?

Did you contact Airbnb?

Did someone assure you not a concern so leave 3500 equipment in property?

Did any of the neighbors have items stolen on a regular basis?

[Lorina14]

@Mark5731 

I agree with @Mike-And-Jane0 about travel insurance coverage (if you had it). Also sometimes renter’s insurance can cover this or even car insurance if items were stolen from a car. 

A police report needs to be filed and documentation of everything is key. Unfortunately I think you are right that you need to make a claim through small claims court.

[Helen3]

Sorry to hear  about your experience . What do you mean by a terrible lack of security ? Was there no lock on your front door? I can't imagine that would be the case or you wouldn't have left expensive camera equipment there if you felt the property wasn't secured.

what did the police say? @Mark5731 

Good news - this theft is something you can claim on your travel insurance. 

[Greg2406]

@Mark5731 

Sorry that you had items taken.   As @Helen3  mentions, when traveling with that expensive of equipment, one would hope to have adequate travel insurance.   At arrival to the property, it should be relatively easy to determine how secure the area and location are.   Expensive items can be locked into a metal security case specifically for travel.   SBE Direct is one company (France), SAFEGO is another.  SentrySafe and MAGJI and Master Lock 5900 are a few more.   Easy to install a wire security cable and lock to something inside the property that would keep it in place.