Unsafe & Misrepresented Listing — Need Advice on Escalating with Airbnb

Ryan4273
Level 1
Minneapolis, MN

Unsafe & Misrepresented Listing — Need Advice on Escalating with Airbnb

Hi everyone,

 

I’m hoping someone here can offer guidance or share what’s worked for you when Airbnb customer service isn’t responsive in an urgent situation.

 

My husband and I are currently staying at a listing that turned out to be a bait-and-switch — the location and property details were not as advertised. When we reported this to Airbnb last night, the rep said she was going to call the host directly at 11 p.m. to “talk through the issue,” which felt very unsafe. It doesn’t seem appropriate to involve a host who has already been dishonest.

 

Today, things got even worse. When we returned to the property, we found that the neighbor is in an ongoing feud with the host about the parking area the host told us we could use. We tried to stay calm and move our car, but the neighbor and host started arguing outside. It’s an incredibly uncomfortable and unsafe situation.

I’ve tried calling Airbnb multiple times for help — I’ve been transferred around and even told I couldn’t speak to a supervisor. We’ve paid over $1,200 for this booking, are over 500 miles from home, and currently have no safe place to stay.

 

I’m asking for advice on:

  • How to escalate when frontline support won’t connect you to a supervisor.

  • Whether anyone has successfully gotten a refund and relocation for a misrepresented and unsafe listing.

  • How to document this to protect ourselves and warn others about this host.

I don’t want Airbnb to involve the host further — I’m just looking for a resolution and for others to stay safe.

Any insight or suggestions would be so appreciated.

3 Replies 3
Joelle43
Top Contributor
Cannes, France

Hello @Ryan4273 

 

What a horrible situation to be in Ryan and hosts cannot switch you to another place without your approval.  Please see the Airbnb help link below on what your options are:

 

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/250

 

There are two departments you can contact - customer service and you've tried that approach with not much luck but there is also a security department if a guest is feeling unsafe.  I think you qualify!  So below is another link to help you:

 

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/1373

 

How to protect other guests?  Write a factual review and be sure to comply with Airbnb's terms and conditions so that there is no chance of the review being removed.  You can also flag the host and the listing by going on the hosts profile and you'll see "flag this host" button.

I hope Airbnb help you find another suitable place and please keep us updated on the proceedings but persistance is key.  You can also try and go on Airbnb's twitter page (X) to get help if everything else fails.

Best of luck Ryan
Joëlle (host)

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! 

Rebecca
Community Manager
Community Manager
Suffolk Coastal District, United Kingdom

Hi @Ryan4273 

 

I'm sorry to hear about the situation. I'm tagging @Joelle43 here so they receive a notification of your message after a really supportive reply. If you type "@" and then the username, this will tag the member that you're replying to. 

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