Additional / extra costs made by host

Additional / extra costs made by host

We have just returned from Cyprus. We have several issues with the property but we are currently trying to understand how our host wants to charge us 400 Euros for a 17 day stay. There was absolutely no guidance left in the property regarding how anything worked or expectations. 

 

The original listing did say we we would be charged for utilities.  There were no instructions at all how this would be calculated. There was no guidance as to what would incur high costs to help us manage this. We know the area, we know other people well and have discovered what kind of bills they pay. The figures quoted above are more like a 2 month period, not just over 2 weeks, even with the recent increase in prices. 

 

We were not given any meter reading when we moved in, we didn't meet our host officially until the day before we left. We presumed they would have clear evidence. Big mistake. We have received a list of figures that really mean nothing to us as we have begun to challenge their demand. They are now saying we should have asked more questions using Whatsapp and we are responsible for the extortionate figure above. 

 

The demand has been made in person. No invoice. 

 

What can we do?

2 Replies 2
Mike-And-Jane0
Level 10
England, United Kingdom

@Sofi1150 any demands not through the Airbnb resolution centre should be ignored. Do make sure you leave a fair review for the host.

@Sofi1150  I agree with @Mike-And-Jane0  -  keep all communication with the host on Airbnb messenger for the same of transparency. Any requests for compensation should go through the Resolution Center, so that an Airbnb rep can mediate. 

 

It's a fair point that you probably should have asked more questions about the utilities situation before booking, but the host seems disorganized at best. For what it's worth, Airbnb is almost certain to decide in your favor if a utility charge gets escalated to a dispute, so the host has no realistic way to get this money out of you.