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The introduction of Airbnb disrupted and changed the hospitality industry in many positive ways. It started offering more authentic, convenient, and cheaper experiences for travelers and allowed homeowners to earn some extra income by renting out their unused space, from budget rooms or apartments to fancy villas. I’d say that’s a win-win for everyone.

However, as with most things in life, there are bound to be some disappointments or things that don’t particularly go to plan. From mushrooms growing in the bathroom door to extortionate cleaning fees and child-sized furniture, scroll down to find some of the strangest Airbnb conditions guests had to endure.

#1

I Feel Really Creeped Out, As I Didn't Notice It Earlier

I Feel Really Creeped Out, As I Didn't Notice It Earlier

ITimbrell Report

According to a 2021 study, a lot can go wrong when staying in an Airbnb. A data scientist, Asher Fergusson, collaborated with a few researchers to find out the problems that guests are most likely to face when staying at short-term rentals. 

The project even received funding from ASIS International, and over 2 and a half years the team used machine learning and natural language processing techniques to analyze X (previously Twitter) posts associated with guest complaints. 

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#6

A Cleaning Fee Just As Much As The Room Cost?

A Cleaning Fee Just As Much As The Room Cost?

BrendanLLM Report

“Our number one goal when starting out with this research was to find out what’s most likely to go wrong for Airbnb guests,” Fergusson said to Forbes Women.

In total, they analyzed over 127,183 posts published between January 1, 2015 and September 20, 2020 and broke them down into types. The results ranged from frustrating to dangerous.

#7

Over The Bathtub In My Airbnb

Over The Bathtub In My Airbnb

reddit.com Report

#8

I Found A Pair Of Handcuffs Attached To A Leg Of The Bed In My Airbnb In Tijuana

I Found A Pair Of Handcuffs Attached To A Leg Of The Bed In My Airbnb In Tijuana

pchandler45 Report

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#9

This Bedroom On Airbnb In A Place Called “Stabbin Cabin”. Sounds About Right

This Bedroom On Airbnb In A Place Called “Stabbin Cabin”. Sounds About Right

reddit.com Report

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Lesley Relph
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be scared something would fall on top of me if I moved about too much - or got out of bed in the dark to go to the bathroom

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“We found thousands of cases of account hacking with vacation dollars being stolen via fraudulent bookings as well as many other scams,” says Fergusson. “Then there were police interventions, bodily harm, threats, bug infestations, invasions of privacy via hidden cameras, long-term negative health impacts after the customer checked out of the Airbnb and so much more. Even in 2021, the amount of illegal, unsafe or fake listings on the platform is staggering—more than any of us probably realize.”

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#10

Airbnb Hosts Are Likely Selling The Audio Of Your Private Life

Airbnb Hosts Are Likely Selling The Audio Of Your Private Life

Anothercluelesshuman Report

#11

The Airbnb Has A Window From The Shower To The Living Room

The Airbnb Has A Window From The Shower To The Living Room

gorilagato Report

#12

Found An Interesting Airbnb In Waterloo

Found An Interesting Airbnb In Waterloo

fgyfddg Report

The report revealed that the most common problems were linked to customer service (72.2%), which provided limited support during emergencies or was rude or even unreachable. Scams made up 22.3% of complaints, from fake listings to hacked accounts. 10.4% of guests were left unsatisfied because the host cancelled their stay. 6.1% experienced unsafe conditions ranging from pest infestations to hidden cameras. While 3.7% of complaints reported discrimination against race and sexuality.

#13

At My Airbnb There’s A Mushroom Growing Out Of The Bathroom Door

At My Airbnb There’s A Mushroom Growing Out Of The Bathroom Door

sipicup Report

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Corvus
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Nooo, no mould at all! Ask the mushroom, if you don't believe me."

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#14

Just Saw This On Airbnb. What £2100 Per Month Gets You In Central London

Just Saw This On Airbnb. What £2100 Per Month Gets You In Central London

reddit.com Report

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arthbach
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do like the sink/loo combination. The water from the sink is used to flush the loo. The rest of the place, don't like it quite so much.

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#15

Air Quality Tests From My Airbnb Where The Host Claimed Not To Smell Any Mold. Support Refused My Refund

Air Quality Tests From My Airbnb Where The Host Claimed Not To Smell Any Mold. Support Refused My Refund

Dawg_Jacket Report

Ferguson published the report, saying that it was important that Airbnb users know what awaits them when they’re using the platform. “Countless Airbnb guest complaints we reviewed on Twitter suggested that the company is very good at circumventing responsibility,” he says. “Their customer service will often go silent or cite some obscure, confusingly worded terms of service when guests rightfully request refunds for services not rendered. It’s important for users to understand renting an Airbnb is not the same as booking a hotel.”

#16

Got An Airbnb Just For The Tub

Got An Airbnb Just For The Tub

LOTR_crew Report

#17

They Said There Was A Sea View At Our Airbnb

They Said There Was A Sea View At Our Airbnb

Boinator6000 Report

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arthbach
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's definitely a view of the sea - a very tiny view, more like a glimpse. Look at the left side of the table. Then go up passed the metal balcony railing, and up over the wooden fence. And that's where you will find a slim piece of light blue. That's the view.

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#18

Airbnb Wasn’t What We Were Expecting

Airbnb Wasn’t What We Were Expecting

pokemon-collector Report

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PFD
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet this was described as a child's room and they just didn't care because it was cheaper. Those chairs are visibly tiny (if they were full-size chairs, the bed would be about 4 metres long) and the bed even has rails to stop a child rolling out of bed. And now to be funny a large man is breaking a bed meant only to hold the weight of a 5-year-old.

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He believes that it’s easier to scam people with short-term rentals as they have little supervision as opposed to hotels. Reputable hospitality institutions are less likely to be massively deceiving people or constantly cancel reservations hours before guests have to arrive. Moreover, it’s rare to find a hotel that doesn’t have safety precautions like a smoke or carbon monoxide detector.

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#19

While My Family With Young Kids Were Staying At This Airbnb, An Old Man Walked Into The Backyard And Started Draining The Pool

While My Family With Young Kids Were Staying At This Airbnb, An Old Man Walked Into The Backyard And Started Draining The Pool

Particular-Bike-9275 Report

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Cookies
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A dirty or closed pool at any place a person stays should result in a discount. Everytime

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#20

The "Bathroom" In My Airbnb Will 100% Result In Encounters With The Host

The "Bathroom" In My Airbnb Will 100% Result In Encounters With The Host

TheInBredDragon Report

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Ritchat
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I saw this pic before in an article about real estate listings.

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#21

The Bathroom Door In My Airbnb Is Ineffective

The Bathroom Door In My Airbnb Is Ineffective

BrianPhares Report

In order to stay safe and protected, Ferguson recommends treating rental reviews as a mystery novel. This means reading between the lines what the previous guest has written, as most of them don’t express the negatives directly. In addition, he advises to never book a place with zero reviews. Instead, he says to aim for rentals with a 4.85-star review average or higher.

#22

Deadbolt, Mice, Leaking Ceiling, Roaches I Caught Everything On Camera. I've Messaged The Host But They're Not Responding And Calling Support Is Worse Than Useless So Here We Are

Deadbolt, Mice, Leaking Ceiling, Roaches I Caught Everything On Camera. I've Messaged The Host But They're Not Responding And Calling Support Is Worse Than Useless So Here We Are

SureAsMel , SureAsMel Report

#23

This Sink In Our Airbnb

This Sink In Our Airbnb

Ofeiven Report

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It’s also important to look at the hosts’s overall reviews, not just the listing’s. Be sure to reach out to the host before the stay and document anything that goes wrong or seems suspicious with video evidence. This helps to get a refund with less hassle. 

#25

Airbnb Host Tried To Charge Us For Changing Settings On A Thermostat

Airbnb Host Tried To Charge Us For Changing Settings On A Thermostat

ViberNaut Report

#26

When One Of The Troops Books An Airbnb Specifically For The Pool Table

When One Of The Troops Books An Airbnb Specifically For The Pool Table

BrianAshe1 Report

#28

Better Hope You Don’t Stab Yourself In The Shower Of This Airbnb Rental

Better Hope You Don’t Stab Yourself In The Shower Of This Airbnb Rental

BeyonceItAintSo Report

#29

I Booked An Airbnb A Year In Advance Of The Eclipse In April. The Host Yesterday Canceled Because They Realized They Could Make More Due To The Eclipse

I Booked An Airbnb A Year In Advance Of The Eclipse In April. The Host Yesterday Canceled Because They Realized They Could Make More Due To The Eclipse

lqkjsdfb Report

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Sue User
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"we cant always shoulder the responsibility ...Running a business doesnt operste this way ". They said the quiet part out loud.

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#30

Airbnb Host Tried To Double The Price

Airbnb Host Tried To Double The Price

atlasduck Report

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#31

Airbnb With “Motion Detector” Ring Camera Above A Full Length Mirror. $500 For Tampering With Or Unplugging It. Good Thing I Have Post-It Notes

Airbnb With “Motion Detector” Ring Camera Above A Full Length Mirror. $500 For Tampering With Or Unplugging It. Good Thing I Have Post-It Notes

briarpatch_ Report

#32

The Host Said That This Airbnb Is "Full Of Traditional And Modern Artwork." "Tastefully Decorated" And "Quirky Interesting Decor"

The Host Said That This Airbnb Is "Full Of Traditional And Modern Artwork." "Tastefully Decorated" And "Quirky Interesting Decor"

JeromeChandra Report

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Corvus
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't even begin to describe how "tasteful" this is. BTW, the rook close to the camera... is this supposed to be a rock from Afghanistan (reference to the caves OBL used to hide in)?

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#33

When You Rent An Airbnb In The Philippines, You Get Free Protein Every Morning. Glue Trap After 24 Hours

When You Rent An Airbnb In The Philippines, You Get Free Protein Every Morning. Glue Trap After 24 Hours

BtcKingIIII Report

#34

It Was Supposed To Be A Cozy Flat For A Couple And Now I Have To Stay Here For 3 Weeks Because No Other Option Is Available. All This Stuff Belongs To The Owner

It Was Supposed To Be A Cozy Flat For A Couple And Now I Have To Stay Here For 3 Weeks Because No Other Option Is Available. All This Stuff Belongs To The Owner

reddit.com Report

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MZ (she/they/he)
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From OP: More on this: So I am on a scholarship in Germany with my SO and we rented a single room with separate bathroom in a flat very close to my Institute. The description indicated that we can use the whole space, especially the kitchen and TV. So the room is, well, agreeable, not the cleanest but we can handle it - but the whole apartament is just a freaking joke. The owner is a stockbroker, seems a little bit off, he sleeps on a couch in the living room. He's German and he was trying to get me into a conversation about German invasion during II WW. We wanted to get a refund but then we realized that it's a waste of time, the procedure is long and we can live through it. But at least I can release my disappointment here.

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#35

Airbnb Host Asks This After A $350 Cleaning Fee While Being Asked To Strip All Sheets, Take Out All Trash And Run Dishwasher

Airbnb Host Asks This After A $350 Cleaning Fee While Being Asked To Strip All Sheets, Take Out All Trash And Run Dishwasher

inflexibleracoon Report

#37

My Airbnb Host Is Using T-Shirts As Pillowcases, And One Has A Body Odor Smell. I Guess I’ll Be Dreaming Of Sweaty Armpits Tonight

My Airbnb Host Is Using T-Shirts As Pillowcases, And One Has A Body Odor Smell. I Guess I’ll Be Dreaming Of Sweaty Armpits Tonight

Catholllic Report

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#39

The Airbnb I'm Staying In Says It's A Laundry Room, So I'll Be Wearing Dirty Clothes All Week Because I For Sure Won't Be Going There

The Airbnb I'm Staying In Says It's A Laundry Room, So I'll Be Wearing Dirty Clothes All Week Because I For Sure Won't Be Going There

SpaceSlingshot Report

#40

My Airbnb Assured Me They Have A “Very Safe” Baby Gate

My Airbnb Assured Me They Have A “Very Safe” Baby Gate

rakufman Report

#41

Mushrooms Growing In The Shower Of Our 5-Star-Rated Airbnb

Mushrooms Growing In The Shower Of Our 5-Star-Rated Airbnb

altum Report

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Corvus
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's an extra feature - "bits of wild nature in your bathroom."

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#42

There's A Mirror Screwed Into The Ceiling Above The Toilet In My Airbnb

There's A Mirror Screwed Into The Ceiling Above The Toilet In My Airbnb

Island_Living_ Report

#43

Dirty Floor At Airbnb “Is Typical And Not An Indicator Of Dirt”

Dirty Floor At Airbnb “Is Typical And Not An Indicator Of Dirt”

I’m posting to get some reactions to an experience I had at an Airbnb rental. I rented a place for my father and me to stay while he recovered from surgery, and I expected a high level of hygiene accordingly to keep him safe. I ended up spending hours after checking in cleaning (after I took an Uber to get cleaning supplies). The company representative was trying to tell me that it’s normal for the Swiffer wipes to appear "to be removing dirt." I’m pretty baffled by their response, as I know that floor was filthy. But could there be an element of truth to what they’re saying? Do some types of flooring give off color like that?

malijaa Report

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Jaaawn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, why would it? Flooring, especially laminate like that is a sealed thing.

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#45

Airbnb Description Said "Views Of The Main Church From The Bedroom Window." Technically, It Was Not A Lie

Airbnb Description Said "Views Of The Main Church From The Bedroom Window." Technically, It Was Not A Lie

reddit.com Report

#46

The Place I Found On Airbnb

The Place I Found On Airbnb

LumberjackAndOkay Report

#47

This Marbled Shower At An Airbnb I Stayed In. I Thought It Was Dirty And Tried To Scrub It Clean Until I Realized It Was "Supposed" To Look Like That

This Marbled Shower At An Airbnb I Stayed In. I Thought It Was Dirty And Tried To Scrub It Clean Until I Realized It Was "Supposed" To Look Like That

Finassar Report

#48

This Bathroom Tile At My Airbnb

This Bathroom Tile At My Airbnb

justtheju Report

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Savahax
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

won't claim that I never "knocked one out" in the shower but this is ridiculous

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#49

Well, The Airbnb Looked Nice Online

Well, The Airbnb Looked Nice Online

zeeboguy Report

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Carl Roberts
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

C'mon, BP. This is intentionally misleading. According to the original post, OP rented the main, normal sized, house, and this is a children's playhouse that was on the property, and he took the pic for fun.

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#50

Looking For An Airbnb In London. Did Someone Really Just Put A Bed In Their Bathroom?

Looking For An Airbnb In London. Did Someone Really Just Put A Bed In Their Bathroom?

king_fisher09 Report

Note: this post originally had 98 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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