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When Your Airbnb Turns Into a Disaster Zone
How do you cope with an Airbnb disaster?
Here’s how I plan to dodge the pitfalls and find better stays going forward!
I’ve been an Airbnb enthusiast for over a decade, taking full advantage of the unique opportunities for long-term accommodations and the living like a local experiences it offered.
But recently, the platform has morphed into something almost unrecognizable.
Between outrageous cleaning fees, unregulated listings, and a surge of unscrupulous hosts, even meticulously combing through five-star reviews and top-rated Superhosts, no longer guarantees a seamless stay.
Last year, I booked an Airbnb for a one-night stay. The accommodation was clean and looked exactly like the photos online.
So far, so good.
However, in the lot right next to the building, in fact, right behind my wall, there was an active construction site.
A bulldozer and an asphalt roller were laying out and pummeling rocks to create the foundation, and was literally shaking my room like an earthquake until 9:30 p.m!
My host had failed to notify me beforehand about this noisy activity.
This omission happened despite my usual habit of contacting hosts before booking to reconfirm the availability and inquire about any potential issues.
The host never mentioned the construction and, in fact, I never met the host at all since it was a self-check-in and they had several properties on the platform.
After spending almost half a day going back and forth with Airbnb, the best they could offer was a measly 7% discount on my next booking.
The time I spent dealing with this issue was worth far more than that measly discount!
Needless to say, this was my first bad experience with Airbnb, and I can only imagine the nightmare it would have been if I had booked the place for an entire month instead of just one night.
My latest strategy, born out of necessity and frustration, might just be the key to navigating this new Airbnb minefield.
Here’s the situation: I’m currently living in Saranda, Albania, a coastal gem where, as an American, I can stay for up to a year on a tourist visa.
But come June, I need to make my exit, leaving behind my affordable apartment that my landlord will rent out for quadruple the price to summer tourists.
So where do I go for the next three months?
The clock is ticking, and finding affordable, longer-term accommodations is a race against time.
Enter my new strategy: a blend of Booking.com and Airbnb, with a dash of on-the-ground investigation.
New Strategies
Strategy One
Book a one or two-night stay through Booking.com to get my bearings in a new location.
Once settled, I’ll start reaching out to Airbnb hosts in the area, setting up face-to-face meetings to inspect their properties.
This allows me to see the apartments firsthand, meet the landlords, and gauge whether the place matches its online allure.
It’s old school, sure, but in this era of AI and fake reviews, nothing beats the reliability of seeing a place, on the ground, for yourself.
Of course, this approach has its downsides. It costs extra money for those initial hotel stays and eats up precious time.
Plus, there’s always the risk that the best spots will be snapped up while I’m busy vetting options.
Which is why I’ve come up with a Strategy Two.
Strategy Two
Book a 1 or 2 week stay, and if I’m satisfied, book the rest of the month.
I could either do this through the platform or simply arrange it with the Host and pay cash.
This can save both the Host and myself money on the Airbnb fees.
Obviously there are risks to such arrangements to keep in mind.
In addition, I still risk the chance that the Host has already booked the place after my stay.
But, with 1–2 weeks, I have plenty of time “on the ground” to look for another accommodation and see it in person, etc.
Whereas, getting a hotel room longer than 1–2 days becomes more expensive and not worth the hassle.
But given the current state of Airbnb, this feels like the only way to ensure a decent stay.
For longer-term travelers like me, the alternatives are also limited. VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia even House-sitting offer some options, but they can’t match the variety and affordability of an Airbnb.
So, these new strategies, though imperfect, are my best bets for the time being.
Check Multiple Platforms
Expand your search beyond Airbnb. Platforms like VRBO, HomeAway, Booking.com and local rental agencies often have unique listings and better deals.
Comparing multiple sites helps find the best price and avoid reviews that are over 4–5 months old as well as inflated ratings.
Use Social Media
Join local expat groups on Facebook and Reddit.
These platforms are rich with rental opportunities, firsthand reviews, and advice. You can post inquiries about specific neighborhoods.
You can even write a post that you’re looking for a place.
Make sure you’re clear on exactly what you’re looking for, amenities, price, etc. This is how I found my current place and it’s worked out well.
Negotiate Directly with Hosts
After meeting hosts and seeing properties, negotiate terms face-to-face.
Discuss utilities, maintenance responsibilities, and any other concerns you might have.
This can lead to better rates and more flexible arrangements.
Personal rapport can make your stay more pleasant and ensure responsiveness from the host.
Look for Long-Term Discounts from Hotels
Many hotels offer discounts for long stays. Always ask about these options when discussing terms.
Direct communication can reveal unadvertised savings.
Be Wary of Red Flags
Hosts who are reluctant to answer questions, or listings with vague descriptions can be warning signs.
Hosts who avoid answering specific questions about the property might be hiding something.
Also beware of reviews that are over 4–5 months old.
Cross-reference reviews, click on the reviewer’s profiles to check their review history as well. But most of all, trust your instincts.
Document Everything
Take photos of the property upon arrival to document its condition.
Send these to the host via Airbnb’s messaging system to have a timestamped record.
This protects you from false claims and ensures the return of your security deposit or that your credit card won’t be charged.
Cultural Considerations
Understand Local Rental Customs
Each country has their own local rental practices, so find out what they are.
For example:
“Do you need a deposit?
Are utilities extra?”
To avoid issues learn how the local rental market operates to prevent being taken advantage of.
Again, you can use local expat Facebook groups to help guide you in this as well as a simple Google Search.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, Airbnb has gotten to the point where they are not as trustworthy and as dependable as they once were.
But considering the limited choices we have for longer-term accommodations, these are the strategies I’m going to employ in the future.
I’m curious to see what your opinions are.
- What are your experiences with Airbnb?
- Do you think this is a good strategy going forward?
- Do you have any alternative strategies I should consider trying?
Please leave your suggestions and comments in the comment section.
Let’s navigate this dumpster fire together!
David Peluchette is a Premium Ghostwriter/Travel and Tech Enthusiast. When David isn’t writing he enjoys traveling, learning new languages, fitness, hiking and going on long walks (did the 550 mile Camino de Santiago, not once but twice!), cooking, eating, reading and building niche websites with WordPress.