I am emailing out of desperation and despair. I have travelled full time for the last two years and have spent a lot of that time living in Airbnbs. I have always received five-star reviews, have never had a complaint or caused any problems.
I travel as a single parent with my two children ages 1 and 9. I recently rented an apartment in Cancun for myself, my children, and my sister. My youngest child’s father (my ex-partner) visited my son for two consecutive days (staying at a nearby hostel).
On the second day there was an altercation between my ex and myself whereby I was assaulted outside a cafe in the town. Staff called the police and they attended the scene. They took away my ex-partner.
Later that day he came to my Airbnb wanting to talk. I refused. He came back later that night and when I would not let him in, he trespassed into the garden of my Airbnb. My host had a camera and saw these events. I called the host who — with my agreement — called the police in Mexico (I tried but I speak no Spanish).
The police arrived and asked me to sign a form which allowed them to arrest him and detain him for 36 hours. I did so. I explained to my host that I didn’t want to bring trouble to his home and offered to leave. He declined. He was friendly and appeared understanding.
Airbnb was informed of the trouble and they immediately asked me to leave. They would not accept that I was merely the victim and said that I had put the home at risk despite my ex not even being a guest. Asking me to leave without notice with two young children was unacceptable.
After two days I found an alternative hotel and left one day before my reservation expired. I have made copious calls and sent emails to Airbnb since and all I am told is that I have breached policy and that trust and safety have made the decision final to terminate my account.
I went to the British embassy in distress and they offered to speak to Airbnb to explain that I was a victim and that I had protected the home (please note there was no damage to the home). The police also offered to speak with them but Airbnb would not consider either.
Can you help me? If you look at my reviews you may see that my case at least deserves an investigation. Ironically my ex still had his account intact. I have enjoyed and relied on Airbnb for two years and feel as though I am being discriminated against for being the victim of a crime.
I beg you to look into this matter. I’m currently on my last night in a hotel in Mexico. I have always relied on Airbnb as I move every 1-3 months. Now I can’t find a place to go as I can’t continue to live in hotels. Tomorrow my two children and I have nowhere to go.
You are being discriminated against for being a victim.
Your ex should be banned.
This is the idiocy of Airbnb.
Please stop using Airbnb. They are not safe for you and your children.
Airbnb isn’t your problem. Your ex is. Airbnb is a platform where people let out their homes. I wouldn’t want your ex hanging around my home, so yes, you’d probably have to leave here, too. You are a victim, but you’re making everyone else a victim too by not dealing with your own problem.
I have also been banned after my ex assaulted me in an airbnb. It’s been a nightmare. I’m sorry to see that you are also going through this.
Your perspective is that you personally did nothing wrong, but you are now banned from Airbnb and want to continue using Airbnb as a guests.
Airbnb’s perspective is that your family (your ex) came to the listing you rented, was not authorized to be there, and had to be forcibly removed by police. They basically believe that having you stay in an Airbnb listing is a danger to Airbnb guests, Airbnb hosts and their property. I assume that you have to stay near your ex for legal reasons and the chances of this happening again is high.
I’m sorry you ended up homeless, but I don’t think Airbnb’s decision was wrong at all. In fact if hosts knew about this incident, most would reject your reservation anyway.
We were ripped off in Mexico also and Airbnb nor the host did anything to help us.
I sympathize with the OPs plight. But I agree with Airbnb on this one. The ex was not a registered guest and therefore was not authorized to be on the property. The fact that the police had to be called to the property did not help her case. Airbnb had a right to terminate the account. With that being said I recommend she look into what programs are available in her city or home town that can help her and your children secure permanent and affordable housing. Airbnb is not a safe or long-term option for families.
I would encourage you to set up accounts with VRBO and with Home Away and switch to using those platforms instead of Airbnb.
What a strange story. If you only had one more day to go on your reservation then I dont understand why you even contacted AirBnb. You said the host was understanding so who contacted Airbnb and to say what?
Also there are other websites besides Airbnb. Couch surfing, VRBO etc.
And how can we look at your reviews if your account has been terminated.
Sorry this makes no sense.
May I ask how a 9 year old managed to travel full-time with you? Is there an accredited international home schooling program he/she is in?
That is not even part of the womans situation si why ask that question. She is likely homeschooling as many choose to do.