10 March 2024 , 12:00
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A couple's staycation quickly descended into chaos when they realised just how filthy their Airbnb was.
Recording studio owner Forbes Coleman and his girlfriend forked out £145 for three nights in a flat in Stirchley, Brimingham, so they could hunt out houses in the local area. Originally from Brighton, the couple were left fuming after inspecting the accommodation, which was riddled with stains, hair, and dirt.
The pair spent a fortnight arguing with Airbnb after demanding a refund, a request they say was only granted when Birmingham Live contacted the company. Forbes, and his psychotherapist partner couldn't even last an hour in the flat - and it's easy to see why.
The couple say they found a stain on the bedroom carpet, amongst other issues (Birmingham Live WS)Back in 2020 when renting the Airbnb apartment, Forbes said: "We got to the flat, thought it was clean and simple, dumped our bags and headed out for our first viewing. It was only when we came back and sat down that we noticed the place was actually disgustingly filthy.
"When we pulled back the duvet in the bedroom there were a couple of hair and a chewing gum stain on the carpet. In the kitchen there was grime on the hob and in the fridge we found a half-eaten loaf of bread and an opened carton of milk that was out of date. We went in the bathroom and there were hairs in the shower tray, and there was damp and mould in places. It was just a grimy grubby little flat."
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Forbes says they also found hairs in the bed (Birmingham Live WS)The couple said they contacted Airbnb for a refund shortly after leaving, but claimed the company initially blamed them for the condition of the flat. Forbes said: "They accused me of putting hairs in the bed - I'm bald - and of planting out of date milk, but we're vegan. Somehow they also claimed that the damp and mould in the property is my fault, when it was a years old problem that needs proper building work to fix.
"They refused to refund me and the host has convinced them that I made the mess in his disgusting flat despite 22 photos of evidence. We were reluctant to travel during a pandemic to a city which was on the watch list for a local lockdown. And then we turn up to an uncleaned apartment - we couldn't believe it." After the company was contacted by Birmingham Live, the couple received a refund.
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Forbes Coleman and his girlfriend were relocating to Birmingham (Birmingham Live WS)A spokesman for Airbnb said at the time they had refunded Mr Coleman in full and had taken "appropriate action" with the owner of the flat. "We were disappointed to learn about this experience, have reached out to the guest to help make things right and the listing has been suspended from the platform," they added.
"With more than 750 million guest arrivals on Airbnb to date, isolated issues are rare and in the event they do happen, we advice guests to contact the host and give them a chance to address the concern. Our global community support team is on hand 24/7. Our Guest Guarantee means that if a guest checks into a listing that does not meet our accuracy or quality standards, we will rebook them or offer 100 per cent of their money back."
Would you stay in a flat like this? Let us know in the comments section below