Airbnb: The 10 Worst Problems (& How To Solve Them)

Although Airbnb has become an incredibly popular company, both for people that are traveling to a new place and for people that want to rent out their homes, not many people think about the potential issues that could arise while you're staying in an Airbnb. It's convenient and a good way to feel at home while on your trip, but it's important to be prepared for any potential problems.

Many people won't have any problems in their Airbnb, which is great! But the fact that problems are slightly less common than having a great host and great experience doesn't mean that you shouldn't be ready for anything that might come up. To see 10 problems you can run into when staying in an Airbnb, keep reading!

10 The Place Isn't What You Expected

Airbnb hosts typically take really nice photos of the listing, so you know exactly what to expect when you get there and check in for your trip. But what if you arrive at your Airbnb and it's not exactly what you were expecting?

Luckily, Airbnb does have a refund policy in place for visitors. But, there has to be something majorly wrong with your Airbnb for you to be able to take advantage of it. Fewer bedrooms than disclosed on the listing or a generally unclean space are things that visitors can report and get a refund.

9 You Can't Stay There

No matter how much research you do into the Airbnb you choose, there might end up being something that comes up when you get there that causes you to rethink your stay. From a dirty Airbnb to something that the host neglected to mention in the listing, there are a lot of things that can make you want to get a new place.

So, what should you do if there's something in your Airbnb that you just can't deal with? Definitely reach out to Airbnb as soon as you decide you can't stay there. Take some pictures of exactly what the issue is to make sure that Airbnb can see exactly why you need a refund.

8 You Got Locked Out

Getting locked out is totally a nightmare, no matter where you are! Luckily, if you're staying in an Airbnb and lose your key, you're not going to be stuck finding a hotel to stay in.

Just send your Airbnb host a quick message and let them know that you misplaced your key or accidentally left it inside. It may be a little while before you get a reply, depending on where your host is and what they're doing, so be patient and just try to hang out for a while. They likely have a spare key hidden somewhere and will tell you where to find it. But, be aware that they may charge you an extra fee if the key doesn't turn up.

7 There Was A Last-Minute Cancellation

Some hosts rent out their own homes when they're not there for people to stay in. If this is the case and your host has a change of plans, they might end up needing their place back and that could put you out of the Airbnb that you rented.

Luckily, if there's a last-minute change of plans and you're left trying to find somewhere else to stay, Airbnb has got your back. Just log in to the Airbnb website and request a refund. Airbnb will either give you a full refund or put the money toward the rental of a new place.

6 You Don't Get Along With The Host

For many visitors, the Airbnb host isn't really someone that you're going to be dealing with too much. But, if you're only renting part of the place or you're renting a guesthouse on the property, you might be in closer contact with your host than situations where you rent an entire home.

If this is the case and you're just finding it impossible to get along with your host, you might be able to reach out to Airbnb for help. But, keep in mind that you need an actual reason to have a problem with them. If you simply don't like the music they play while they cook, Airbnb isn't going to be much help for you.

5 ...Or The Other Guests

If you're renting part of a home, there might be another Airbnb guest renting another room. If this is the case, you might find yourself sharing a bathroom or other Airbnb amenities with another guest. Although this is something that won't happen if you rent the entire home, it's still important to know how to handle a situation like this.

If you're forced to share the place with another guest and you're finding it impossible to get along with them, try communicating with them. Discuss your plans for your trip and try to find a way to make sure that the time you'll be spending in close quarters won't line up. If they behave in a truly offensive way, try talking to the host.

4 You Got An Unfair Review

Airbnb is a really nice app because of the fact that there are reviews. Before you choose to shell out some cash to rent a place, you can check the reviews that past guests have left. Is the host really friendly and has the WiFi password hanging on the wall where it's easy to see? Or were they rude and didn't allow a guest to check in until really late at night? The reviews will tell you what to expect!

But, hosts can also leave reviews for guests. And if you think you were a pretty good and courteous guest but still got a bad review, you might be feeling a little irritated. If you disagree with the host's review, you've got 30 days to write a public response under it and share your side of the story.

3 Your Airbnb Is Illegal

An illegal Airbnb? Although this sounds fake, it's actually entirely possible. And if your host is caught renting their place out illegally, they could get in big trouble and you might find yourself out of a place to stay - but don't worry, you likely won't take any of the legal heat.

How do you know if your Airbnb is illegal? Do some research before you rent a place on the local laws about Airbnb listings. If you're renting an apartment in some cities, you could be renting an illegal Airbnb. The best way to handle this issue is to not run into it in the first place. Do your research!

2 The Locals Don't Like Airbnb

Airbnb is wonderful for travelers, but what do the locals think of it? Well, that depends on where you're staying. In some cities, Airbnb has actually done a lot of damage to the local economy and way of life for the local citizens. Citizens have been evicted so their apartment could be turned into an Airbnb or have their daily life disrupted by tourists.

Some locals put up signs on their doors if they're in an Airbnb-heavy location warning that they're not friendly to tourists. Signs proclaim that they're not travel agents and have no interest in helping tourists out. What should you do in this case? Well, if it's too late to get a hotel instead, just try to be courteous of the locals and be understanding of their attitudes.

1 They Add Extra Fees

Along with the standard fee to rent an Airbnb that you see on the listing page, there are also some other fees that hosts may add on to your stay. Typically, these fees are lined out in the listing's description or will be communicated to you when you book the Airbnb.

But, some Airbnb hosts may add additional fees after you check out. You can reach out to Airbnb to get a refund if you feel they're unfair. But the best way to avoid this issue is to discuss any potential cleaning fees with the host.

Next: 10 Things To Look Out For When Booking An Airbnb