Homeowner Flips Out After Redditor Asks Airbnb For A Refund Because Pool In Their Rented Place Stopped Working

A 28-year-old woman booked an Airbnb for two weeks so her family could escape the cold, and the pool was the whole point. The listing promised a place where everyone could swim, relax, and actually enjoy the warm-weather escape.

Everything was fine at first, then on day four the pool broke. Within hours, the water went from “vacation” to “gross,” and OP spent three straight days contacting Airbnb assistance while the problem stayed unsolved.

When OP finally asked for a partial refund, the host’s reaction turned a maintenance issue into a full-on blowup.

Here's the sitch:

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Eager to escape the cold winter, OP and their family rent an Airbnb in a warm state for two weeks. They were particular about renting one with a pool since they all wanted to swim.

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The pool was great at the beginning of their stay, but on the fourth day, it broke down, and the water became as filthy as it could get within the span of 14 hours. OP contacted Airbnb assistance for three days, but the pool situation was still not resolved.

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In situations where economic stressors are involved, as seen in this case, emotional responses can escalate rapidly. Feelings of fear and anger can manifest as defensive aggression when individuals perceive their livelihoods as threatened.

When an Airbnb host feels that a refund request threatens their financial stability, they may react with heightened defensiveness, projecting their anxiety onto the guest. This often leads to a breakdown in communication, where logical discourse gives way to emotional outbursts.

Since Airbnb assistance has not been able to fix the pool, OP requested a partial refund and filed a report with Airbnb. However, instead of receiving half the refund, the company returned the full amount. The owner contacted OP on a private number, freaked out, and blamed them for “taking food out of his children’s mouths,” since the owner probably wasn’t paid anything due to the refund.

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The whole situation was not just about the pool. Many other issues and inconveniences were screaming red flags, and the pool was just the tipping point of it all.

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Here's what people have to say:

OP was not able to use the amenity she paid for. If this is a source of income, the owners should make an effort to improve their space.

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OP’s family watched the pool go from working to filthy by day four, and Airbnb support still couldn’t get it fixed in time.

Research published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology indicates that when people feel cornered, they often lash out in self-preservation, intensifying the conflict instead of resolving it.

Understanding these dynamics can help both parties navigate the interaction more effectively.

The owner, as well as the friend who sided with the owner, are the assholes. In this business, everything must be thought out, especially since this is a service product.

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It can be hard to rely on Airbnbs, according to this commenter. Just hope that they advertise what they have, not just because they want to clickbait potential customers.

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Cases like OP’s—where the company actually takes action—are rare. Booking an Airbnb is basically a gamble: either you put up with the amenities or find hidden cameras in the bathrooms.

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After three days of back-and-forth, OP requested a partial refund because they paid specifically for the pool amenity.

Effective communication can be a game changer in resolving conflicts.

This Redditor had their fair share of bad Airbnb experiences.

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However, they had used a rental company to book a condo—something went wrong, but the company made up for it by moving them to a better location!

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Something went south with the booking. The refund was no longer OP’s problem, but the full refund would probably lead to the owners battling OP in court.

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Research indicates that using 'I' statements can help express feelings without assigning blame.

This also echoes the AITA fight where my friend invited extra guests, then refused to split the vacation rental costs equally.

They said the pool was a feature, but it didn’t last for OP’s whole stay. OP rightfully deserved the refund.

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It wasn’t anyone’s fault that the pool broke down.

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However, the lack of communication was a significant part of the issue.

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Airbnb then refunded the full amount, which is when the owner snapped, called OP from a private number, and accused her of stealing from his kids.

The recent incident involving a homeowner's reaction to a refund request over a non-functioning pool underscores the emotional volatility often present in vacation rental scenarios. When guests invest their time and money into a getaway, any disruption—such as a broken pool—can trigger intense emotions and lead to conflict. In moments like these, employing coping strategies becomes essential. Simple techniques such as deep breathing or pausing before responding can help both parties navigate the situation more calmly. This approach allows individuals to regain composure and think more clearly, which is crucial when tensions are high. The ability to reflect before reacting can transform a potentially explosive exchange into a more constructive dialogue, ultimately benefiting both the homeowner and the guest. Such strategies could have significantly altered the tone of the interaction in this case, emphasizing the need for emotional regulation in high-stress circumstances.

Not the asshole, but go and move somewhere nice. A suggestion: maybe a nice hotel with a pool.

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The family should go and enjoy the second and last week of their vacation. The full refund will most likely help them find somewhere better to stay.

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It’s actually quite the opposite—the owner of the listing is, in fact, the one taking money from OP. After all, OP’s main requirement in booking a place was the pool.

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OP complained about the pool not working, and they didn’t do anything about it. For something that’s the only source of income, they’re being pretty careless.

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They are basically lazy. The owners couldn’t care less about sorting out the issue with their property.

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It’s all just business. “Why pay for something you don’t get?”

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This sort of mentality of keeping silent is kind of unfair. After all, OP worked hard for the money she earned to rent a nice place for her family.

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It’s a wonder why OP’s friend sided with the other party. Nevertheless, this Redditor is waiting for OP to write their savage Airbnb review!

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With the host blaming OP for “food out of his children’s mouths,” the pool complaint turned into an all-out relationship disaster between strangers.

In conclusion, you are responsible for what you advertise. People pay for the things listed on their booking, and if the place does not have them, they are entitled to complain and maybe ask for compensation.

Some customers only ask for half of a refund, if lucky. In this case, however, the company took matters into its own hands, and the property owner just had to accept their fate.

Do you think OP was an asshole in this situation? Comment below, and don’t forget to share this with your family and friends to see if they would accept the full refund!

Analyzing the situation between the homeowner and the disgruntled Airbnb guest reveals the complex dynamics at play. When a guest's vacation is disrupted by a malfunctioning pool, it can lead to frustration and demands for refunds, as seen in this case. Both parties would benefit from a more compassionate approach, allowing for a dialogue that acknowledges the guest's disappointment while also considering the homeowner's perspective. This could lead to more satisfactory outcomes for everyone involved, reinforcing the idea that understanding each other's positions is crucial in the realm of short-term rentals.

Nobody wants to pay for a pool they can’t use, then get screamed at for the refund.

Before you blame Airbnb alone, read how one AITA poster handled friends who trashed the vacation rental.