Airbnb Hosts Share Their Horrible Guests Experiences That Almost Ruined Them

Airbnb can make travel cheaper for guests and bring in extra income for hosts, but it also opens the door to some truly awful surprises.

For every quiet, respectful stay, there seems to be another one that ends with damage, chaos, or a guest who treats someone else’s home like a free-for-all. These Reddit stories from Airbnb hosts show just how fast a simple booking can turn into a nightmare.

Some of these guests were careless, some were rude, and some were downright unbelievable. Read on.

1. Brute force…

“I used to travel a lot for work and I would put my apartment up on Airbnb while I was away.

My apartment has a bunch of closets and drawers which I used to leave empty and at my guests’ disposal. However there is ONE closet in the bedroom which I kept locked cause it is where I keep my personal belongings.

One time a guest left a bad review saying that the place had no storage space which I was very confused about until I got home and saw my closet.

Dude had tried to open it using brute force, the door was almost pulled off its hinges and the wood was chipped in some places. The door in question had TWO PADLOCKS, and the perfectly usable closet on the opposite wall was untouched.”

This one went from a bad review to actual damage fast.

2. Party time...

“Rented out to a group of 4 girls. Turns out they were going partying every day during their stay.

I get called one day at 5am, Its the guard from my building telling me there’s a passed out girl in the lobbys couch, puking and p*ssing herself. None of her friends had gone back to help her. Ruined the couch obviously.

The next day they send me a message again, another one of the girls had sprinted to the building stairs and ALSO p*ssed herself.”

3. Cameras are everywhere...

“A friend of mine rented to a girl who was convinced that there were cameras hidden all around the unit. She dismantled the lighting fixtures, picture frames, medicine cabinets, remote controls, etc.

This occurred in 2015.

They were live-in hosts renting out the main part of their home. She also de-potted plants, removed smoke detectors, hid all of the refrigerator magnets, and destroyed her cell phone.

They were compensated by Airbnb.”

That paranoia turned the whole place upside down.

4. Some people....

“I worked in a call center that handles some of Airbnb’s customer service. So, one guest murdered 2 people in the host’s home and got arrested there.

Another guest was from a culture that eats iguanas and barbecued up a 7 year old girl’s pet iguana to serve to the family as thanks for hosting him. Another guest filled a mug with human SH*T and left it in the host’s microwave.

You really lose all faith in humanity working in customer service call centers.”

5. How do their parents feel?

“I have two.

One dude stole my trimmer.

This other guy took the cake though. When I took him the second key to the apartment that his mother needed, he opened the door slightly ajar and only extended his hand, palm facing up, to receive the key. Didn’t want to shake my hand.

Sent me messages complaining to me that drawers in the bathroom were full of personal stuff (one was full of items that we purposefully leave for guests to use, including new pads, soaps, toothbrushes).

He was annoyed by this and said I’ll just move this to one of the bedside tables in the master bedroom shall I, which is also full anyway (there, we leave blocks and pens for guests to use, as well as reading material like the Economist or guides to the city). This also annoyed him.

He also complained about food that we leave for guests to partake of and be welcomed by. Upon leaving, guy leaves a massive, scathing review including hot takes like the linens and pots being worn out and needing replacement (they’re not and they don’t - they’re also top of the line), says the apartment was dirty upon entering (it wasn’t, it was thoroughly cleaned before his arrival, as it is before every guest’s arrival).

He concludes by complaining the taxi ripped him off (I’m guessing the insinuation is that I was in cahoots with the taxi company? I don’t know). His mother was nice though.

I often wonder how parents who give birth to f*cking idiots feel about said f*cking idiots....[truncated]

6. Crazy situation...

“My wife and I were hosts for about a year to make ends meet. We had just moved to a new town so she could attend grad school. Guests had full access to the second floor while we lived on the first. Met a lot of cool people and ended up getting super host status.

Last guests we ever had were an older couple that had traveled a lot. They seemed fine and we had a nice conversation and they seemed fine with the accommodations. Keep in mind up until this point we had never gotten less than 5 stars from dozens of guests.

Later that night I was at my job, bar-tending. Busy evening and home boy roles up saying he needs to talk with me outside. I hurry out trying to accommodate him and also get back to my busy shift.

He proceeds to lay into me at my place of work about how our space wasn’t up to Airbnb standards and they won’t be staying there and some friends found them another place to stay that night. I was confused but okay sure bud I’ll give you the full refund you’re asking for.

He goes on his way. We refund everything we had gotten from them. Airbnb did not refund the taxes and fees per their own terms and conditions.

I think his main complaint ended up being a spider web under the bed and that there wasn’t AC upstairs. Mountain town on the east coast of US in the summer. It was warm but there were fans and it wasn’t unbearable. I can understand why he’d want to stay somewhere else though.

Anyways we think it’s all behind us and my wife a...[truncated]

7. Raw meat

“My partner looks after an AirBnB for his friend..self catering only, the house is an 1800s big country house…it is used primarily for large get togethers and parties. Most guests are great and clean up well to get their deposit back.

A group stayed and left the place pretty messy. But we couldn’t figure out what the smell was. Turns out they left a full PIG in a rubbish bag under the kitchen table. They tried to cook a pig on a spit and basically left it’s mainly raw corpse under the table.

Every toilet was destroyed too. Must have eaten the semi charred meat on the outside of the pig when drinking without realizing that it was F*CKing RAaaw (sorry Gordon Ramsay).”

That’s like the friend who got tension after enforcing strict house rules, only for guests to break them.

8. No deposit...

“My mum did this. She had some people from out of country come stay.

They moved the furniture around, swapped and [moced] mattresses, left a massive pile of dishes in the kitchen, the bathroom was all buggered, and they must’ve been cooking and smashing clams or oysters shell in and around the bbq outside.

I went over to help my mum out a little after work for a bit, but it was a 2 day minimum cleanup job she had to do. Mum even had to bring in a cleaner lady to help as well.

Needless to say, the people who stayed didn't get their deposit back and got a file reported on them.”

9. Cat burglar...

“These ladies got locked out because all three didn’t bring any of the spare keys.

I had to leave a meeting since they demanded I let them inside. Since I left them all spares and my original, had to climb up two stories by building a makeshift Marv from Home Alone style stack of boxes and break in my own apartment to open the door from the inside for them.

They gave me my only negative rating out of about 20.”

10. Money is appealing.

“I know a girl that did it and guests broke her globe and glued it back together with all the wrong countries joined together. They also spilled a pint of water on the rug and just left it which made a big circle water mark on the wooden floor.

She was a bit fussy about hygiene so I was surprised that she didn’t mind loads of strangers doing all sorts in her bed.

It is baffling, clearly the lure of money is great for some people.”

11. Hiding from the police

“I used Airbnb to rent out a military camper truck I built.

I only had one guest and one horrible experience, I will never be a host again. The first guest was on bnb for a couple years and had a few reviews from hosts that were good.

Anyways, the guest forced open my RV gate, parked his vehicle in my backyard and then three more guests (only one guest was booked) and a dog (I had a no pet policy) proceed into my motor home. The next day comes and it’s time for them to leave, but they wont leave.

I had to sit outside the door and wait for them to get ready. They begged to stay but I had a very strong feeling something was wrong. Inside, I found very short straws with burnt ends and burned aluminum foil around the camper, I figured out that they were probably freebasing heroin. They also managed to completely fill up the gray water tank and black water tank.

Later, I found out that the rental car was most likely stolen and they were hiding it from the Police.

Airbnb was pathetic in the lack of customer support during the experience and after.”

12. Dried beer

“First time we hosted some high schoolers threw a party. The wood floors were covered in a layer of dried beer. Someone jumped from the top of the stairs landing on the couch and breaking it in two. Glass in the pool. Who knows what else.

Another time someone completely dismantled the surround sound speaker system and left a huge mess of tangled wires…just why?!”

13. Guests who just want to talk...

“I hosted for a few years (as a “super host”), and frankly I had lovely guests - very cool, intelligent, well traveled, interesting people from all over the world. They were all pretty tidy too and considerate.

The only annoying thing was people who talked way too much. Normally, people would exchange pleasantries and we’d chit chat for a bit, which is totally fine & welcome. But, every once in a while, I’d get a guest who talked nonstop from the time they got in until they went to bed.

The rental suite was fantastic - like its own separate apartment - fully stocked with everything I would want if I were a guest.

And yet, there were a few people who had to hang out on my floor and talk talk talk talk…

When I got an over talker, sometimes I would hide when I heard them coming, so they’d go ahead to their floor. Bc I just could not stand someone talking at me from 7 pm until 11pm."

Even the “nice” guests can wear a host down.

Research in hospitality psychology reveals that host-guest relationships are influenced by individual expectations and communication styles.

Studies show that mismatched expectations can lead to conflict, often exacerbated by the anonymity afforded in platforms like Airbnb.

Additionally, behavioral studies suggest that the stress of hosting can lead to heightened vigilance and anxiety among hosts.

The complex dynamics between hosts and guests play a crucial role in shaping the overall experience for both sides. As illustrated in the article, many Airbnb hosts have faced daunting challenges due to inconsiderate or disruptive guests. When hosts set expectations and boundaries, it can lead to a smoother interaction and potentially prevent misunderstandings.

Additionally, the emotional toll of hosting can be significant. Hosts sharing their distressing encounters underscored the need for self-care strategies. By prioritizing their well-being, hosts can better manage stress and cultivate a more positive atmosphere, ultimately leading to a more satisfying experience for everyone involved.

The Impact of Negative Experiences

Negative guest experiences can significantly affect hosts' mental health, often leading to feelings of anxiety and decreased self-esteem. Ongoing stress from toxic interactions can result in burnout, prompting hosts to withdraw from their rental activities altogether.

The harrowing stories shared by Airbnb hosts highlight the often-overlooked emotional strain that comes with welcoming guests into their homes. While the platform presents an opportunity for supplemental income, it can quickly turn sour when hosts encounter disrespectful or reckless guests. The article illustrates the importance of mental well-being for these hosts, who may find themselves grappling with frustration and anxiety in the face of such challenges. Many hosts may benefit from self-care techniques that can help mitigate the emotional fallout from difficult interactions. Moreover, by connecting with other hosts and exchanging experiences, a sense of community can emerge. This camaraderie not only supports individual hosts in coping with the ups and downs of hosting but also enriches the overall experience, transforming potential turmoil into shared resilience. In navigating these tumultuous waters, effective communication and emotional regulation remain indispensable tools for hosts striving to maintain their sanity amidst chaotic encounters.

Want the same “guests trashed my place, then demanded I pay” energy? Read this AITA where friends trashed a budget apartment and expected surprise visit costs split.