Response from the host:

Posted on Sat, 09 Sep 2023

This guest booked my apartment for the month of August. The group was to accommodate 5 persons only.

During his stay, I received only 1 complaint about a leaking shower head from the connection which I replaced with a brand new one within 24 hours of being notified. He did not raise any other issue during his 4 weeks stay whatsoever.

They left on the 29th August and Alex messaged me to say the group had departed the property leaving all sets keys to be collected. He went on to say that they were happy with their stay and would consider returning next year as the property suited their requirements.

However, when I arrived at the flat on the 31st August to do my final inspection, I noticed two broken blinds in two of the bedrooms, the sittingroom was being used to accommodate a 6th extra person and their was no attempt to moderately cleaned up afterwards despite Alex telling me that they had. Unfortunately, this review site does not allow me to upload photos as evidence as I have kept for my records and to dispel his complaints.

When I messaged the guest about these issues, he became very defensive and angry refusing to accept that they had broken the blinds, refusing to accept they never cleaned up but did accept that they had brought in a 6th person to stay at the apartment thus breaking the terms and conditions of the booking for 5 guests. I advised him that I would only be deducting 90 for the damage to the blinds to be replaced and will not in this instance charge for bringing in an additional guest. I felt under the circumstances this was very reasonable but the guest became very angry, threatened me with legal notices and will give me bad publicity and reviews. I think it was a matter of sour grapes and his way of deflecting from the real issues which I raised with him.

Regarding his issues he has raised, none of them were ever raised with me during his stay and this has come to me as a complete shock to the system and very disappointing suffice to say that I refute his assertions that the apartment was not clean. I had a cleaner come to the flat before their arrival to do the cleaning to ensure it was fit for purpose to stay. Secondly, the apartment, is registered with Edinburgh City Council as HMO compliant and therefore any health and safety issues have already been addressed.

This person is a dishonest individual who has not reflected the true experience of his stay. I am renting this property out for more than 10 years and have never had such complaints from guests.

Finally, food for thought, What guest leaves a 1 out of 5 review for cleanliness and yet is happy to come back for another stay next year, despite all he claims!