Hey everyone, first-time user here. Looking for a reality check on a post-checkout dispute I just went through :O
Our host requested $350 AUD after checkout for "smoke odor and extra cleaning," but the math and claims kept shifting:
The listing explicitly stated "Smoking permitted" with zero mention of "outdoors only" on the house rules or inside the house.
The request was submitted at 2:54 PM (under 5 hours post-10 AM checkout) claiming 5+ hours of extra work. In messages, he changed it to 7 hours of his own personal labor at $50/hr. He then said it is for today and tomorrow's cleaning.
When asked for an itemized breakdown or third-party cleaning receipts so I could assign the different fees to the different people (smokers/non smokers, person who spilt water on the carpet) he refused and got angry and I started to get really suspicious.
He then claimed we stole a large outdoor couch cushion and 2 cushions from inside. We flew in with minimal carry-on luggage—it’s physically impossible for us to have packed anything that is bulky.
The place wasn't pristine when we got there—one of us actually stepped on a piece of glass near the dining table upon arrival.
I declined the $350 request through the Resolution Centre, explained the situation in my private note to Airbnb, and the request was marked "closed" by Airbnb a minute later. I do not want to argue with the host.
Since I'm new to the platform, is it normal for hosts to try to charge $50/hr for their own personal labor without third-party receipts? Did I handle this the right way by declining? It all seems sketchy to me especially after him claiming we stole cushions.