u/InternationalDiary

Hi everyone,

For context, I moved to a different state for a summer internship and I had booked an airbnb well in advance (~ 4 months before my move in) for a stay of 2.5 months and put in my deposit and I'm paying $2,500/month in the Alanta area with the money coming from a scholarship I have from my home country.

I chose the place due to its proximity to a bus stop which connects to my office and if it matters, I'm an international student and this is my first time using an AirBnB.

I moved in June and all was good for the first month, but as soon as I made my second payment, the owner (who also lives in the property) started making mountains out of molehills and falsely accusing me of things such as:

1. Food smelling in the kitchen: Told me I am no longer allowed to dump my washed disposable plates in the kitchen trashcan and should rather put it in my room's provided trashcan and then take it to dispose whenever possible as allegedly I'm causing her kitchen to smell. For context, I just eat microwave food and clean my container before discarding whereas I have seen her just leave her lunchboxes with leftover food just laying in the kitchen. Also my room is right in front of the kitchen so when she makes her food, the fumes go into my room but I have never complained about it.
2. Told me to clean up the stove as there was "leftovers" there: I have NEVER used any kitchen appliance besides the microwave as that is all I need.
3. Tells me to keep my laundry in check: I do my laundry (1 load) usually once a week and sometimes twice a week. Was informed that the waterbills have gone up since last month (when I moved in) - if I'm paying $2,500/month, minor utility costs are the least of my worries.
4. The host constantly tells "This is my home" - sure it is, I never said it wasn't. But it's also a property listed on AirBnB.
5. There was stains in the kitchen sink and I took a picture of it. Host later asked me why I didnt clean it properly after using it. I told her I took a picture beforehand that it was there before me. There's lint in the dryer too and she made a fuss one time when I had forgotten to remove it, but last two times it has been full. Also told her I had a picture of it. Then proceeds to text me saying "Don't go taking pics in my home, that is invasion of privacy" - like what can I even do to protect myself from these accusations?
6. The biggest red flag - the owner had me specifically sign a rental agreement which says I wont talk about the property being listed on AirBnB to the leasing company which makes me feel what she's doing is illegal. Also did I tell you, she has me order anything off Amazon in her name as otherwise I dont get the package?

I already paid my second chunk of payment and I doubt AirBnB would refund anything now, also the fact that I would have to find a new place quickly when I've already moved in with a bunch of stuff in the start of the previous month when all was good.

I also know the rent for the entire place is less than what I pay, so it's infuriating to know that she's complaining about the tiniest of things and falsely accusing me of stuff and I'm not sure if it's due to some amount of inherent racism.

The owner had generally positive reviews from their other properties (is a superhost) so I assumed they'd be a decent person to stay with for a bit but I was so wrong.

I'm not sure if it matters, but I overheard her saying her kid will move into my room once I'm gone so I'm not sure if she's intentionally starting stuff.

Most of the communication she's doing is via text and not the AirBnB messaging or F2F. I have screenshots of all our conversations, especially her hostile attitude.