Airbnb Host Describes Home Trashing as 'Violating' Experience
An Airbnb host, Leanne Duff from Plymouth, Devon, shared her distressing experience after her home was severely damaged during a party in April. She expressed feeling "violated" upon witnessing the destruction across every room, including her 13-year-old son's bedroom.
The incident left behind a trail of chaos: smeared food on the walls, removed and stacked internal doors, a smashed TV, and even her son's electric guitar with cut strings and torn toys. Despite police's inability to identify and charge anyone due to insufficient evidence, Airbnb took swift action. They removed the teen who booked the property from their platform and fully reimbursed Duff for the damages.
Duff, a seasoned Airbnb host with 200 positive reviews, had never encountered such an issue before. She discovered the damage when she noticed her window was wide open and cushions from her sofa strewn in the street. Upon entering, she was greeted by a scene of complete disarray.
She recalled, "I can only describe it as carnage. Doors had been torn off their hinges, food from my cupboards had been cooked and smeared on the walls, the TV was smashed, my clothes were torn, and my jewelry was scattered everywhere." Assessors estimated the damage to be worth £25,000.
Devon and Cornwall Police spoke to a 17-year-old girl who booked the property, but due to a lack of evidence, the matter was filed. Despite Airbnb's efficient handling of the case, Duff now feels nervous about potential guests' intentions. She has since implemented more stringent vetting procedures and is more selective with her bookings, no longer renting her home for single-night stays.
A spokesperson for Airbnb emphasized their strict policies against disruptive parties, stating, "We removed this guest from the platform for violating our policies and reimbursed the host. Issues like these are exceptionally rare, and we have a dedicated support line for any concerns."