ByHow To File Airbnb Complaints and Get Compensation for Canceled or Poor Accommodation
Airbnb is a huge hit among travelers who are looking for a quick and easy way to find affordable accommodation that proved to be a hassle-free alternative to staying at an expensive hotel.
However, not every stay goes according to plan, which is reflected in the increasing number of complaints about Airbnb in the past years. There are some people who have been completely ripped off by Airbnb rentals because they never got the rental they paid for.
Another common issue with Airbnb is that hosts tend to cancel the reservations at the last minute, leaving the travelers stranded or forced to spend the night at a hotel.
If you’ve had any of these problems with Airbnb, we’ll show you how to file an Airbnb complaint and get compensation for your troubles.
How To Complain To Airbnb
If you are wondering how to file a complaint with Airbnb, the first thing you need to do after a bad experience is to make it clear that you are not happy with the service by filing a complaint.
There are several ways to file Airbnb host complaints:
- Via the website
- Through the company’s customer service
Send Airbnb Complaints Through the Website
The easiest one being by sending them a message through the contact form on Airbnb's website.
First, you have to sign in to your Airbnb account and go to your inbox. Then, click on the “message our hosts” button and write a short message explaining why you want to file Airbnb host complaints. Make sure you specify the reason for your complaint and be as detailed and descriptive as possible in your message.
If possible, attach some photos of the place and explain what went wrong with your accommodation or reservation. If you were forced to stay at a hotel and paid for a reservation that was canceled last minute, explain the reason in detail and state the amount of money you are claiming from the host.
Once you put the complaint together, click “send” and wait for Airbnb to contact you with more information. You can expect a reply from the company within 24 hours.
How to Complain to Airbnb Using Customer Support
Alternatively, you can call Airbnb's customer support at 1-844-234-2500 if you've had issues with your stay or the company as a whole. The customer support representatives can help you find a solution to your problem or give suggestions on how to get in touch with the right department at Airbnb.
| How To Reach Airbnb’s Customer Support | |
|---|---|
| Website | Contact Us and Help Center |
| Phone | 1-844-234-2500 |
| N/A | |
| Airbnb Help | |
How To Complain About Airbnb
If you can't get a satisfactory resolution after contacting the company, you can file Airbnb customer complaints with one of the following agencies:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
How To File a Complaint Against Airbnb With the BBB
If you have a bad experience with Airbnb, you can file a BBB complaint and help other travelers avoid the same issue. Keep in mind that the BBB isn’t an enforcement agency, meaning that they cannot make Airbnb give you a refund, but they can help mediate the dispute between you and the company.
The process of filing a complaint with the US BBB is pretty easy and straightforward—visit the BBB's website, choose the option to file a complaint against a business, and follow the prompts on your screen.
How To File a Complaint Against Airbnb With the DFEH
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is an agency that ensures that people are not being treated unfairly in the workplace. It also promotes fair housing throughout California. Each year, the DFEH receives thousands of complaints against real estate management companies and other rental agencies, including Airbnb.
To file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, you should visit the agency’s website and follow the instructions laid out on their File a Complaint page.
How To File a Complaint Against Airbnb With the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the agency responsible for protecting consumers against fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. If you've booked a room through Airbnb but never got it, or if the room turned out to be totally different from the one seen in the pictures, then you can report your experience to the FTC.
The FTC has an online complaint form where you can provide as many details about your experience as possible. You can visit the FTC’s Report Fraud webpage to file an official complaint against Airbnb.
How To Send Demand Letters To Airbnb in Small Claims Court
If you've tried to resolve your issue with the company, as well as by filing an official complaint with one of the agencies listed above, but Airbnb refuses to cooperate, you can file a lawsuit against the company and its employees in small claims court.
If you are going to file a complaint in small claims court, make sure you collect as much evidence as possible. Compile all the email correspondence between yourself and Airbnb, along with correspondence between you and the host and the pictures of your accommodation before and after your stay, if applicable.
To start the process, you must first create a demand letter and serve it to the company. The demand letter must include the following information:
- Your full name and address
- The amount of money you are requesting from the company
- The total amount in damages you are seeking, if any
- A deadline for Airbnb to respond (usually 30 days)
- Requesting that the company provide evidence of payment for your stay (if applicable)
It is recommended that you also send a copy of the demand letter to the host or Airbnb, so they are aware that your complaint has been filed. They will have 15 days to respond to your demand letter and propose a resolution to your complaint.
If the company doesn't respond or rejects your offer, you can proceed to take the case to a local small claims court. Depending on where you live, you might be able to file the claim using the court's online form or might be required to visit the court in person and file the lawsuit with the court's clerk.
With DoNotPay, You Can Send Demand Letters To Airbnb in Small Claims Court Hassle-Free
Filing a lawsuit against a company can get complicated, and finding and hiring a lawyer to handle your case is both time-consuming and expensive. You might be asking yourself, is it all worth the trouble?
But worry not, because DoNotPay is here to make the process as quick and painless for you as possible! With our app, you won’t need to spend weeks on drafting the lawsuit or to hire a lawyer to take care of all the documents and procedures. Instead, you can answer our bot’s questions and let us handle the rest.
Here’s all you need to do:
- and search for the Complaint Letters product
- State how much money the company owes you, if applicable
- Pick a reason for the lawsuit from the menu
- Answer several short questions
- Add any evidence that will be helpful in building your case
Our app will send a demand letter to Airbnb on your behalf. If the company does not respond, we will help you take them to small claims court and get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Need More Help With Airbnb Issues? Get an Airbnb Refund or Check Your Airbnb Gift Card Balance
Take advantage of the DoNotPay vast Learning Center if you want to check your Airbnb gift card balance. It is easy and fast!
If you are looking for a refund, learn everything you need to know about Airbnb Refund Policy in our huge guide. Or, check out how to request an Airbnb service fee refund.
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