Traumatising Experience at Airbnb Accommodation

I would like to share my traumatic experience with this Airbnb host: https://www.airbnb.com/l/XXQt0beY

I am a healthcare worker who recently moved to Cape Town for work, and I rented this accommodation from July to mid-August. The place itself was beautiful, and I paid R12,000 for July and R8,500 until 22 August, along with a R1,500 security deposit and a R500 cleaning fee.

During my stay, I only used the apartment to sleep and go to work, often spending weekends at my sister’s home. On one occasion, I asked the host for permission for my son to stay over for his 21st birthday, which she approved. Unfortunately, some red wine spilled on the bedding. I immediately took responsibility, cleaned what I could, and sent the linen to an outside laundry service.

Despite this, the host escalated the situation, claiming I had breached the contract and house rules. She insisted on replacing all the linen, including an electric blanket that was still in working condition, and even brought in an expensive cleaning company for a small carpet stain. I was asked to vacate the property on the 12th of August, even though I had already paid until the 22nd.

This left me in an extremely vulnerable position financially and emotionally. I lost a significant amount of money—the only funds I had for survival. If it wasn’t for my sister giving me a place to stay, I don’t know what I would have done.

While the accommodation itself was beautiful, the way this situation was handled was deeply unfair and left me traumatised. I feel other guests should be aware of this experience before booking.