I Face Refund Refusal with Airbnb Unsafe Rental Full of Cockroaches and Electrical Hazards

I booked a vacation rental on Airbnb for August 18–25, with the refundable cancellation deadline set for August 11. Unfortunately, many of the property’s serious defects could only be discovered once we arrived on August 18 in the evening. The moment we entered, the electricity kept cutting out repeatedly, leaving us in complete darkness. The electrical sockets were dangerously exposed, including one directly above the stove, creating an obvious fire and safety hazard.

When we stepped outside to use the small garden area, we were shocked to find the place infested with cockroaches the size of fingers—crawling on walls, inside our shoes, and literally everywhere. On top of this, the property is right next to a forest but had no proper fencing or barriers, leaving us exposed to wild boars, foxes, and other animals freely roaming around the site. It was impossible to feel safe, especially with my family present.

We immediately packed our things, left the property at 11 p.m., and drove back to Istanbul, arriving at 4 a.m. for our own safety. I reported the situation to Airbnb support and requested a refund, as we could not risk staying in an unsafe and unsanitary environment. To my disappointment, Airbnb simply replied that their sales policies do not allow refunds, essentially protecting only the host while ignoring the guest’s right to basic safety and health standards.

I am demanding a full refund for this uninhabitable property and urging Airbnb to review its policies. Guests should never be forced to choose between their safety and their money. Airbnb must take immediate responsibility to protect customers from unsafe listings like this.