Airbnb host ignored messages and date change request, now we've lost deposit

ShareGuevara

We booked accommodation last year for Edinburgh this year (fringe festival). As Covid took hold we messaged the host early June to advise that the festival had been cancelled and enquire about our options. 3 weeks later she advised that we could cancel, I said that we like the place and would actually like to change dates, she said this was fine. The airbnb calendar would not let me rebook for the following year, I sent a further 2 messages to advise the host of this but she ignored me. I blocked the balancing payment from leaving my account because I had not heard anything from her, she cancelled the booking for non-payment of balance and now Airbnb are saying that she was right to do that, the deposit is lost, and there is nothing they can do.

It seems crazy that they can see the messages on their system back and forward (And how she ignored them) and insist there is nothing they can do. It seems that she deliberately ran down the clock knowing that we would lose our deposit. Do I have any recourse at all?

[Deleted User]

Seems right.  You have confirmation that you could rebook, so your money would have been protected in that regard, even if she was slow in responding.

Cancelling means you've lost the deposit.

[Deleted User]

Might be technically correct but seems harsh especially as the individual hosts do not have the excuse of thousands of people to sort out, so no reason she couldn't have answered your questions.   Did you try phoning as well as messaging?    I have always found the hosts to be most helpful and flexible, where they can.  I feel that this one hasn't been, even if she did say you could rebook next year.  She knew this from your messages so knew you weren't wanting to cancel full stop.   I don't know if there is anything legally you can do other than leave reviews everywhere of your experience with this particular place.    Not nice. 

Thrugelmir

ShareGuevara said:

It seems that she deliberately ran down the clock knowing that we would lose our deposit. 

The next Festival isn't until August 2021. Plenty of time to reschedule dates. 

Scottishgal87

They may not reschedule as may hold on taking bookings to get more money for those dates. (Went to book one for an event in London - which had just been announced, and went for approval from owner who said no it’s too far away. Next day checked and it was booked for for that exact date -guessing they got more money.)