ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A local AirBnB owner who charged a hefty $300 cleaning fee was said they felt “targeted” and “threatened” when their guest didn’t clean a single thing before checking out.
The incident occurred at a luxurious beachfront property in Lake Betoota, where holidaymakers often flock for a relaxing getaway in the cooler months. The owner, Sussan Thompson, had meticulously outlined in the rental agreement that guests were expected to leave the premises in a tidy condition, with specific instructions on how to clean and maintain the property.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Thompson, as she recounted the shocking discovery.
“I had charged such a modest cleaning fee because I expected guests to clean up after themselves. But when I entered the property after the guest’s departure, it looked like a pack of wild animals had set up camp!”
Thompson described finding dirty dishes piled in the sink, food crumbs scattered across the countertops, and used towels strewn across the bathroom floor. To make matters worse, the guest had left behind a half-eaten pizza box and empty beer bottles in the bin.
“I even found sand in the bed sheets, despite my clear instructions to shake off excess sand before entering the house,” said Thompson.
“It was a nightmare to clean up, and I had to get cleaners in to get the place back in order. They cost a fortune! And that was after I haggled them down from $150!”
As for the guest in question, their review on AirBnB mentioned nothing about the cleanliness of the property, leaving Thompson to wonder if they were oblivious to the mess they left behind or simply didn’t care.
More to come.
