Airbnb has come under fire for hidden cleaning and security fees, but hosts still add excessive rules to their properties — and some are so outlandish that people are ready to look elsewhere for rentals.
Such was the case for an anonymous renter who used Airbnb to rent a property in Montauk, New York, a fishing village at the end of The Hamptons known for its lively party scene and mix of local older generations and the city’s seasonal visitors that the city uses as an escape from city life.
Related: Airbnb announces ban on renting homes where slaves lived
In a TikTok posted to the aptly named @airbnbhorrorstory account, the renter documents a house that has one too many rules stuck in nearly every room of the house.
The video, which has more than 614,000 views, shows the man walking through the property and stopping every time there is a piece of white paper with different rules that are “a little bit crazy” for living in the house.
@airbnbhorrorstory No smoking. Okay. I understand. And maybe the toilet. I get weak tubes. But the rest are a little crazy. #airbnbtiktok #airbnbhost #airbnbexperience #airbnb #travel #traveltiktok #fyp #holiday #beach #vacation #weekendgataway #airbnbnightmare ♬ original sound – Airbnb Horror Story
“That’s just too much,” he says irritably. “Literally everywhere you go there is a sign.”
Rules displayed include (but probably not limited to) no smoking or vaping, spraying perfume/cologne/body oil inside the house (guests are asked to go outside to do so), hot showers limited to 8 minutes at most and you are required to leave the shower door open after showering to avoid mold.
Naturally, people in the comments section were amazed.
Related: ‘I’ve Heard You Loud and Clear’: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky Responds to Complaints About House Cleaning Jobs and Cost Transparency
“So many signs that this person definitely has a hidden camera somewhere,” one user mused.
“Enough signs to make you feel unwanted and nervous,” another pointed out.
Airbnb did not immediately respond of the businessman request for comment.
Last June, Airbnb imposed a permanent ban on house parties at any of its properties — something first tried in August 2020 amid social distancing and quarantine protocols during the pandemic.
“Disruptive parties and events will continue to be prohibited, including open-invitation gatherings. ‘Party House’ properties will also continue to be strictly prohibited,” the company said in a statement. “The policy will continue to include severe consequences for visitors who attempt to violate these rules, ranging from account suspension to complete removal from the platform.”
Airbnb was down a little more than 18% in a one-year period as of late Monday afternoon.