Airbnb Tried to Steal $3,000 From Me… Here's How I Fought Back and Won

[Matthew Masoud]

Last year, I had a guest check in for a 5-week stay. Within hours, he messaged me complaining about a smoke smell. I acted fast—offered to send my cleaner with an ozone machine that same day. He declined. I still apologized and even asked the tenant in the next unit to stop smoking inside.

Then... radio silence.

Five weeks go by. No complaints. No issues. He checks out like normal. My cleaner goes in, all good.

Then the bomb drops.

I get an email from Airbnb—they canceled his reservation retroactively. Said he “didn’t stay due to smoke odor” and would be fully refunded. Not only that, but they were deducting the refund—over $3,000—from my future payouts.

I was stunned. Furious. The guy stayed the whole time! And now I was getting stiffed?

I tried calling Airbnb multiple times. Nothing. No explanation just the good old Airbnb runaround. 

So I did what every host should consider doing when they’re screwed over—I filed a small claims lawsuit.

Cost me $75.

Weeks go by. Then, right before our court date, Airbnb’s attorney calls me trying to settle for $500. I laughed. Not a chance.

We went back and forth and finally settled for $2,800. I got almost everything back.

Moral of the story: Don’t let Airbnb bully you. If you’ve been genuinely wronged, don’t be afraid to stand up and fight. Hosts need to know we do have rights—and sometimes it pays to push back.

[JD Martin]

Good job - did they throw you off the platform after that?