If I could have scored this host zero stars, I would have!
There was an unpleasant odour throughout the ground floor of the property. As such we decided we did not wish to stay. I had made the booking for myself and my parents who are both in their 80s. We returned the keys to the property host, within a few minutes of our arrival and explained our reason for not staying. The host was somewhat puzzled and surprised that there was an odour and recommended that we apply for a refund via the website.
Upon our return, we took the action recommended by the property host and messaged him requesting a refund.
After four days we had not received a reply, subsequently we sent the property host a text message requesting a reply. Quite frankly, we should not have bothered. The reply we received was unprofessional and offensive.
The host stated in his reply that he and his wife went back over to the house and that there was absolutely no smell. He also stated that they asked a neighbour to come into the house and the neighbour agreed there was no smell.
This was not as we found the property and some people's sense of smell is different and you can become accustomed to particular odours. We did not take offence at this, however we were paying guests of the host and his statement simply dismisses our experience of the property.
However what we did find offensive was that, the property host then went on to say in his reply that their assumption was that we lied about the unpleasant smell and because my father, who after a long car journey, needed assistance to enter the property, and in their assumption that he would not be able to climb the stairs. The host then states "...you should have booked a bungalow, all houses have stairs".
A totally unacceptable, unprofessional attitude displayed by the property host. Accuses my mother of being a liar. Shows discrimination against my father.
Important note: at no point did we go to the host and demand a refund. It was our decision not to stay at the property. It was the property host who first said we should apply for a refund and that is what we did. We then receive this reply, disgraceful.
My recommendation to any potential guest would be not to stay at this property or have any dealings with this host.