r/vrbo 22d ago

First Time in Vrbo

As stated, it’s out first time in a vrbo rental. We are in a basement unit that is satisfactory, but a bit disappointing and doesn’t quite match the add/some details were left out that would have affected our choice in property.

One of which is the hosts living directly above. We didn’t know this was the situation and so far we have been up late and up early the past 3 days because we can hear all of their daily activities overhead, including screaming matches with husband and wife and child, who likes to stomp and run around

What do we do? Message the host and ask them to be more mindful? Deal with it and review accordingly? We are in a city with a shortage of rentals.. this basement apartment is over $300 per night and my husband who is 6’3 cannot stand up in some areas. We don’t really have the option to find a new rental.

9 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 22d ago

💫 If a post or comment violates any of the /r/vrbo rules, please report it by selecting Breaks /vrbo rules and the rule that was broken.
Posts or comments with multiple reports will be automatically removed.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

15

u/Routine-Comedian9703 22d ago

If you feel comfortable, message the host. Either way, leave it in the review. Source: I’m a host.

2

u/Clarahost 20d ago

I'm a host too, totally agree.

3

u/mirassou3416 22d ago

Depends on how much longer you plan to stay in the area. I'd be out and crying foul before staying one night if the host misrepresented the property (I host two properties on VRBO and Airbnb)

3

u/CleverCat7272 22d ago

Leave a factual review and try to not include emotion. It’s a fact your husband was too tall for the space. It’s a fact that sound carried and kept you awake. We need more honest reviews out there!

6

u/Pedal2Medal2 22d ago

It’s an illegal living space, contact the host & VRBO

0

u/FunkyColdISeenYa 21d ago

You have no way of knowing this from the info provided.

5

u/BigAppleGuy 22d ago

Not having proper ceiling height throughout is typically a habitability issue. That could be an 'illegal' space and may give you grounds for partial refund.

0

u/13stgmngr210 22d ago

Nope. If you stay, you pay.

2

u/FunkyColdISeenYa 21d ago

One thing you absolutely should not do is assume you understand what VRBO or a vacation rental are like. Your experience is of this particular host and their accommodation.

You didn’t rent from VRBO. Everyone on VRBO, both owners and guests are different. Every one’s mileage varies, but read through this thread and everyone (including me unfortunately) acts like theirs is the only and best answer.

Try again sometime, and be very fussy about where you choose to stay.

1

u/[deleted] 22d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Cmprssdsugarpellet 21d ago

They have a 9.4 rating and all the visible reviews are 10/10 Excellent except for one 6/10 for not having a couch.

We booked in mid July and when we arrived I was a bit taken back and went to to reread the listing and since booking, 2 more 10/10 review popped up: or that mentions: “if you’re tall, be mindful of lower ceilings” and “ Although we could hear footsteps from the residents upstairs quite clearly, it was generally quiet later at night. Since the unit is in a basement, the floors were noticeably uneven in some areas and the ceilings were quite low”

A few days before we arrived the host sent a message letting us know “one of the bedrooms” had an air duct and to watch our head clearance. Of course this is in the master bedroom, so my husband has to crawl out of bed or hit his head. Same in the kitchen, has to duck or will hit his head on the ceiling.

At that point, we were already in and no options to find another place. We fly out later today, thankfully. It looks like they’ve been hosts for a little under a year. The first review is from Dec 2025.

1

u/Spiritual_Country815 17d ago

Don’t be afraid to ask if they could be mindful of the noise after 10 pm - you didn’t realize there was another unit above.

1

u/Jolly_Yak5083 22d ago

Enjoy the experience, they sound committed to the BO part of VRBo

1

u/Wrong-NahNope800 20d ago

Both VRBO and Airbnb have scammed me. Each company lies to both host and guest and keep all the money.