Wendy Martin, 50, has decided to delist her property near Dayton, Ohio, from Airbnb after hosting for approximately two-and-a-half years. The decision follows a recent diagnosis of a mild form of leukaemia and a series of disappointing experiences with guests, including one who caused significant damage.
Martin and her husband purchased the 1910-built, three-bedroom cottage on their six-acre property from a family member who had successfully run it as an Airbnb. They continued the venture, attracting guests visiting local colleges, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, or family in the area, with the property booked most weekends from March to December.
Challenges with Guests and Platform Support
Martin cited three "really terrible" guest experiences as a key factor. One guest, who booked twice, left the house "pretty gross" and drove on the grass. Another group trashed the property during a 10-day stay, leaving food wrappers under mattresses, dumping cooked food in a flowerbed, and melting a remote control.
After the damaging stay, Martin filed a $160 reimbursement claim with Airbnb for extra cleaning and repairs. The platform reviewed her documentation and awarded her $10 solely for the remote. "I would've rather they sent me $0," Martin stated. Airbnb, when contacted for comment, said it "thoroughly reviewed the photos submitted" and "partly reimbursed the host for the damage found."
Financial and Operational Shift
The property typically earned an average of $2,300 per month, with Martin charging $125 per night and a $75 cleaning fee. With her health diagnosis creating uncertainty, she has opted for a more stable arrangement. Her daughter and two friends will now rent the home long-term for $1,300 monthly, including utilities, in exchange for some yard work.
This change will roughly halve the rental income but eliminates costs for cleaning, linen provision, and guest amenities. Martin stated that once she recovers and her daughter moves on, she will likely list the property on a platform like Furnish Finder for longer-term, controlled rentals.
Martin has cancelled all existing future bookings, including six already scheduled for the new year. She expressed regret at losing contact with many positive repeat guests who used the property during difficult family visits or military postings.