Exclusive

Family’s New Year trip ruined by filthy Paris Airbnb littered with bloody sanitary towels, cockroaches and mould

14 January 2025, 10:47

The flat was mouldy and infested with cockroaches
The flat was mouldy and infested with cockroaches. Picture: Supplied

By Kit Heren

A family trip to Paris for New Year was ruined by an unusable mouldy Airbnb, where they also found cockroaches and even bloody sanitary products.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Aaron McLaughlin and Mahonni Correia planned to bring together the two sides of their family from the UK and Brazil for the first time in a trip to the French capital - but were forced to cut the holiday short and found themselves out of pocket.

The flat they booked on Airbnb had mould up the walls, used menstrual products in cupboards, and yellow stained pillows as well as the pests.

The North London couple also said that the shower in the flat gave them electric shocks when they tried to use it.

The group, which also included a three-month-old baby and a relative who is suffering from cancer, decided that the flat was simply too unpleasant to stay in.

Read more: Mould, leaks and collapsing roofs: Inside Britain’s ‘best council estate’

Read more: Labour MP found to be renting out flats with black mould and infested with ants

The couple said they found used sanitary products in the flat
The couple said they found used sanitary products in the flat. Picture: Supplied

Mr McLaughlin said they tried to contact Airbnb and the French hosting company that manages the property via the platform, but were unable to get hold of them.

They eventually resorted to going to the offices of the hosting company, which is called OpenFlats, but were unable to get any help.

Mr McLaughlin even claimed that OpenFlats staff laughed at the request for a refund.

Airbnb properties don't have to be hosted by individual owners - it is also common for independent property management companies to rent out homes via the platform, and several such businesses exist.

They found mould on the walls
They found mould on the walls. Picture: Supplied

It can be a more convenient option for property owners who want to rent out their homes but don't want to be hands-on day-to-day - but questions have also been raised about how accountable the management companies are to guests.

In the case of Mr McLaughlin and Ms Correia, the family were left out of pocket for several days after being forced to book alternative hotel accommodation.

Airbnb told LBC they had refunded the couple this week, but the listing for the property is still live, and it's unclear if OpenFlats will face any sanctions on the platform.

The couple also said the flat was infested with cockroaches
The couple also said the flat was infested with cockroaches. Picture: Supplied

Ms Correia said of Airbnb: "They have said they're closing the case now but somehow we still don't feel satisfied", and suggesting that if the story had not been taken up in the media they might not have got compensation.

A spokesman for Airbnb said: "“We were disappointed to hear about this experience, and we have issued a full refund to the guest in addition to reimbursing other expenses.

"This listing has been suspended from Airbnb. All bookings come with AirCover, meaning in the rare event something isn't as expected on arrival for a stay, we’ll help the guest find a similar place or give them a refund.”

OpenFlats did not respond to a request for comment.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday afternoon.

Mysterious death of British couple in French villa suspected murder-suicide as investigators consider new theories

David Schwimmer has called for Elon Musk to ban Kanye West from X

Friends star David Schwimmer calls for Kanye West to be banned from X over 'hate-filled, ignorant' remarks

The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA.

All major parts of DC plane and Black Hawk helicopter involved in mid-air collision recovered, investigators confirm

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Kanye West.

Rapper Kanye West advertises t-shirt featuring a Nazi swastika, after 'antisemitic rampage' on X

Andrew Gwynne.

Minister sacked after posting he hoped 'pensioner who didn’t vote Labour would die' in WhatsApp group

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road.

Two arrested as protesters clash with police outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'She's terrible': Trump takes swipe at Meghan, but will not deport Prince Harry

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.

'She was grateful for life': parents of Southport stabbing victims pay tribute to their children

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London