Renting an Airbnb isn’t always the straightforward, stress-free experience people expect. Over the past few years, guests and hosts alike have shared stories about misleading listings, unruly guests, and unexpected rules.
For example, one guest arrived at what a host advertised as a five-bedroom home and found a camper instead. A host recently went viral after sharing their beloved property in a state of total disarray.
Others have previously expressed privacy concerns, such as hidden cameras or inappropriate behaviors by the host.
Now, another Airbnb dispute is drawing attention after a Wisconsin woman says she’s being charged thousands of dollars over what she believes was a setup waiting to happen.
A $3,000 Charge Over a Bathroom Incident
TikTok creator Jennie (@jennielynn290) shared a photo she says shows the real source of the damage she’s being blamed for. Her post, which has racked up more than 217,000 views, shows a bidet sitting loose on the bathroom floor, disconnected from the toilet.
“Stayed in an Airbnb over Thanksgiving. This was in the floor and now I’m being charged over $3,500 in damages,” she wrote.
In the caption, Jennie explains that she booked the Airbnb expecting a relaxing holiday stay with her family. Instead, she says a chain of events led to water flooding into the basement and a hefty bill.
“This was left in the floor by I’m assuming the cleaning ladies,” she wrote, referring to the bidet. “While we were there someone laid a wet towel on top causing the on button to be turned on for over an hour. Water pouring into the basement and leaving an inch of water. Now the host is asking us to pay over $3,000 in damages. What do we do!”
In the comments, reactions split fast.
One person wrote, “I would think you’re at fault because you left running water on the floor which caused property damage.”
Another commenter put it even more bluntly: “I truly don’t know how you think this isn’t your fault. The item being on the floor is not the problem — the problem is your friend turned the water on and didn’t notice water for hours.”
“I think you misunderstood,” Jennie replied. “A wet towel was pushed on top of the bidet that should have been connected to the toilet, not laying on the floor, which turned it on causing a leak.”
Others sided with her and focused on the setup itself. “Airbnb is a scam,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Hotels are so much more affordable and less likely to have this kind of stuff happen.”
Several people zeroed in on the bidet. One commenter shared their own experience, warning against cheaper attachments altogether. “Airbnbs should not have cheap plastic bidets,” they wrote, describing a similar flood that led to months of repairs and mold damage.
Jennie Explains How It Happened
After the debate picked up, Jennie posted a follow-up video walking viewers through exactly what happened in the bathroom.
She explains that the shower itself caused part of the problem. “There was a really cool shower with two shower heads and wall mounts that sprayed a ton of water,” she says. According to her, water regularly sprayed outside the shower area and onto the bathroom floor.
She explains that her niece showered first and laid a towel down to soak up the water. When Jennie went in next, she says she slid the soaked towel into a small nook near the toilet so she wouldn’t have to stand on it.
“I pushed the towel over into this little nook where the toilet was,” she says. That nook, she explains, is also where the loose bidet was sitting.
She didn’t realize the towel had pressed against the bidet’s button. “I guess when that happened, it turned on the bidet,” she says. Water was then sprayed directly into a crack in the wall and ran down into the basement below.
“That’s what caused the leak,” she explains.
Jennie hasn’t shared what ultimately happened with her claim or whether Airbnb ruled in her favor.
What Airbnb Says About Damage Claims
According to Airbnb, guests can be held responsible for damage caused during a stay, but there’s a formal process.
If damage happens, hosts can request reimbursement through Airbnb’s Resolution Center. Guests have 24 hours to respond.
If the dispute escalates, Airbnb’s Community Support team reviews evidence from both sides to decide whether the guest is responsible and whether the requested amount is reasonable.
That review includes photos, documentation, and any explanation the guest provides.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Airbnb and Jennie via email for comment.
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Ljeonida Mulabazi
Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.
