Mum doesn’t want to pay for toddler’s Airbnb damage as the home said it was ‘child friendly’

Some parents agreed with her.

A mum sparked a hug debate online after she admitted she didn't want to pay for the damage her 18-month-old toddler caused in an Airbnb. The reason behind her decision, she explained, was that they were told the venue was "suitable for families with children". However, upon their arrival, she felt that this wasn't the case. She explained on Mumsnet:

"We recently stayed in an Airbnb holiday cottage. "It was stated that it was suitable for families with children, our youngest is 18 months. "On arrival there was no travel cot or stair gate but we managed to get hold of a cot and improvise for a stair gate so wasn't a problem. "There was a very low and large ledge in the sitting room, mid calf height, with various things on it. There were a couple of small black jugs. "Our toddler lifted one off, tripped and smashed it, falling on the rug. "It turned out in was thin glass and full of port... Luckily our toddler didn't hurt himself but it could have been very nasty. They now want us to pay to replace the rug. "I just feel that it was dangerous to leave this kind of thing within such easy reach of a young child. "Obviously if we'd realised we would have moved it straight away."

She later added that she thought it was "a bit irresponsible" to leave alcohol in glass within easy reach. She said:

"It could have been a lot worse."

Some of the parents agreed that she shouldn't have to pay for the breakage, and that it was the owner's responsibility because of the jug's placement. One person said:

"I'd be annoyed about this. They left alcohol within reach of small children in a family friendly place. I wouldn't pay and I would explain why."

Someone else added:

"Businesses have costs related to breakages. They need to suck it up or claim on their insurance."

Others felt that the mum should at least make an offer to pay for the rug, no matter what the listing said. A parent commented:

"You are responsible for your child and if they break something you must pay, same as if you yourself broke it."

Meanwhile, a different person added:

"Airbnb’s list what’s provided, if you wanted/expected a stairgate & cot you should’ve checked the listing properly or contacted the owner in advance to check "I think tbh you should’ve checked the place was toddler proof yourself - child friendly doesn’t mean baby proofed, you need to pay for the rug."

Someone else agreed:

"Pay for the rug. If an adult had broken it, you wouldn't think twice."