When an unlucky holidaymaker spent £1,000 to rent the cottage, she was met with a foul odor upon entering. The desperate mother asked Mumsnet users for advice after spending hours cleaning and spraying air freshener in an attempt to remove the horrible smell from the property.
Most users online were quick to support the hapless tourist, Edinburgh Live Reports. Many even urged her to ask for her money back.
Calling it a “nightmare vacation home,” the woman posted: “Can someone please tell me what you would do in this situation? We arrived at our (long-awaited) vacation home yesterday and found it absolutely stinks. I’ve cherished every surface so many times and it still stinks Downstairs it’s worse but upstairs still awful so bad I struggled to sleep last night We’ve been out all day today and just got back and frankly I want to cry More then £1000 we paid for the week!
“I spoke to the woman at the local shop (when I bought the Febreeze!) but the smell is very fishy/rotten. The village doesn’t feel very welcoming to visitors – she also said last year that someone was outside the door mirrors at night. broke off their car!
“The company didn’t help at all – the woman laughed on the phone and told us the fish was an urban legend. There is no way to take a picture of the smell to try and claim a reduction. I don’t know I’ll see if I can last the week. Currently sitting in the garden with a glass of wine, but I’m afraid to go inside.
“If anyone has any suggestions other than Febreeze, please let me know. I’m trying to be lighthearted about it, but I’m devastated. We drove 6 hours to get here, I’m so exhausted.”
Hundreds of people flocked to the comments, many offering advice on how to get rid of the smell with cleaning hacks. While others urged her not to give in, and ask someone from the bureau to look at the property.
One quickly replied, “That’s definitely a breach of contract. Be very strict with the rental agent and tell them to come to the cottage tomorrow.”
Another agreed: “I would call the company back first thing in the morning. Obviously this is not an acceptable situation.”
“Did you pay by credit card, can you tell them you’re opening a dispute? Difficult as you can’t take a picture?” added a third.
Someone advised, “Also keep the receipt for any air fresheners or whatever you buy to get rid of the smell and send a copy to the agents for a refund. You shouldn’t bring the property to an acceptable level. It’s their job. “
But one blow back: “Maybe looking for ethical/responsible tourism in the future?”
And another added: “I certainly wouldn’t have refrigerated it or bought candles to mask the smell. It’s not your problem to solve. I can’t believe people say to leave windows open, use vinegar etc.
“I would have insisted that someone come out immediately to inspect the property and if they didn’t, find a hotel and stay there until someone did.”