A California Airbnb host faced every property owner's worst nightmare when a guest barricaded herself inside his luxury home and embarked on a bizarre selfie-taking spree that resulted in nearly £10,000 worth of deliberate damages.
The shocking incident occurred in Menifee, California, where host Kenny Germano discovered his guest had systematically destroyed his property while taking photographs of the destruction. What began as a standard rental quickly descended into chaos when the guest refused to leave at the scheduled checkout time.
The Barricaded Guest
Germano told reporters he arrived at the property to find the guest had physically barricaded herself inside. "She had moved furniture against the doors to prevent entry," he explained. "When I finally gained access, the scene was devastating."
The destruction was both extensive and strangely deliberate. The guest had:
- Poured bleach and soap across expensive wooden floors
- Damaged antique furniture and family heirlooms
- Destroyed decorative items and household goods
- Taken numerous selfies amidst the chaos she created
A Trail of Destruction and Selfies
Most disturbingly, the guest documented her destructive spree with numerous photographs. "She was taking selfies with the damage," Germano stated. "It was as if she was creating some sort of trophy album of the destruction."
The financial toll amounted to approximately $12,000 (£9,700), including both the physical damages and lost income from cancelled bookings during repairs. While Airbnb's AirCover for Hosts program eventually compensated Germano, the process took nearly two months of stressful negotiations.
Short-Term Rental Risks Exposed
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing the short-term rental market and property owners who participate in platforms like Airbnb. Despite protection programs, hosts remain vulnerable to guests who cause intentional damage.
Germano's experience serves as a cautionary tale for property owners considering entering the vacation rental market. While platforms offer protection programs, the emotional toll and temporary loss of income can create significant hardship for hosts.
The case also raises questions about guest screening processes and how platforms handle clearly destructive behavior by users who might repeat such incidents at other properties.
