Woman Gave Her Airbnb Host 4 Stars Because of Ants. Then She Was Hit With a Revenge Review Calling Her Messy: ‘No Proof Was Given’
Can't make this up.
A woman who gave her Airbnb host four stars because of ants was hit with a revenge review calling her messy, and the host refused to provide any proof. The incident, shared in a viral Tiktok video by content creator Bry, who goes by @libramusings, has reignited frustration over Airbnb’s handling of guest-host disputes, unreasonable expectations, and retaliatory reviews.
Bry’s nearly five-minute storytime, posted in June 2026, details how she followed the host’s checkout instructions to the letter – stripping beds, loading dishes, taking out trash, and sweeping – only to receive a negative review claiming the place was left “messy.” The host dismissed Bry’s request for evidence, saying she spoke to her housekeeper and believed her. Bry’s video ends with a direct call to Airbnb: “You gotta get these hosts under wraps.”
The situation isn’t an isolated one. Airbnb guests have increasingly called out hosts for lengthy chore lists, surprise fees, and retaliatory reviews, even when guests follow rules. Bry’s experience echoes broader discussions about transparency, the mental load of vacation rentals, and whether Airbnb has strayed too far from its original peer-to-peer hospitality model. Many argue that cleaning fees should cover basic upkeep, not turn them into unpaid housekeepers.
In her video, Bry walks through the entire ordeal
She and her group stayed in a beachside Airbnb that was “fine,” though they dealt with ants. The checkout instructions were clear: put dirty linens in the bathtub, put away clean dishes, take out the trash, and sweep. They did all of that, even waking up early to ensure everything was in order. Bry says she made sure the place looked “pretty much exactly the same as when we got there.”
When she left the host a 4-star review, deducting one star for the ants, she was met with a retaliatory review claiming the unit was messy. Confused, Bry messaged the host asking for proof. The host’s response? “I spoke to my housekeeper and I believe her.” No photos, no evidence, just a refusal to back down. The host even brought up Bry’s 4-star rating, implying it was unfair, and said she would have provided ant spray if she’d known about the issue.
Bry’s frustration is palpable. “Why am I having to clean your house for you?” she asks. “Why are you paying a housekeeper if your housekeeper is complaining that it’s messy when all it is is maybe the counter needs to be wiped down? Weren’t you gonna wipe down the counter anyways?” She ended up not reporting the host, saying she’s done with Airbnb altogether.
Many others share similar frustrations
The New York Post reported in 2025 that an Australian Airbnb host went viral for a list of demands that included a $120 fee for not emptying the dishwasher. The host’s rules covered everything from excess rubbish ($30 per extra bin liner) to additional guests ($25 per night for overnight visitors, $15 for day guests). They even claimed to have a tracking device at the property to monitor guest numbers, reserving the right to enter if they suspected a violation.
The list also included a $30 admin fee for “time spent administrating an invoice and collecting and uploading photographic evidence” of any damages or messes. A further $30 fee applied for every additional correspondence. The rules were so over-the-top that many questioned whether they were even legal.
Airbnb’s policies state that guests can flag “unreasonable” requests, and listings with repeated low ratings for excessive chores can be removed. But enforcement seems inconsistent, leaving guests like Bry feeling powerless.
Airbnb’s 2023 update introduced transparent checkout instructions, which are supposed to be displayed on the listing page before booking. The idea was to prevent surprises, but critics say it hasn’t gone far enough. Hosts can still tack on last-minute demands or retaliate with negative reviews if they feel slighted. Bry’s case is a perfect example. She followed the rules, but the host still found a way to penalize her.
The bigger issue here is the shift in Airbnb’s model
What started as a way to stay in someone’s spare room or unique home has increasingly become a transactional experience, with hosts treating guests like temporary tenants rather than visitors. Cleaning fees, which are supposed to cover basic upkeep, often come with a laundry list of chores that guests are expected to complete. If they don’t, they risk negative reviews, fees, or even being blacklisted from future bookings.
Bry’s video strikes a nerve because it highlights the imbalance of power. Hosts can leave reviews that impact a guest’s ability to book future stays, but guests have little recourse if a host is unreasonable. Airbnb’s review system is supposed to be a two-way street, but in practice, it often feels like hosts hold all the cards.
For now, guests are left navigating a minefield of rules, exorbitant costs and fees, and potential retaliation. Bry’s advice? “I probably will not book another Airbnb after my experience.” And she’s not alone. As more stories like hers surface, it’s clear that Airbnb’s original promise of hassle-free, home-like stays is fading.
Whether the platform will take meaningful action to address these issues remains to be seen. Until then, guests will have to weigh the convenience of an Airbnb against the risk of dealing with a host who sees them as little more than a source of extra income.
(Featured images: Freestocks-photos on Pixabay and libramusings on Tiktok.)
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