Complaint Review: The Goena House

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding GOENA House on VRBO at 7240 Gobernador Rd., Carpinteria, CA 93013

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction and concern regarding my recent experience with the GOENA house listed on VRBO, located at 7240 Gobernador Rd., Carpinteria, CA 93013. As a potential long-term renter for a work project, I approached the owner requesting a discount for a 30-day stay. The owner agreed but insisted on receiving payment via Zelle, explicitly outside the VRBO platform, which is in direct violation of VRBO's guidelines for hosts.

Upon complying with the owner's request and paying the full month's rent in advance, we occupied the property for just over a week before unforeseen circumstances required us to cut short our stay. I promptly informed the host of our early departure, allowing him the opportunity to relist the property on VRBO. To my dismay, the host refused any form of refund, retaining $4700 of my payment.

This experience constitutes clear misconduct, as evidenced by the communications and financial records I have provided to VRBO, showcasing the improper payment method and refusal to issue a refund despite ample notice. Despite my efforts to seek resolution through VRBO, the platform has regrettably taken no action against the host, leaving his listings active and potentially subjecting other guests to similar treatment.

Furthermore, it is crucial to note discrepancies between the advertised appearance of the GOENA house and its actual condition. The exterior of the property, as depicted online, significantly contrasts with the reality of overgrown weeds and neglected maintenance.

In light of these circumstances, I urge VRBO to take immediate action against the host of the GOENA house at 7240 Gobernador Rd., Carpinteria, CA 93013, for breach of contract, fraudulent practices, and failure to meet advertised standards. Guests should be protected from such deceptive practices, and corrective measures are essential to uphold VRBO's reputation as a trusted vacation rental platform.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a swift and satisfactory resolution.

Sincerely,