Airbnb offers to cover damages after London flat was trashed

Airbnb faces embarrassing claims that a flat it rented out was trashed by hundreds of revellers holding a New Year’s Eve “orgy”.

Airbnb faces embarrassing claims that a flat it rented out was trashed by hundreds of revellers holding a New Year’s Eve “orgy”.

A woman who rented out the accommodation online for £128 for the night was alerted by neighbours about the rave.

Christina McQuillan called police on her way back to the flat in Putney, London, but was told at first it was not a criminal matter and they would have to break up the party themselves.

She said it was only after one reveller attacked her as she kicked him out that officers were sent out, the London Evening Standard reported.

The magazine designer said: “It was horrific. Me and my partner got to the property and there were hundreds of people on the streets. You could smell cannabis a mile off.

“We entered the property and we told her to shut it down immediately. This girl just laughed and said ‘no, I’m holding a party.’

“My partner decided to cut the power upstairs and in the bedroom they were having a mass orgy.”

She added: “People were smoking dope and there were other drugs, drinking. The music was horrifically loud with proper decks. There was professional music equipment pumping out really loud.”

The couple, who regularly rent out rooms on Airbnb, say the company has apologised and offered to pay for any damage.

A spokesman for Airbnb said: “We have zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour and have removed this guest from our platform. We are also in contact with the host and are providing them with our full support.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed they had been called shortly before midnight to reports of a woman being assaulted.