Guests cause $6K in damage at Harry Potter-themed Airbnb

By Ottilie Von Henning

An owner was left distraught after unruly guests wrecked her Harry Potter-themed rental - leaving more than $6k worth of damage.

Sadie, who wished to keep her surname private, 30, runs several properties which she rents out on Airbnb and Booking.com.

Sadie's Harry Potter-themed rental was booked for a one-night stay for two adults via Booking.com last weekend, Feb .15.

Sadie's brother, who helps her running the properties, was the first person the enter the flat after the guests had left and was "traumatized" by the experience.

According to Sadie, the guests permanently stained the mattress with cocoa and coffee.

They also broke the sofa bed, smashed several glasses and destroyed the TV.

Sadie's brother also found the duvets and sheets soaked with water and the walls, blinds, carpets and radiators drenched in Fanta.

Sadie, a dental nurse in Watford, Hertfordshire, said: "It has been extremely difficult for us to deal with.

"Both my brother and I are traumatized by the whole thing.

"We've had the rental open nearly a year and only ever hosted nice family guests.

"We never thought this could happen."

Sadie runs three Harry Potter-themed properties in the Watford area, aimed at families coming to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

Sadie said: "Part of why this is so upsetting is how much time and effort we put in to make these spaces magical for the children who come to visit.

"We have had so many lovely messages left in our guest book from children who enjoyed their stay.

"So it's difficult to see someone violate the space in this way."

Sadie estimates the total costs of damages to be at least $6k which includes two professional cleans of the property and replacing the mattress, the TV, the sofa bed and the Wi-Fi router.

Sadie said: "It's been tough to take in everything that has been damaged.

"This is one of our most popular spots, so we had to relocate other guests who were booked to stay there to different properties.

"Right now, all we can do is absorb the immediate costs."

Sadie contacted Booking.com and the police about the incident.

Sadie said: "They got back saying damages done by guest are not their responsibility but that we should send some photos and video so they can address it fully.

"We haven't heard back since providing those images."

Hertfordshire Police said in a statement:

"Police are investigating a report of criminal damage in Watford.

"The incident happened inside a property in Gammons Lane between 1pm on Saturday 15 February and 1pm on Sunday, Feb. 16.

"Damage was caused to a TV, a Wi-Fi router, the carpet and a mattress.

"Inquiries are ongoing at this time but if you have information, you can report it online at herts.police.uk/report."