China tourist who spent US$2,800 on family homestay told to clean toilet, make beds before going home or lose deposit
- Woman books 280-square-metre house on popular holiday island
- Agents keep deposit, order thorough clean of property before leaving
A tourist from China who paid 20,000 yuan (US$2,800) for a homestay was ordered by the letting agent to scrub the toilet clean before departure or her deposit would not be returned.
The traveller, surnamed Wang, took her family on a trip to Haihua Island, also known as Ocean Flower Island, in southern China’s Hainan province during the Spring Festival.
She chose a 280-square-metre house at the costly monthly rental of 20,000 yuan to avoid the holiday crowds.
After staying in the house for two weeks, they left on February 15, forfeiting the money they had paid for the rest of their stay.
However, the agent they signed the contract with refused to return their 5,000-yuan (US$700) deposit, saying they did not clean the toilet to a standard high enough so that “the next guest could directly move in”.
