Ohio Airbnb Host Quits After Nightmare Guests

Wendy Martin delisted her property after bad experiences with disruptive visitors.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Wendy Martin, a 50-year-old Airbnb host in Ohio, has decided to delist her property after dealing with several nightmare guests over the past two-and-a-half years. Martin's Airbnb, a small single-family home on her six-acre property near Dayton, was almost fully booked from March to December each year, earning her around $2,300 per month on average. However, a few bad experiences with messy, disruptive guests, as well as Martin's recent leukemia diagnosis, have led her to stop hosting on the platform and instead rent the property to her daughter and her friends.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges that some Airbnb hosts face, particularly those with properties located close to their own homes. While Airbnb can provide a lucrative income stream, the lack of control over guests and potential for property damage can make it an unappealing option for some homeowners, especially those dealing with health issues. It also raises questions about Airbnb's policies and support for hosts dealing with problematic guests.

The details

Martin's Airbnb property is a 1,300-square-foot home with three bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms, and amenities like a full kitchen, washer, and dryer. It's located on her six-acre property, which also features a koi pond and trails. The property was popular with visitors to nearby colleges, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and those traveling between Columbus and Cincinnati. However, Martin encountered several issues with guests, including two repeat visitors who trashed the home and caused significant cleaning and damage costs. Despite filing a reimbursement request with Airbnb, Martin was only partially compensated for the damage.

  • Martin and her husband have been hosting the Airbnb for about two-and-a-half years.
  • Martin was recently diagnosed with a mild form of leukemia, which factored into her decision to stop hosting.
  • Martin had six bookings already scheduled for March and April 2026, which she had to cancel.

The players

Wendy Martin

A 50-year-old Airbnb host in Ohio who has decided to delist her property after dealing with several problematic guests.

Airbnb

The vacation rental platform that Martin used to list her property, which she says did not adequately support her when dealing with damage caused by guests.

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What they’re saying

“Given the extra cleaning and the damage that they did, I filed a reimbursement request with Airbnb for $160. I sent all the documentation. And then they just paid me $10 total for a remote control. I would've rather they sent me $0.”

— Wendy Martin, Airbnb Host (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

Martin plans to rent the property to her daughter and her daughter's friends, which will provide a more stable and lower-maintenance income stream. In the future, she may consider using a platform like Furnished Finder to find longer-term tenants once her daughter and her friends move out.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential downsides of being an Airbnb host, especially for those with properties located close to their own homes. While the platform can provide a lucrative income stream, the lack of control over guests and the risk of property damage can make it an unappealing option, particularly for hosts dealing with health issues or other personal challenges.