NOT SHOWING IT LIKE IT IS Lawyer sues Airbnb and apartment host

Posted on 09/01/2016 | About New York City, New York

A lawyer, claiming he was misled by the description of a New York City apartment on the accommodation-sharing website, is suing Airbnb and the former model property host. The Airbnb listing, which has a five-star review, advertises the apartment as a 'home away from home' with 'fashionable decor for a comfy yet modern vibe'.

Christian Pugaczewski allegedly paid more than US $9000 for a three-month stay in the Roosevelt Island apartment.
Pugaczewski claimed that instead the apartment had damaged floors, dingy walls, broken furniture, dirty windows, exposed roach traps in the kitchen and dilapidated rugs, according to court documents seen by the New York Daily News.
An associate at a Manhattan-based law firm, Pugaczewski said he assumed the apartment would be in a luxury building, but he said it had been converted from subsidized housing with garbage in the communal hallway and the smell of drugs.
The lawsuit states that the Airbnb listing with its verified photos and reviews led him to book 'a property materially different from the property portrayed'.
Pugaczewski says he stayed at the apartment for just one night before cancelling the reservation to stay with a friend instead, but Airbnb did not refund his $3000 deposit.
Lyndsey Scott, a former Victoria's Secret model, said she “acknowledges” Pugaczewski’s complaints and is “working closely with Airbnb to ensure that this is settled in a fair and just manner.”
Scott issued a statement saying that she “wholeheartedly respect(s) Airbnb’s standards and (has) worked tirelessly to ensure renters have had an above average experience, as evidenced in my five star rating on Airbnb.com.”
“Roosevelt Island is a beautiful neighborhood in New York City, known for its sense of community, family environment and diversity — all traits I wholeheartedly embrace. I have always felt safe in my apartment and proud to call Roosevelt Island my home. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused Mr. Pugaczewski. The photos, description and reviews in the listing are verifiable and accurate,” she said.
Pugaczewski said his own pictures of the apartment showing its flaws - combined with other negative online comments about the building and Airbnb's refusing to permit him to post a review on their website - "speaks volumes."
"I accept Ms. Scott's apology," he said.
"I look forward to Ms. Scott and Airbnb reaching out to me to resolve the situation as soon as possible. Unfortunately, they have been unwilling to do so in the past which is why we are in this situation."
Airbnb refused to comment on the case but a spokesman told New York Daily that when complaints were received it reviewed the listing and took action.