Before you book. After you stay.
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Find answers about checking a property, sharing a stay, host responses, refunds and your privacy. We explain what works today and what is still being built.
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What is CatfishBnb?
CatfishBnb helps people compare Airbnb stays, hotels and private vacation rentals with guest-reported experiences. One form accepts all three stay types with private booking evidence. Dossiers combine reviewed guest photos, an 81-item checklist, written reports, host responses and reviewed resolutions. Operated by Circle the People LLC, independently of Airbnb. Reports and photos require review before publication.
Link to this answerHow can I check an Airbnb before booking?
Enter an Airbnb listing number or rooms link and sign in with an email code. Read published guest reports, approved photos, stay dates and host responses for that listing. CatfishBnb does not inspect or fetch the Airbnb listing itself. An empty dossier means no published reports are available.
Link to this answerHow will I find the right property?
For Airbnb, search by listing number or full rooms link. For a hotel or private vacation rental, choose the stay type and use the property name, street address, town and country from the booking. Use the same spelling and address; variations may need help matching. Reports must be reviewed against their booking evidence before publication. Similar titles, nearby locations or matching pictures alone do not verify a match.
Link to this answerDo the listing photos match what guests found?
Approved guest photos appear in published dossiers. Uploaded photos stay private until separately approved by a reviewer. Photo metadata is removed before storage. Campaign artwork is fictional and is not evidence about a property.
Link to this answerWas the Airbnb listing misleading, or was it spot on?
Describe what the listing advertised and what you actually found during your stay. The photos, description, amenities, location, parking and disclosed charges may have been spot on, partly accurate, or misleading in your experience. Give credit for what matched, and explain any specific differences with dated photos or details where available. A guest’s assessment does not establish deliberate deception. The host’s explanation and any later corrections belong alongside the report. Signed-in contributors can save a report for review.
Link to this answerWere the sheets, towels and bathroom clean?
The checklist records bedding, towels, bathroom and kitchen cleanliness, floors, surfaces and bins. A report describes the condition during one stay; it does not establish the condition of every later stay.
Link to this answerWere there blocked drains, leaks or hot-water problems?
The report checklist includes shower and sink drainage, toilet flush, standing water, leaks, hot water and water pressure. Guests can describe where and when they observed the issue and what happened after they told the host.
Link to this answerDid guests report unpleasant smells?
Guests can report damp or musty smells, drain or sewage smells, smoke and pet odour. These are guest observations. A report cannot establish the medical significance or technical cause of a smell.
Link to this answerWas parking available as advertised?
The dedicated parking section covers availability, whether the space matched the listing, charges, permits, reservations, distance, size and height limits, entry and exit, dedicated or shared spaces, street restrictions, luggage access, lighting, and advertised accessible parking or EV charging. Report what worked as well as what did not. Check the listing promises and the report date together.
Link to this answerWhat was the surrounding area like?
Reports can describe street noise, nearby building work, lighting on approach, paths, views and distances to advertised places. They should describe observed conditions without identifying private neighbours. CatfishBnb does not certify neighbourhood safety.
Link to this answerWere noisy neighbours or elevator noise a problem?
The checklist separates neighbour noise, parties, loud music, shouting, elevator or lift noise, hallway and door noise, traffic, building equipment and sleep disturbance. Describe what you heard, when it happened, how long it lasted and whether the host responded. Mention when the stay was quiet too. Describe behaviour without naming private neighbours or labelling people as bad. Guest observations are not professional sound measurements. Signed-in guests can submit reports for review.
Link to this answerWere Wi-Fi, heating and other amenities working?
The checklist includes Wi-Fi availability and usability, heating, air conditioning, lights, kitchen equipment and advertised laundry facilities. Guests can distinguish an absent amenity from one that was present but did not work as expected.
Link to this answerWhat if there are no reports for a listing?
No reports means there is not enough information in CatfishBnb to assess that property. It is not a positive rating, an all-clear or proof of a bad stay. Launch access is free; paid access is not active.
Link to this answerWhat does “Report resolved” mean?
Report resolved means the original guest accepted every outcome in the current host proposal, confirmed the agreed refund or remedy, and an independent reviewer approved the evidence. If no refund is needed, both people must explicitly agree. The original report and rating stay visible, with the reviewed outcome beside them.
Link to this answerWhat does Airbnb host accountability mean on CatfishBnb?
It means keeping the host’s promises, response and follow-through alongside the guest’s experience. Was the listing accurate? Did the host respond when a problem was reported? What remedy was agreed, what repairs were documented, and were inaccurate listing details corrected? Give credit when the host gets things right or puts them right. Some hosts use property managers and may initially be unaware of an issue; their explanation belongs in the record too. A host note or promise alone does not resolve a report. CatfishBnb’s review process retains the original report, the host’s response and evidence of the outcome. It does not determine legal liability or enforce Airbnb’s policies. Signed-in guests can submit reports for review.
Link to this answerCan the host explain what happened?
Owners and authorized property managers can claim a listing. A reviewer checks their authority before they can submit responses. Host responses and repair notes are reviewed before publication. Some hosts use managers and may not know of an issue until notified.
Link to this answerHow can I report a stay?
Create a contributor account, identify the property and month of stay, complete the checklist and add your experience and photos. Reporting is free. Reports and photos are private until reviewed and approved.
Link to this answerHow much will a dossier cost?
Launch access is free dossier access with no card required, followed by $2 per property dossier when paid access begins. Reporting is free. Email-verified accounts are available; paid access is not enabled.
Link to this answerWill my email and booking documents be public?
Email addresses stay private. Contributors choose contact permission separately for each report; it defaults off. Conversations require signed-in participants and can be blocked. Uploaded photos are stripped of metadata and reviewed separately before appearing in a published dossier. Do not upload door codes, private documents or other people’s personal information.
Link to this answerCan CatfishBnb guarantee a good stay or obtain a refund?
No. It presents reported claims and host responses, not property inspections, booking guarantees or refund decisions. It is not a booking platform or an Airbnb customer-support channel. Present and future conditions may differ from a reported stay.
Link to this answerHow walkable is the area, and how pleasant is the walk?
Contributors can rate their walking experience from 1 to 5, describe the walk and note essentials they reached on foot with approximate times. These are dated guest observations, not a verified business directory, safety guarantee or licensed Walk Score. Signed-in members can also look up nearby mapped essentials around a public town, neighborhood or landmark. Map results show source links, retrieval date and approximate straight-line distances from the chosen area center. They do not locate an Airbnb automatically, calculate walking routes or provide an official Walk Score. Public searches use Nominatim and Overpass API services; coverage and availability vary.
Link to this answerUsing CatfishBnb
Is this an Airbnb service?
No. CatfishBnb is operated by Circle the People LLC and is independent of Airbnb. We collect reported guest experiences; we do not handle Airbnb bookings or speak for Airbnb.
Link to this answerCan I book accommodation here?
No. Use the booking platform or host for reservations. CatfishBnb helps you read other guests’ experiences before deciding where to stay.
Link to this answerDoes every property worldwide have a dossier?
No. The database grows as people contribute. Search results reflect the reports we have, not a complete survey of all rentals worldwide.
Link to this answerWhat if a property has a new listing number?
Reports are tied to the submitted listing number. We do not assume that a different number represents the same property. Ask for a correction through Help if you have evidence of a mismatch.
Link to this answerHow should I read an older report?
Check the stay date and any later guest reports or host updates. A report is evidence of someone’s experience at that time, not a guarantee of the property’s current condition.
Link to this answerDoes a dossier certify a property as safe?
No. CatfishBnb does not inspect or certify properties. Read the report details and ask the host specific questions about your needs before booking.
Link to this answerAccounts and access
Do guests, contributors and hosts use different accounts?
Choose whether you are checking a stay, sharing a stay or representing a property when you join. A host must separately verify authority over a listing before responding to reports.
Link to this answerHow do I sign in?
Enter your email address and request a six-digit code. Use the code in the browser that requested it. Never give a sign-in code to another person.
Link to this answerWhat if my sign-in code does not arrive?
Check your email spelling and spam folder. Allow time for delivery before requesting another code. Use the latest code you requested; repeated requests may be temporarily limited.
Link to this answerWhat if my code expires?
Request a fresh code and enter it in the same browser. Codes expire after 15 minutes. An old code cannot be used to restore a session.
Link to this answerWhy am I asked to sign out another browser?
Account access is managed through Circle. If you reach the device limit, you can explicitly replace the old browser session. That signs the old browser out.
Link to this answerWhy does Help ask me to sign in?
Your verified account connects a request to you and keeps replies in your account. Help and corrections use the same sign-in process as the rest of the service. Terms and this FAQ can be read without signing in.
Link to this answerWhich languages are available?
The interface and this FAQ are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese. Choose a language at the top of the page. This does not automatically translate guests’ reports or private messages.
Link to this answerWill the site remember my language?
The site saves your choice in this browser when browser storage is available. Another browser or cleared storage may require you to choose again.
Link to this answerDossiers and pricing
What does “Dossier available for this property” mean?
There are published reports associated with that listing number. It does not mean CatfishBnb has inspected the property or independently confirmed every statement in those reports.
Link to this answerWill I see both praise and complaints?
Yes. Reports can describe positive, mixed or negative experiences. Positive reports begin with five entries and offer access to more. Other categories also provide further pages when needed. A resolution does not erase the original experience.
Link to this answerWhat does the contributor count mean?
It counts distinct contributors among the reports included in the dossier. It is not a count of all guests who have ever stayed there or a percentage of all Airbnb users.
Link to this answerWill I pay for a property with no reports?
No dossier checkout starts when there are no published reports for that property. An empty result means we need contributions, not that the property has passed a check.
Link to this answerIs this a subscription?
No. The intended paid offer is a one-time $2 USD dossier purchase for a property. Launch access remains free. There is no automatic subscription or later charge from a free launch checkout.
Link to this answerWhen will paid dossiers begin?
There is no automatic date or report-count trigger. Paid launch requires an explicit release decision, useful report coverage and the additional dossier value being prepared. Any price must be shown before purchase.
Link to this answerDoes it cost anything to submit a report or host response?
Reporting, verified host responses and correction requests remain free. The intended $2 price concerns reading a property dossier, not the right to contribute or correct information.
Link to this answerCan someone pay to remove a bad report?
No. A payment or guest refund does not buy removal or a better rating. Corrections depend on evidence and the reporting rules. A reviewed resolution is shown alongside the original report.
Link to this answerSharing your stay
How long do I have to submit a report?
Submit a new report and its reservation screenshot within 90 days of checkout. Day 90 is included; after that the reporting period has expired. We compare calendar dates in UTC. Three calendar months can differ from 90 days, so the rule is 90 days. Existing reports remain visible, and host responses and resolution work can continue afterward.
Link to this answerHow are the guest’s dates matched with the host’s booking records?
The guest enters exact check-in and check-out dates and the confirmation code or reservation code from the booking email. The screenshot must show the same property, dates and code. A verified host can enter the dates and code from their own records; matches, mismatches and missing details are shown privately to the moderator. Exact dates and booking codes do not appear in the public dossier. Matching details support review but do not independently authenticate a booking.
Link to this answerCan I report something I heard from someone else?
Share your own stay and observations. Do not submit a secondhand story as your experience. Describe what you saw, when you stayed and what you told the host.
Link to this answerWhat booking evidence is required?
Provide your confirmation code or reservation code and a screenshot of the booking-confirmation email showing the property, dates and code. This evidence is private and must be reviewed before publication.
Link to this answerDo positive reports also need booking evidence?
Yes. The reservation-evidence requirement applies to praise as well as complaints. The aim is a record of real stays, regardless of whether the experience was good or bad.
Link to this answerWhat should I remove from my booking screenshot?
Keep the property, stay dates and reservation code visible for the private review. Crop out unrelated messages, card or bank details, entry codes and information about other people.
Link to this answerDoes reviewing my screenshot authenticate my Airbnb booking?
No. A screenshot supports review, but it is not independent confirmation from Airbnb and can be altered. Unclear or inconsistent evidence needs further review.
Link to this answerWhy is my report pending?
Reports are reviewed before publication. Missing reservation evidence, unclear listing details or a privacy concern can prevent publication. Uploaded public photos also need their own approval.
Link to this answerWhat makes a useful complaint photo?
Take a wide view to show the space and a close-up of the specific issue. Explain what the photo shows and when it was taken. Avoid people, entry codes and private documents.
Link to this answerWhich photos can I upload?
Use your own images or images you have permission to share. The report form accepts JPEG, PNG and WebP files and prepares them for upload. Do not present campaign artwork or generated illustrations as evidence of a stay.
Link to this answerWhat if my reservation screenshot fails to upload?
Your report may already be saved privately. Open My account and use the reservation-evidence upload or retry link for that report. A saved report is not necessarily published.
Link to this answerWhat if I did not check an item?
Use the available not-checked or not-applicable choice rather than guessing. A detailed report distinguishes what you observed from what you could not assess.
Link to this answerShould I mention what went well too?
Yes. Explain what matched the listing as well as any problems. Specific, balanced details help the next guest understand the experience and give the host a clear opportunity to respond.
Link to this answerHosts and disputes
Does a public host number verify a host?
No. A listing or host number is not proof that someone controls the property. A moderator reviews the ownership or management evidence submitted with a claim.
Link to this answerCan a property manager claim a listing?
A manager can submit a claim and evidence of authority to represent that property. Selecting the manager role does not itself grant verified status.
Link to this answerWhat if the owner did not know about the problem?
Some hosts use property managers and may not know of a problem until it is reported. Hosts can explain their circumstances. We do not assume that management caused every problem or that every owner was unaware.
Link to this answerHow can a host dispute a report?
After the listing claim is verified, submit a dispute identifying the specific statement and supporting evidence. The response is reviewed; submitting a dispute does not automatically hide the guest report.
Link to this answerDoes verified host status prove the host is right?
No. Host verification establishes the relationship to the property. The truth of a disputed statement is a separate evidence question.
Link to this answerCan a host read my reservation screenshot?
A host claim does not grant access to the contributor’s private booking evidence. It remains restricted to the contributor and authorized moderation.
Link to this answerCan the host explain repairs or a change of manager?
Yes. Hosts can submit a note explaining what changed. Once reviewed for publication, it appears as the host’s statement, not as an independently established explanation from CatfishBnb.
Link to this answerDoes a negative report automatically make the manager pay?
No. A report alone does not establish contractual responsibility. A host and management company must address responsibility through their agreement and the applicable review process. CatfishBnb does not determine their financial liability.
Link to this answerRefunds and resolutions
Does CatfishBnb send accommodation refunds?
No. The host and guest handle any accommodation refund through their agreed method. A CatfishBnb dossier checkout is separate from the accommodation booking and cannot establish whether a host refunded it.
Link to this answerDoes a refund remove a report?
No. The original experience remains on record. Repairs and an agreed remedy can support a reviewed resolution that future guests can read alongside the report.
Link to this answerHow do I confirm that the host made things right?
Use the confirmation link for your report in My account. Confirm only the fixes and refund or remedy you can support. A moderator must review the evidence before a report is marked resolved.
Link to this answerIs a refund always required to resolve a report?
No. The host can propose no refund, but the guest must explicitly agree that none is needed. Every reported issue still needs an accepted outcome and independent evidence review.
Link to this answerWhat if only part of the agreed refund arrived?
Open the host’s proposal and choose that you received only part of the agreed refund. Say what is still missing. The case stays open until the whole agreed amount arrives and the other outcomes are accepted and reviewed.
Link to this answerWhat if I disagree that the problem is fixed?
Do not submit a confirmation you disagree with. Send the remaining issue through Help, including your report reference. A host statement alone cannot confirm the guest’s acceptance.
Link to this answerCan hosts submit matching before-and-after repair photos?
Yes. Verified hosts can open Repairs & refunds from a report, describe each outcome and upload matching repair photos. Show the same space from a similar position, with recognisable landmarks and a close-up. If that is not possible, explain why. Only approved original stay photos are shown to hosts. Repair photos need separate permission and privacy approval before appearing in the dossier. Photos alone cannot prove a lasting repair.
Link to this answerWill I receive an automatic “Did your refund arrive?” email?
After a reviewer checks the proposal and private evidence, the guest receives an email linking to that exact proposal. If the host says a refund was sent and the guest has not responded, one reminder can follow after 48 hours. Sign in to confirm the whole agreed amount, a partial amount or nothing received. Opening a link never accepts a proposal. Service emails are in English.
Link to this answerDoes an unanswered request become resolved automatically?
No. Silence never means agreement. One refund reminder can be sent after 48 hours, but it cannot resolve a case. The guest must respond and an independent reviewer must approve the current version.
Link to this answerNeighborhood and access
Is a pleasant walk the same as a short walk?
No. A route can be short but noisy, steep or unpleasant. Guest walk descriptions and nearby-place information answer different questions. Read the stated conditions and date, not just the distance.
Link to this answerAre nearby-place distances walking directions?
Map-based proximity is not a verified walking route. Roads, crossings, hills and access restrictions can change the actual journey. Check the route separately before relying on it.
Link to this answerAre grocery stores and opening hours guaranteed?
No. Nearby-place information comes from public map data and may be incomplete or out of date. Confirm opening hours, access and the services you need directly with the business.
Link to this answerDo neighborhood results give a safety score?
No. Guest observations and nearby places do not establish a neighborhood’s safety. CatfishBnb does not guarantee personal safety or classify residents based on reports.
Link to this answerCan I rely on a report for accessibility requirements?
Use reports as questions to raise with the host. Confirm the exact doorway widths, steps, elevator access, bathroom layout and parking arrangements you need. Guest observations are not an accessibility certification.
Link to this answerPrivacy and contact
Will my email address appear in a dossier?
No. Approved reports show your display name. Contact takes place through the site when you opt in; your email address is not publicly posted in the dossier.
Link to this answerCan future guests contact me?
You can allow contact for an individual report. It is optional and off by default. You can stop new contact requests and block a conversation through your account.
Link to this answerWhat happens when I switch contact off?
New messages for that report are blocked and the conversation is treated as closed. Turning contact off is not a request to delete the report or all retained records.
Link to this answerAre private conversations published?
No. They are not part of public dossiers or social posts. Avoid sharing payment credentials, entry codes or unrelated personal information even in private conversations.
Link to this answerDoes signing up subscribe me to marketing?
Marketing is a separate, optional choice. Account codes, review updates and conversation notices are service messages. You can change your marketing preference in My account.
Link to this answerHow do I request access, correction or deletion?
Sign in and use Help & corrections, choosing the privacy or deletion topic. Explain your request without adding unnecessary private information. We review it and explain any records that need to be retained.
Link to this answerSocial sharing
What is Biggest bait to date?
It is a campaign for sharing reviewed guest stories and useful photos, including what went wrong, what went well and what was fixed. It is not a ranking of every rental or an automatic accusation against a host.
Link to this answerAre the mansion and shack pictures real listings?
No. They are campaign illustrations, clearly labeled as such. They should never be cited as evidence about an actual host or property.
Link to this answerLucy and evidence
How does Lucy check my booking?
You can choose automatic review when you upload your booking screenshots. Lucy uses OpenAI to read the cropped images, then compares the visible booking code, property and dates with the details you entered. Leave the choice unchecked if you prefer a human reviewer.
All six checks must pass. If something is missing or does not match, you’ll see numbered questions in My account and receive a review notification. Upload the updated screenshots together. If your typed details need correcting, ask Help with your report reference. Unclear evidence goes to a reviewer. A matching screenshot does not independently authenticate a booking, and your report still needs publication review.
Link to this answerCan Lucy reliably identify an AI-generated image?
No. Visual analysis may flag concerns, but it cannot reliably prove that a photo is genuine or AI-generated. The planned workflow would request additional evidence when uncertain, rather than automatically accuse a contributor or approve a repair.
Link to this answerCan a photo prove that noise, smells or drains are fixed?
Not on its own. A photo can show visible conditions but may not establish an intermittent or invisible problem. The type of evidence must fit the issue, and unresolved uncertainty should remain under review.
Link to this answerCan an AI assistant link to these answers?
Yes. Each question has a stable link that an assistant can cite. This is the same FAQ people read. Public reference files point here; they do not grant access to private reports, booking evidence or messages.
Link to this answerDoes this FAQ guarantee an AI assistant will recommend CatfishBnb?
No. Clear, accessible answers help describe the service, but search engines and AI assistants decide what they retrieve or recommend. Availability here is not a promise of inclusion.
Link to this answerHotels and private vacation rentals
What does the 0–6 catfish scale mean?
One catfish means one unresolved problem report, up to a maximum of six. The actual report counts appear beside the scale even when there are more than six. Problem reports include published negative or mixed experiences and reviewed listing mismatches. A report is resolved only after the guest confirms the fix and any agreed remedy, and a reviewer verifies the repair evidence. Reports under review remain in the warning count until settled. Zero means no unresolved problems in the reports we have, not a guarantee that a property is good. Properties without classified reports show Not enough information. The recommendations are: 0 — No unresolved reports; 1 — Contact the host; 2 — Ask for proof of fixes; 3 — Consider alternatives; 4 — Strong caution; 5 — Avoid until resolved; 6 — Stay clear while six or more problem reports remain unresolved. Positive reports do not cancel unresolved complaints. This scale counts reports, not the severity of each issue or the proportion of all guests who complained. Read the individual details, dates and host responses before deciding.
Link to this answerHow do I share my stay?
It’s easy to get started. Choose Airbnb, hotel or private vacation rental, add your booking details and upload one or two screenshots of your confirmation email. Tell us what was good and what could have been better. We’ll review your report before it appears in the dossier. Crop them to show the property address, stay dates and booking-confirmation number. Leave out credit-card details and unrelated personal information. Both screenshots stay private.
Send your report and screenshot within 90 days of checkout. More about the timing.
Link to this answerHow do I identify my hotel room or room type?
Enter the hotel’s name and street address in the property section. Put the room or room type in the private booking details, not the property address. In your public review, distinguish your room’s experience from shared areas such as reception, elevators, parking or the pool. One room’s problem is not proof that every room has it.
Link to this answerWhat counts as a private vacation rental?
A holiday home, apartment, villa, cottage or similar short-stay property booked directly with an owner or manager, or through another rental provider. Choose Private vacation rental. Include the unit in the property address when it identifies a separate rental. The street address stays private; the reviewed property name and town may appear in the dossier.
Link to this answerWhat booking evidence do hotels and private rentals need?
Enter who you booked through, the exact check-in and check-out dates, and the confirmation number or reservation code. Upload one or two cropped screenshots of the booking-confirmation or acknowledgement email showing the property address, stay dates and confirmation or reservation number. Leave out credit-card details, payment information and unrelated personal information. If the details are split across two images, select both together; they are reviewed as one booking. References can contain letters, numbers and punctuation. Confirm that this is your own stay and the details are accurate. The code, screenshot and private room details are not published. Choose automatic review with Lucy or leave your evidence for a human reviewer.
Link to this answerWho can respond for a hotel or privately managed rental?
An owner, hotel representative or authorized property manager can select the stay type in the host form and submit a claim for review. Use the same property name and address as the guest’s booking. Email verification or knowing a property’s name does not prove authority. A reviewer must verify the claim before responses can be submitted.
Link to this answerDo hotels and rentals use the same checklist?
Yes. The same 81-item checklist covers cleanliness, photos, noise, access, parking and other stay details. Each question has a permanent number that stays the same in every language, so the same issue can be compared across reports. Use Not checked / not applicable for anything that does not apply. Judge amenities against what was advertised: a hotel room without an advertised kitchen should not be marked down for missing cookware.
Link to this answerDoes the 90-day rule apply to hotels and private rentals too?
Yes. Submit the report and booking screenshot within 90 days of checkout. The same calendar-date checks and private evidence review apply to all three stay types. Existing reports remain visible, and hosts and guests can still work toward a resolution after that period.
Link to this answerStill need a hand?
Send a private request through Help & corrections. Sign in so we can keep your request and reply together.
Independent guest reporting. Not affiliated with Airbnb.
Will my report automatically appear on social media?
No. Social consideration requires separate permission, and permission is not publication approval. The planned Lucy Social connection is not currently posting reports automatically.
Link to this answer