Korea Airbnb utility dispute leaves owner $637 poorer

Tourists are returning to Korea, and some accommodations may need to set things straight with their guests in order to claim the full cost of their hospitality. A story of two foreigners using 840,000 won ($637) of utilities during their five-day...

CCTV footage shows two foreigners entering an Airbnb house in Mapo District, western Seoul in March. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Tourists are returning to Korea, and some accommodations may need to set things straight with their guests in order to claim the full cost of their hospitality.

A story of two foreigners using 840,000 won ($637) of utilities during their five-day Airbnb stay in March was covered by a Korean media outlet last week.

According to SBS, the Chinese couple supposedly used 120 tons of water and five times more gas than usual during their stay. The amount of water they used is enough for eight adults for two months, according to Seoul Waterworks Authority.

The couple had rented a house in Mapo District, western Seoul, through Airbnb for a stay between March 6 and March 31. The landlord received a call from the gasman on a possible gas leak on March 27, only to find out through CCTV footage that the couple had packed their luggage and left the place five days into their stay. The landlord messaged the guests, but they had already left the country.

The utility bill for the stay totaled 640,000 won for gas and 200,000 won for water and electricity.

Airbnb regulations allow hosts to charge guests for property damage, but need consent from them to charge for utilities. Hosts and guests can decide on utility charges for long stays. The landlord in this case had not done so.

Legal sources say it is unlikely for him to receive compensation because enforcing Korean law in another jurisdiction is practically impossible.

The couple reportedly told the landlord that they will raise the issue to the embassy if he keeps asking for the payment.

BY HA SU-YOUNG, SOHN DONG-JOO [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]