An Airbnb owner in Vermont has gone viral after claiming a guest stole a propane grill from his rental property. The host says the guest denied any involvement when confronted, but he believes evidence from security footage tells a different story. The incident has raised concerns among hosts about property safety and guest accountability on short-term rental platforms.
The story was shared on TikTok by user @dryfterhomes, where it quickly gained hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of likes. Many viewers reacted with shock, with the post spreading widely as people discussed the alleged theft and how hosts should respond in similar situations.
In the video, the Vermont Airbnb owner explains that the property was in good condition before checkout, but the outdoor propane grill was later found missing. He also points to signs of possible tampering, including scorch marks and a disabled security camera. According to him, recovered footage shows a person dragging the grill away, while another clip appears to show someone covering the camera lens with their hand.
The owner believes the camera was intentionally blocked, since it normally only stops recording during a power outage. He says he is now unsure whether to pursue charges, as he is worried about receiving a negative review that could impact his listing performance.
The Vermont Airbnb owner also expresses concern about how to move forward, saying that while he wants accountability, he is hesitant to take action if it risks damaging his reputation with future guests.
Vermont Airbnb Case Draws Online Reaction
TikTok users reacted strongly to the situation, with many urging the Vermont man to report the incident and leave an honest review. Several commenters stressed the importance of documenting everything and submitting evidence directly to Airbnb so the platform can handle disputes and potential claims.
One user wrote, “You should file a police report and then file a report with Airbnb. Submit the police report with the Airbnb report. This is why you have insurance. You need to fix or remount the camera somewhere that is not accessible from ground level.”
Others suggested practical steps such as filing a police report, requesting reimbursement through Airbnb’s insurance system, or charging the guest for damages. Some also advised the Vermont man to respond publicly to any guest review with evidence to protect future bookings and maintain transparency.
A smaller group focused on strategy and timing, warning hosts to be careful about retaliatory reviews and suggesting they wait before taking formal action. Others said incidents like this highlight growing concerns about trust and accountability in short-term rental platforms. Ultimately, the story leaves one question hanging: how do you host when even basic trust feels uncertain?
