Earlier this year we booked a two-night stay in Singapore through Airbnb. All communications with the owner were via the Airbnb website. However, on arrival large posters in the lift made it clear that Airbnb short lets were illegal in this building.

We eventually agreed with the owner that we would sleep in the apartment free of charge (it was late and we had been travelling all day) and find alternative accommodation in the morning. Our payment of £255 was refunded by Airbnb, but that does not compensate for the fact that we spent more than planned on a last-minute hotel.

Incidentally, the original Airbnb account under which we had booked had been closed after a guest posted a review stating that they, too, had learned the rental was illegal upon arrival, even noting a police visit.