The owner of a Harry Potter-themed rental home expressed her shock and sadness after the property was severely damaged, likening the scene to a “crime scene.” Sadie, who manages the Watford, Hertfordshire location, transformed it into a magical experience for Harry Potter fans, complete with themed rooms and games. However, after a recent guest stay booked through Booking.com, she discovered around £5,000 worth of damage, including frozen food scattered on the floor, broken furniture, and damaged themed items.
Upon returning, she found a knife left by a window and evidence of cannabis use, while the bed sheets and mattress were stained with what was initially thought to be a brown substance, later identified as cocoa butter and coffee. Frustrated, Sadie shared videos of the destruction online, stating, “They literally destroyed the entire place.” After the guest left, she received a message from them saying, “I’m sorry for the damage, but this is my zip code.”
Following the cleanup, Sadie enlisted a professional cleaner to assist her. Her video attracted over 15 million views with many TikTok users expressing outrage at the condition left by the guests. In response, a spokesperson for Booking.com stated that they are investigating the incident thoroughly and working with local authorities to take action against responsible users. They also advised property owners to secure proper insurance and establish damage policies before renting out their spaces.
