Latest news with #shortTermRental
CBC
23-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
City decision to block north London Airbnb rental upheld at hearing
Social Sharing A hearing decision released Friday means the owner of a north-London house listed on Airbnb won't be getting a new city licence to continue operating the property as a short-term rental. However, one neighbour is skeptical the decision will actually stop the owner from renting out the house. A hearing was held Thursday after Jithin Das, the owner of 167 Sunnyside Dr., had appealed a city decision in February to not renew the short-term rental licence for the five-bedroom house near Masonville Mall. The key issue was whether or not Das lived at the property. The city's short-term accommodation bylaw restricts rentals to properties that are the owner's primary address. Appeal dismissed at hearing Das told the tribunal he stayed in the house two or three times a week when he's not travelling outside of London for work. A city licensing manager told the tribunal after investigating, they don't believe Das lives there. In the end, hearings officer Don Bryant ruled in favour of the city. "On the totality of the evidence I do not accept that 167 Sunnyside Drive is the resident address of the appellant," hearings officer Don Bryant wrote in his decision. "As such, the decision of the licence manager to refuse the licence for 167 Sunnyside Drive is confirmed and the appeal dismissed." Neighbour Chris Prater told CBC News Bryant made the correct decision. However, Prater also said he and his neighbours will be watching to see that the city follows through on enforcement should the house continue to be rented out to short-term guests. "We're pleased with the outcome, I think it was an obvious decision for the city to make based on the issues that we've had," said Prater. "It will be interesting to see, if he continues to rent it out, what the city's next step will be." Prater said neighbours have been complaining about the property for more than three years. The house made news last fall when a two-day sorority event brought busloads of students to the street. "The measures that the city has taken up to now obviously haven't been that effective if we're still dealing with this problem," said Prater "And I don't know if that's going to change." Owner won't commit to taking down Airbnb listing CBC News reached Das for comment on Friday. He wouldn't answer when asked if he will stop renting the property now that that the property is no longer licensed to operate a short-term rental. "I've not decided about that," he said. "That's not the matter here right now." Das said there are relevant aspects of his case that were not brought up during Thursday's 90-minute hearing. He would not elaborate on what those points were. The house continues to remain an active listing on Airbnb, with multiple bookings scheduled in the weeks ahead. CBC reached out to Airbnb for comment on Friday, but did not receive a response.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Owner of London Airbnb that once went viral appeals losing his rental licence
Social Sharing The owner of a London Airbnb used for a now notorious sorority party is appealing the city's move to block the property's future use as a short-term rental. Meanwhile, neighbours are frustrated the house continues to be listed on Airbnb. The five-bedroom property at 167 Sunnyside Dr. in the Masonville neighbourhood made news last fall when busloads of university students showed there for a two-day sorority event. That gathering, and others by renters of the house, led to complaints from neighbours. Under the city's short-term accommodation (STA) bylaw, London properties listed on sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo must have a city-issued licence. To get a licence, the property being rented must be the owner's primary residence. The house was first issued a short-term rental licence in October 2023. However, the licence was revoked in July of last year. An application to renew the licence was rejected by the city in February of this year, a decision the owner is now appealing. When asked why the licence renewal application was turned down, a city spokesperson said they couldn't comment because the matter is now under appeal. See a long line of sorority hopefuls outside a London, Ont., Airbnb 8 months ago Duration 0:10 Neighbours complain about noisy parties Neighbours of 167 Sunnyside Dr. who spoke to CBC News on Wednesday said they've been dealing with noise from parties and large gatherings at the house for the past three years. Pavel Sypien shares a back fence with house. He said renters are drawn to the listing because of its five bedrooms and large heated pool. "There are groups of people that are enjoying late-night parties involving alcohol," he said. "It's been going on for past three years." Sypien said the noise from next door means he often can't enjoy his own back yard. The house's Airbnb listing describes it as a property that can accommodate "16+" guests. "The whole group can fit in this massive home and have enough space to spend your valuable time with your family, friends or with colleagues," reads the property's description. In the property's 52 reviews, guests said they stayed at the house while attending weddings and sporting events such as the Ontario Summer Games. Including cleaning fees, Airbnb service fees and taxes, the house rents for $2,785 for five nights. It appears to be booked for much of the summer. Does the owner live there? CBC News reached out the house's owner Jithin Das for comment but did not receive a reply. Das is a realtor with Mississauga-based Team Alliance Realty. The house is currently listed for sale on with an asking price of $1,149,900. In past conversations with CBC news, Das disputed neighbours' claims that he doesn't live in the home, saying it's his primary residence and his wife and children live closer to the children's school. Chris Prater lives across the street from the house and said from what he's observed, the house is operating as a short-term rental in contravention of city rules. "From our perspective as a neighbourhood, this person does not live here," said Prater of the owner. "They go to the house once a week to put the garbage cans out and come back to put them away the next day. I think residency is a tough thing for the city to prove and that's a sticking point." Prater said the noise is more of a burden for neighbours who live beside the house but said when it's rented, it creates traffic and parking congestion on nearby streets. "At times there will be six to eight or maybe 10 cars parked on the road," he said. "There have been a long list of parties that go on there ... large groups." The owner's appeal of the city's decision to deny the short-term rental licence renewal is set to happen Thursday in a committee room at city hall.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Origin star Harry Grant adds to growing property portfolio ahead game 1
Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant has two reasons to celebrate after making the Queensland side for the State of Origin opener and settling on his latest property purchase. The 25-year-old has purchased a two-bedroom unit in Richmond for $635,000 with plans to list the property as a short-term rental so that fans can stay there during NRL games. RELATED: Sydney Roosters NRL star Angus Crichton lists $2.5 million blue chip home As an added incentive, he plans to name one bedroom in the unit 'Storm' and the other 'Richmond', and decorate them with some footy memorabilia. The Yeppoon-born player said he was keen to continue to grow his property portfolio. 'I've been looking for a property to have as a short term rental for a couple years now, so once this unit hit the market, I knew it was exactly what I wanted and knew the location and large terrace would prove to be such an important factor in the purchase,' Grant said. 'There's so much flexibility to it. I'm really excited to be able to host my family and friends for numerous occasions throughout the year. 'With our busy schedule, I don't get back up to Yeppoon very often so this airbnb will allow me to have family and friends stay whilst also allowing people to have such convenient access to all that Melbourne and especially Richmond has to offer. The memorabilia is still a work in progress but might be something for people to lean into around Storm games or sporting events at the MCG.' The unit is on the third floor in a boutique block of just 17, and features a wraparound terrace with views from St Ignatius Church to the iconic Dimmeys Clocktower. The property is not far from where Grant himself lives, just moments from Swan Street's restaurant scene and Melbourne's sporting and entertainment precinct. 'I've really enjoyed the property investment side of things outside of footy,' Grant said. 'I'm a hands-on learner, so I've really learnt a lot through asking questions to a couple people I really rely on in terms of advice. 'I would love to renovate a house at some point down the track.' Grant, who was named on the bench in all three Origin games last year, has made the starting team for Queensland when the State of Origin series kicks off at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane later this month. He had been waiting for the all-clear to play after recovering from a hamstring injury.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
Arvada police continue investigation of shooting at Colorado rental property: "I saw this bullet hole in my fridge"
Arvada police are asking for the public's help in identifying suspects in a shooting that happened in the 9200 block of Highland Place on Friday night in the Denver suburb. The gunfire erupted at a party after a group of people was told to leave. According to police, they returned and opened fire. No one was injured or hit, but residents like Cayce Goldberg heard the shooting and found bullet holes in their own homes. "I came into my garage to just grab a beer and relax, and I saw this bullet hole in my fridge," he told CBS News Colorado. Multiple bullet holes were seen in his garage, with one piercing his freezer, putting multiple holes in a loaf of frozen bread. Cayce Goldberg points to a bullet hole he says was left after a shooting outside his Arvada home on Saturday, May 10, 2025. CBS The home, right near Goldberg's residence, is a short-term rental property that's licensed with the city. Neighbors say it's been the site of loud parties in the past, but nothing quite like this. "I step back in the living room and then I heard the same thing just a few seconds later," said Michael Layer, who lives just down the block. "It was a crack, crack, crack, crack, crack. But there were fire blasts behind it, so I knew it was gunfire." While Arvada has had prior problems with a growing number of unlicensed short-term rentals operating on websites like Airbnb and VRBO, this house was registered with the city. That, according to Arvada police spokesman Chase Amos, made the start of the investigation easier. "We do have some recourse, so we can go after and discuss issues with the properties as they come up," he said. "We do have that point of contact that we can follow up with and ask if this is a one-off issue with that particular owner, or is this a recurring problem where we need to look into revoking a license?" Some residents, like Goldberg, are unnerved by the situation and expressed concern to CBS Colorado about the number of rental properties being used for parties and other activities beyond the eyes of parents or authorities. Layer felt that the onus landed squarely on the property owners. "Airbnbs are fine, but you gotta be careful about who you rent them to," he said. "It's such a quiet neighborhood and it's always been so mellow and a good community of people and I've just never seen anything like this over here," Goldberg said. So far, there are no suspects that Arvada police can share publicly, but they told CBS Colorado they are gathering other surveillance of the area.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Crunch time for Airbnb, short-term rentals
A two-year ban policed by the tax office is set to hit Airbnb and the short-term rental market hard, an industry operator warns. The ban which began on April 1 this year and runs through to March 31, 2027 is overseen partly by the Australian Taxation Office, with all foreign property buyers now unable to buy established dwellings in Australia 'with limited exceptions'. The ATO said 'this includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence' which covers the likes of international students and contract workers, but operators fear the fallout will hit the holiday market hardest. Big bank's huge rates call amid property confidence spike But short-term rental property management firm Bodhitree Group managing director Seiko Ma warned the foreign investor ban will stunt availability of short-term rental accommodation in Australia for holidaygoers most. She said foreign property buyers often bought homes for rental purposes, including Airbnb, which could see those numbers fall over the next two years. 'If fewer properties are available for short-term rental, it would be a significant loss for both the industry and the tourists who benefit from these unique lodging options,' she said. 'In my experience, local property owners tend to have different priorities compared to foreign investors. They are generally less likely to offer their properties for short-term rental.' 'Instead, they may choose to live in the property themselves or rent it out long-term. These factors could affect the flexibility, pricing, and availability of STR properties for tourists.' Artist builds Aus first aircrete dome home 'Tourists — whether travelling for work or leisure — will have fewer Airbnb options to choose from in certain cities or regions.' 'As a result, many may have no choice but to turn to traditional accommodation options like hotels or holiday apartments.' Ms Ma said the rise of Airbnb and other short-term rentals had a 'profoundly positive impact on the tourism industry'. 'Not only do they provide affordable, flexible options for both business and leisure travellers, many cleaners, gardeners and tradies have the opportunity to work close to home.' 'Tourists staying in Airbnb accommodations tend to spend money in different ways than hotel guests. They often cook their own meals, shop at local supermarkets, and visit cafes and other neighbourhood businesses.' 'Additionally, they are more likely to explore areas beyond traditional tourist hotspots, which leads to a broader distribution of tourism spending across the local community.' According to the ATO, during the two-year ban period it was possible for foreign investors to buy established property only if they would demolish it to build at least 20 additional dwellings on the land within 4 years from the date of approval. 'We generally approve applications to buy and develop an established dwelling it if significantly increases Australia's housing stock. This applies to development proposals to: retain an established dwelling; demolish an established dwelling, or redevelop vacant land that previously had a dwelling on it.' But it said different rules applied to applications made from April 1 2025, where the established property being bought had to be vacant at settlement and no part of it was to be occupied until the new dwellings were complete. When buying or selling residential land, foreign investors must also notify the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, and may also need to pay additional taxes like a foreign investor surcharge duty and land tax depending on location and property type.
