Dear Editor,
Re: “Welcome to the house hotel,” News, Sept. 30.
Thank you, Graeme Wood for investigating illegal house hotels. Our neighbourhood has suffered noise, speeding traffic and litter from an Airbnb operation for the last year.
Owners rent out the whole house to groups of locals and tourists — a favourite venue for large parties. Where else can you get a five-bedroom house for a humongous party for $500?
A few months ago, a large party was broken up by the RCMP with three cruisers. Two ambulances were also required. In the rush to escape, cars scattered, including using our lawn to make a U-turn.
We face parties and large groups almost every weekend and sometimes during the week.
Unfortunately, a friendly talk to the owner is not possible as the house is deserted, except when a multitude of renters show up.
The city says it reacts to complaints. This hasn’t worked for us.
The city’s bylaws office says it doesn’t deal with noise from short-term renters or parties and have no power to address Airbnb rentals.
They suggest we call the RCMP.
The RCMP says it cannot talk to the home owners and suggested we go to the city bylaw office.
Get the circular picture?
Thank you, RCMP for attending to individual parties. But a solution, before we are woken up in the middle of the night again, is not in sight.
Too many houses in our formerly quiet neighbourhoods are being operated like hotels and party rental halls.
This is quite different from a resident quietly renting out one room to supplement their mortgage.
Lost sleep and disruption continues!
The city needs to shut down these operations.
Steven Guthrie
Richmond
