Victoria’s City Council might soon make life difficult for Airbnb hosts, but at least one listing is making the most of the market in the meantime.
At $1,045-a-night, the “Coast house 1&2 with cottage” is the City of Victoria’s most expensive current Airbnb listing.
With an additional $400 Cleaning Fee and $500 Security Deposit, any length of stay will cost a pretty penny.
Space for 16+ Guests
However, with accommodation for over a dozen guests, the listing is by no means millionaire-exclusive.
Sharing 2 houses and a cottage, the Oaklands/Fernwood-based listing is geared towards large vacationing groups.
With 14 beds, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 2 kitchens, the price actually ends up being quite affordable if split between enough people.
With 2 large yards, 2 BBQ’s, a waterfall and pond in the garden, the place seems well-equipped for a comfortable, large-scale weekend getaway. And with bookings through the first half of September, travellers appear to share that view.
Potentially Breaking Bylaws
But like many current Airbnbs in Victoria, the “Coast House” appears to contravene zoning bylaws.
Earlier this month, Victoria city clerk Chris Coates told CBC News that the city usually gives people 30 days to close down a vacation rental business that’s in contravention of zoning bylaws.
After that, the city can impose fines or take that property owner to court.
However, the volume of complaints currently coming in appears to be pushing bylaw enforcement staff to its limits.
It’s unclear whether the thousand-dollar listing has been subject to any complaints so far.
Airbnb Enforcement Could Begin This Fall
City council could be implementing more aggressive enforcement in next few months.
In June, city council asked staff to come up with an enforcement strategy to deal with the increased number of short-term rentals.
That strategy will be presented to council next month. Here are a few photos from the listing.
