Gun violence all too common at Airbnb rental properties
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The condo on the 32nd floor of a Queens Wharf development where four men were shot — three of them killed — late Friday is exactly the type of “ghost hotel” property that City Hall and activists groups (such as Fairbnb) have been trying to stamp out.
“Toronto took the strong step of passing a by-law restricting short-term rentals to people’s primary residence,” Councillor Joe Cressy tweeted Saturday. “That by-law is not in force as we wait for legal appeals to be completed. That shouldn’t stop AirBnb from voluntarily applying these rules today. They can and should.”
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MP Adam Vaughan tweeted, “We have a significant challenge with AirBnB in condo communities. Street crimes are happening in hallways. We need to rethink safety strategies.”
An Airbnb Canadian spokesman said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred in Toronto last night and our thoughts are with all who have been impacted — including the victims and their loved ones as well as the neighbouring residents.”
“We are in close coordination with Toronto Police Services to offer our full support of their investigation into this senseless gun violence,” the Airbnb spokesman said. “We have zero tolerance for this type of behaviour, and we ban both party houses and unauthorized parties on our platform.”
That ban doesn’t seem to be working.
Airbnb has now booted the booking guest from their platform and suspended the unit. Airbnb also prohibits “open invite” parties and all unauthorized parties and events in their units.
However, in rentals where the host is not present, things are always more difficult to control.
Last November, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky stated the company would start to ban “party houses” and would combat unauthorized parties, attempting also to stop abusive host and guest conduct. That came after a year of violent incidents — including the five shot to death at a California Halloween party — at Airbnb rentals in the U.S. and Canada.
In Toronto alone there were half a dozen shootings and more than one death at Airbnb properties in 2019.
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GTA AIRBNB PARTIES GONE BAD IN 2019
APRIL: At an Etobicoke mansion, one man was shot during a large party; neighbours reported the house was still being used for party events months later.
MAY: A man was shot to death during a prom after-party at an Airbnb property in Stouffville.
AUGUST: A man was seriously injured by gunfire outside a Bridle Path Airbnb rental. Neighbours said they had already registered complaints about the party property with Airbnb.
SEPTEMBER: Busi Mlotshwa, an Airbnb host in Maple, had her house, car and garage sprayed with bullets after she stopped a party and evicted guests.
OCTOBER: A person was shot and killed at an Airbnb rental in Newmarket.
DECEMBER: A shooting took place during a party at an Airbnb rental near Pape and Danforth Aves.
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