Chad knows a secret about his landlord.
He knows that his landlord used to rent out the Metrotown apartment Chad now lives in on Airbnb.
He knows this because a friend had seen the place before on Airbnb and recognized it while visiting Chad partway through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was pure coincidence.
Only the landlord lied about the apartment when Chad first rented it, saying that the old tenant had simply moved out when instead the landlord was in a panic to rent out the place as Airbnb business cratered as the pandemic hit hard. Many Airbnb owners did the same thing, offering month-by-month listings to try and make some cash and hoping the pandemic would not last long.
So it’s with this knowledge that Chad is now calling BS on his landlord who now wants him to suddenly move out so the landlord can “rent it out to a family member.”
“Yeah, now that travel restrictions are being lifted, my guess is the landlord wants to post it on Airbnb again,” says Chad, who doesn’t want his full name used because he now needs to find a new place to live. “So he’s trying to get me to leave. I’m not sure what my options are but I wish the guy would just be honest about the whole thing. He’s been lying to me this whole time.”
Provincial officials announced the beginning of Step 2 in B.C.'s Restart Plan Monday (June 14), which will allow British Columbians to enjoy travel across the province for the first time in several months.
Many Airbnb owners have already been renting out their units for many months because some people have been flying into Metro Vancouver despite all the quarantine rules.
But now the floodgates are opening as recreational travel in B.C. opens up and the weather gets better. I’m curious how many people will end up having to move to free up these Airbnb units.
I, personally, am not ready to travel until I get my second dose.
In Step 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan, the following restrictions have been lifted and you may enjoy the following:
- Provincial travel restrictions lifted
- Recreational travel within B.C. allowed
- BC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed
Public health safety protocols, such as mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing, will remain in place during Step 2.
British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities - including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:
* getting vaccinated;
* pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;
* respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;
* following masks guideline;
* respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and
* no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.
- With files from Elana Shepert, Vancouver is Awesome.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
