Owner of London Airbnb that once went viral appeals losing his rental licence
House became site of notorious sorority party, prompting neighbour complaints
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 However, the licence was revoked in July of last year.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.
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 Realtor.ca 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."
Airbnb says party complaints are rare
An Airbnb spokesperson told CBC News they don't verify whether or not owners live in a property in municipalities that have a residency requirement for short-term rentals.
The spokesperson pointed out that Airbnb has, since 2020, had a party ban on properties listed on the platform. Also, the company has not received complaints about the Sunnyside Drive property since the sorority house party last September.
The spokesperson also said that since the party ban came into effect, complaints filed with them about partying are very rare.
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.
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