A couple in Metro Vancouver is offering a free stay for two Taylor Swift fans who really need a break financially.
Jerome Deluca, who lives with his wife in Coquitlam, said they’re willing to make the master bedroom of their home available for two fans who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go because of the cost of accommodation.
“My wife just wanted to do something nice for somebody,” he said. “I hold the basic philosophy that trust creates honesty.”
Deluca is 78 years old and owns a custom cabinetry business. His wife is a retired nurse. They live comfortably in their three-bedroom home and say they don’t need the money. They just want to prevent someone from getting ripped off by high accommodation prices that weekend.
Deluca doesn’t have social media and turned to Daily Hive for help spreading the word about his offer of free accommodations.
Ideally, the couple would like to help a mother and daughter or two friends attend the show.
The visitors would have their own key to come and go and would sleep in the master bedroom with their own ensuite bathroom.
Deluca only asks that guests be quiet when coming home after they’ve gone to bed. They also said no thanks to teenage guests — a teen would need to be visiting with a parent.
“I think in some cases, just getting the tickets is a big ask. Plus the travel. So if we can be of help, then whatever they were going to spend on normal accommodation they would be able to have that for walking around money,” he said. “We just thought this would help. We don’t want it to be a business.”
Taylor Swift is coming to BC Place on December 6, 7, and 8 for the final leg of her wildly popular Eras Tour. Tickets to the shows sold out quickly, but resale seats are available on StubHub for as high as $16,000.
Stubhub.com
Accommodation prices are sky-high for the weekend. The cheapest option currently available on Booking.com is a room with a shared bathroom for $353.
Booking.com
Some locals are renting their homes under the table for jaw-dropping prices.
Vancouver lawyer Kyla Lee advised keen Swifties and those looking to make a profit from the singer’s visit to consider accommodation and hosting decisions carefully.
“If you’re not dealing with your accommodations within a proper platform or through a hotel it’s a lot harder for you to have a remedy if they do something,” she said
On top of the usual safety concerns when staying with a stranger, Lee said guests should look into purchasing travel insurance. Also, they could consider asking their host about the home insurance or renter’s insurance in place — and if out-of-town guests are included in coverage.
“If you trip and fall on your way out the door, for most people, your home insurance will cover it. But if they don’t have home insurance, you may be out of luck.”
Lee also advised renters hosting guests or surreptitiously subletting their apartments to think seriously about the possibility of eviction in Vancouver’s hot housing market.
“Everybody’s excited that Taylor Swift is coming and they’re getting the opportunity to see the final shows of the Eras Tour,” Lee said. “But always be careful that you’re not letting your excitement lead you into making bad decisions.”
As for Deluca, he isn’t offering the room to make a profit.
He first learned about Taylor Swift when the wildlife rescue organization he volunteers with named an injured bird after her. Then when the couple heard about the sky-high prices associated with her concert, they knew they wanted to help.
“We would really like to help somebody who’s financially disadvantaged,” he said. “We want to make this available to people who deserve it.”
If you think you’d be a good fit for staying in Deluca’s Coquitlam home, he asks you email him at [email protected] with the subject line “Swift Room.”