A Vancouver lawyer has some words of caution for renters looking to make a quick buck by subletting their place to a Taylor Swift fan next month.
Kyla Lee wants tenants to remember they risk being evicted if their landlord catches them subletting under the table without permission.
“Everybody’s excited that Taylor Swift is coming and they’re getting the opportunity to see the final shows of the Eras Tour,” Lee told Daily Hive November 14. “But always be careful that you’re not letting your excitement lead you into making bad decisions.”
Subletting a rented space without permission from the landlord is a violation of BC’s Residential Tenancy Act. Tenants who take the “huge risk” could find themselves kicked out of their homes in Vancouver’s expensive rental market, Lee explained.
“If you’re on shaky footing with your landlord, don’t take that risk without clearing it with them first.”
Some entrepreneurial Vancouverites are offering their homes to Swifties for jaw-dropping prices when the singer visits BC Place on December 6, 7, and 8 for the final leg of her wildly successful Eras Tour.
One Craigslist post that Daily Hive saw offered a spare bedroom for $1,250 per night or the entire apartment for $3,500.
Another ad offers fans a room in a small apartment for $700, plus free rides to and from the stadium.
The City of Vancouver said hosts must still abide by its short-term rental rules — they are not being lifted just because Taylor Swift is in town.
“To summarize the regulations: the dwelling must be your principal residence, and the licence number must be posted on all online listings. Any rental for less than 90 days is considered short-term rental and requires a short-term rental licence,” the City explained, adding that a renter would also need approval from the landlord or strata. The fines for hosts can be up to $5,000, and the cost of the licence alone is $1,000.
Lee also recommended anyone offering out-of-town guests a place to stay for the show check what their insurance covers. Home and tenant insurance can typically help if someone is injured or items are damaged during a stay.
“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
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