Vancouver law firm seeking claimants for cash payouts in $500K settlement with Airbnb

Vancouver's West Point Law Group says surprisingly fewpeoplehave come forward to file claims in a $500,000 settlement of two class action lawsuits against Airbnb,approved bythe British ColumbiaSupreme Court inFebruary.

The lawsuits were filed in 2017, both claiming that the plaintiffs'properties were listed, rented, or licensed through Airbnb without consent. As part of the settlements,Airbnb has not admitted any wrongdoing or liability.

Potential claimants include landlords who allegedlyhad their properties listedonline without their knowledgeand strata or condominium corporations whose common areaswere used by Airbnb renters. Individuals or corporations across Canada are eligible to apply.

"At the time, the issue of Airbnb rentals was in the news a lot,"said Polina H. Furtula, the counsel for the plaintiffs and a lawyer with West Point Law Group. "We estimated the class size to be at least several hundred."

According to Furtula, approximately20 to 30 people havefilled out a claim form and submitted supporting evidence so far. She says she's not sure why the number of people who have responded is so low.

"Maybe they think that the amount that they're going to receive is too small and not worth their time, or maybe they just don't want to bother," she said.

"We decided to extend the deadline and publicize it again in the hopes that more people would come forward."

Changing times

Furtula says things havechanged dramatically since the class actions were filed, as provinces and municipalities have introduced strictbylaws and regulations, often requiring anyone who wants to rent out their property to file for a licence.

Since Sept.1, 2018, all short-term rental operators in Vancouvermust have a business licence and include their licence number in all online listings and advertising. They requireeither strata approval or permission from the landlordto rent out a home short-term before applyingfor a licence.

"The legislative landscape has changed a lot since then," said Furtula, adding that whenAirbnb first appeared on the market, manypeople tried to take advantage of property owners to "try and make a quick buck."

Back when the class actions were first filed, Furtula remembers a woman who contacted the law firmcomplaining that a dog sitter had rented out her apartment while she was away.

"These platforms, especially Airbnb, havereally tried to curb this type of behaviour," Furtula said. "We get very, very few calls or emails with respect to problems with short-term rentals now."

CBC reached out to Airbnb requesting an interview or statement but did not hear back.

Anyone who thinks they or their corporation is eligible for a cash payment can fill out a claims form on the Airbnb Class Action websiteand send supporting evidence by mail or email.

West Point Law Group says the amount paid to each claimant will vary depending on how many people participate.

The deadline to submita claim has been extended to Sept. 30, 2022.