airbnb toronto

Sketchy Airbnb in Toronto has 10 basement bunk beds for over $600 a month each

An Airbnb listing in Toronto is raising a few eyebrows due to the number of tenants that hosts are trying to cram into a single room for the price, which is suspiciously listed as a monthly rate.

Advertised as a "hostel" within what looks to be a private residence in High Park, the posting shows multiple bunk bed spaces available in a single basement room that is shared between up to 10 men and women.

airbnb torontoWhile hostels are often popular with young travellers for providing a far cheaper, more social form of accommodation than a traditional hotel, this one only offers stays of 28 days or more — very atypical of short-term rentals for people simply visiting.

The price for a bed appears to start at $622 per booking on a random selection of dates that fit the minimum stay requirement. This includes a $398 "monthly stay" discount from the original $1,020 price tag, which feels more like standard rent for long-term residents of the city than anything else.

airbnb toronto"We are offering a quiet stay in one of Toronto's most beautiful area [sic], High Park, with lots of green to explore and a place to cook. It is an old house that needs work but is clean daily and weekly deep cleaning," the description of the place reads.

"One full bathroom for the basement unit. Capacity is eight people or max. 10," it continues, adding peculiarly that most of what should be tourists using the hostel are "gone in day for work" and afternoon sightseeing.

With rampant concerns about the lack of enforcement of short-term rental rules in the city, and also the problematic trend of landlords piling multiple tenants — often international students — into single bedrooms amid our housing crisis, it is understandable why this listing is worrying to the local who flagged it to blogTO.

airbnb torontoEven worse, the listing's amenities show that guests will have access to a kitchen, wifi and washing machine, but no carbon monoxide or smoke alarms.

Photos by

Airbnb


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Real Estate

Proposed Toronto condo tower seeking gargantuan 18-storey increase

$4 million home in exclusive Toronto area hits market for first time in 30 years

Ontario city slashes development charges on new homes amid criticism

An old 1800s Toronto apothecary turned house is up for sale at over $4 million

New legal drama worsens plight of Toronto's troubled megatower

Massive redevelopment plans unveiled for abandoned Toronto bus terminal

Brand new $3.8 million Toronto home looks like it's straight out of a design magazine

Proposed buildings would replace Toronto grocery store and huge parking lots