Vacation rental targeted
Colton Davies - Sep 24, 2018 - Biz Releases

Photo: Contributed

A luxury estate near Kaleden being used illegally as a vacation rental is being taken to task by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Board members voted Thursday to take injunctive action on the property owners of 328 and 320 Highway 3A, where a home on the property has been rented to vacationers this year without a permit.

The home is being rented for a minimum of $1,006 per night. It’s described to be 6,700 square feet with room for 16-plus guests and sits on 83 acres.

Pictures on the listing show renovations were also done to convert the attic into bedrooms, which was done without a building permit.

“Neighbours complained and said ‘what’s going on here?’ Because it’s been marketed on Airbnb and numerous other worldwide websites. And large groups of people were coming with as many as 20 people,” area director Tom Siddon said.

“They’re obviously bypassing our zoning bylaws and our permit process.”

Signs saying ‘do not occupy’ were put at the front of the property by RDOS staff when complaints were received in July, but witnesses said the signs were removed and the property continues to be rented.

“The owner contacted us [in July] and we outlined the expectations in order to bring the property into compliance,” a report from the RDOS said. “They did not respond to our entry request and have since ignored further attempts to resolve the issues.”

According to BC Assessment, the property was sold most recently sold on Sept. 28, 2017, for just over $2.25 million.

The home remains listed for rent on Airbnb, with the host said to be based in Vancouver.


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