Busloads of sorority girls, strippers, parties: Neighbours fuming about Airbnb-rented home

Neighbours of a London, Ont., home often rented on Airbnb for weekend parties say it's a stark example of how short-term rentals don't work in residential neighbourhoods and create havoc for those living around them.

In the most recent instance of large gatherings at 167 Sunnyside Dr., near Masonville Place, young university women began being dropped off early Saturday morning by the busload for a two-day sorority event.  

"They would get dropped off, get some instructions from some other girls on the driveway, march into the house and be inside for about an hour before coming out chanting and singing their sorority song," said Chris Prater, who lives nearby. "Then they would wait in the driveway for about 25 or 30 minutes before another bus came, dropped off more girls and picked up the ones that were already inside.

"It's not what you want in a residential neighbourhood. It's not an appropriate use of the house. It's a traffic concern, it's noisy and we just didn't sign up for that.," Prater said.  

In London, short-term accommodations such as those provided through Airbnb or Vrbo must have a licence and be the primary residence of the person who is renting.

City of London officials could not give details about the Sunnyside Drive property, but said there's an active investigation by bylaw officers.

"We continue to use corrective actions under the city's bylaws to address violations at this property," a spokesperson said. 

The home was bought in March 2020 for $673,000 and listed most recently in May to August 2023 for $1.2 million.

CBC reached out to Airbnb for comment but did not receive a response by time of publication.

Ward 5 Coun. Jerry Pribil, who has been working with the neighbours, said the city should revisit its short-term rental bylaw to give it more teeth.

"We need to look at what other municipalities are doing." 

Marion Warren lives a few doors away and said the rental is a nuisance.

"There are constantly cars in the driveway, different ones every weekend and sometimes for longer periods of time throughout the week," she said. 

"The noise does filter down to our backyard and our bedroom. If the windows are open at night, we can hear it. This past weekend was the worst, with the busloads of young females from Western [University] showing up. They covered the entire street."