Airbnb rentals affected by pandemic

Like others in the tourism sector, people offering accommodations through Airbnb are facing an uncertain season ahead. Stacey Creech, who moved from Toronto with her partner to set up a lodging business in Chéticamp said the pandemic has halted a project they’ve been working on for years.

Creech and her partner have been renting rooms from their home through Airbnb for the last three years. More recently, they’ve been building a chalet in newly acquired land in Grand Étang, meant to be rented through the same platform starting this summer. But they’ve decided to hold back the launch due to COVID-19. “It’s a big change” she said. “We were working on it for 2 years now. It’s been pretty much all day every day that we’ve been trying to concentrate on it, so we were really excited to open it up and get everything going this year. So, it was a really big disappointment for all of this to happen.”

They weren’t the only ones. About 252 rentals are currently offered through Airbnb in the Chéticamp and Margaree areas. The number includes motels that offer their rooms on the platform as well. 

Creech and her partner decided to take extra precautions even if Airbnb allows hosts to continue to rent. The house where they live and usually rent rooms in the summer will be offered as a single unit, and the couple will go camping. The new project, Cedar Peak, will have to wait until the situation changes. “We were hoping to open for June,” Creech said. “But even if tourism wasn’t so much of a thing, a lot of the services that we needed to complete it are unavailable right now.” Even if construction has been deemed as essential, COVID-19 safety measures mean there are fewer people providing the service, and lots of names in waiting lists. Creech recalls having to move and install large appliances without the proper equipment. Also, the couple wasn’t being able to get a final chalet inspection.

There are no government programs covering them as a business, although the couple was able to access the Canada Emergency Response Benefit as self-employed workers. Airbnb hasn't provided any financial aid.

For now, the Nova Scotia government requires people coming from outside the province to self-isolate for 14 days, putting a freeze on the flow of tourists that usually visits the region in the summer months.