I had to be alarmed at the beginning, when my simple questions about security of the place, the keys and the potential access of the third parties to my apartment made Kyle very infurious. I have never accused anyone of anything, but since I have been a lawyer in the past, it only seemed natural to ask all those questions since both Kyle and his girlfriend are not related to me in anyway.
Then, as Airbnb managed to process and negotiate me coming to the apartment, things went fine for a couple of weeks, he even provided me a coffee machine and a very small washing machine. However, then early in December he asked me when I would be away from home, so he could do some house repairs (which might get loud). This is a covid time and we all try to be flexible here, so on the 15th of December I gave him the date. To which he said that you don’t have to leave, but the sounds were so loud, I couldn’t hide in my apartment anywhere. Plus, the wi-fi connection kept disappearing because of the instruments they were plugging in. Then, to my surprise the loud house repairs kept going in December and early in January. That didn’t allow me to concentrate on my studies and relax at home.
On the 26th of December, when I was opening the window in the guestroom, the plastic holders felt off and I immediately have notified Kyle about this issue. The whole window system felt off immediately.
At that moment on the 5th of January, since the lockdown in Toronto was extended to the 10th of February and my initial jobs prospects have vanished into a thin air up until March and considering all the above, I had to cut my budget, so I have tried to initiate a deal with Kyle that would make everyone happy, giving him a 25-day notice, so he would have time to find another tenant, while I would find something more affordable and quieter. Then, he has disappeared for a few days and didn’t want to answer any messages or phone calls from me or Airbnb. Afterwards, the only answer I got from Airbnb was that he has financial plans and he can’t release me from my tenancy agreement. The only alternative I was offered was a 10% discount, so during the covid pandemic and the lockdown he would show my place to random people (which is not essential according to what the province has stated).
Moreover, when I have tried to return the small washing machine which dryer died in two weeks, Kyle has insisted that he can’t enter the apartment because of Covid restrictions and the lockdown, so I had to bring it down (it is rather heavy). But then, the next day he has informed me that he wants to start showing this apartment to some random people.
I have also kindly reminded Kyle about the issue with the window on the 5th of January because it was getting very cold there. It is the 30th of January and the room is barely in use because it is very cold there, now it is – 10 degrees outside.
Then, by the mid of January I have started to get weird kitchen smells through the heating system in the toilet. At first, I was patient because I was exhausted, so I would just turn the fan in my toilet to get rid of it. But then the smells got stronger and stronger and started to reach the bedroom. Kyle didn’t want to check it and said that no one is cooking and that I am the first to complain, so it must be my very sensitive nose.
It’s 31st of January and the wi fi connection has gone again.
Kyle will fix the issues only when the matters concern him directly.
Plus, there are some issues with shelves in the bathroom, a very small sink – but those are the issues you can disregard in general.
Then the smells started to come from Kyle’s apartment, but Kyle told me it’s the issue with my nose and refused to come and see for himself. I later came down and smelled it was all coming from his apartment.
You can’t also sleep in the bedroom because of the noises of the heating system. It’s either that or sleep with no air in the room at all.
Also, the walls are so thin, it is as if you live with your landlord sometimes, even though you are based on different floors. The area at the bloor st between Ossington and Dufferin is very sketchy, especially at the evening time. Not the best place to come if you have children.
It is a fine place to stay for a couple of weeks, but if you are looking for a place to stay for 3 weeks and longer, I would recommend you to look elsewhere. I have stayed in so many places all across the world, but I have never come across anything like this. Especially, when one would expect people be nice and kind to foreigners in their home country in the middle of pandemic.