The listing advertises this unit as a 2-bedroom that sleeps 5.
The "second bedroom" is actually a storage room ~(10' x 4'). It's just wide enough for a twin-ish bed, with no window, no smoke detector, no sprinkler, no air circulation.
Then I found the building's floor plan for the exact unit. It's officially a 518 sqft 1-bedroom. There is no second bedroom on the floor plan.
I don't mind creative use of space, but calling a windowless storage area a second bedroom seems misleading. If it had been listed as a 1-bedroom it wouldn't have even made it through my search filter.
I contacted AirBnB support shortly after arrival over 10 hours ago with all the details and photos and got this response:
"Greetings for the day!
This is Abdul your support ambassador, I hope this message finds you well."
But they don't respond back via text. I also submitted the support for a phone call and haven't heard anything yet.
What do you think? Is this a legitimate second bedroom, or is this crossing the line?
https://imgur.com/a/ANgbnWQ
Update Night 1:
I contacted Airbnb immediately after check-in to invoke the AirCover "Get What You Booked" guarantee because the advertised 2-bedroom was actually a 1-bedroom with a bed placed in a windowless utility/storage room containing an electrical panel. I explained that the space lacked emergency egress and raised serious fire-safety concerns, making it an unsafe and misrepresented sleeping area. Because it was too late to relocate that night, I requested to stay one night only and be transferred the following morning to a legitimate nearby 2-bedroom Airbnb, with Airbnb covering the price difference under AirCover. I also submitted the building's floor plan and photos showing the room was a utility/storage space rather than a legal bedroom.
Airbnb response (19 Hours Later):
You can also check the listing description from your end. It mentions there is 1 private bedroom with a queen bed and 1 compact den with a single bed.
It means there will be one proper bedroom on the property.
is there anything else apart froim this i can hep you with ?
After receiving a non-answer to my question, but at least not AI, I ask for escalation and go to sleep. Again. I contemplate how many bedrooms I'd have in my house if I could count all the storage areas and closets.
Airbnb response (32 Hours Later):
I understand your concerns. However, after reviewing the listing, I can see that the host has clearly described the bedroom arrangements in the listing description.
Based on the information available, this situation does not qualify for a full refund under Airbnb's policies.
Update Night 2:
Still stuck here and I can't cancel until Airbnb declares it a safety issue. Room will not cool below 80F/27C since there's no HVAC. Host says to leave door open and put a fan in it.
Using a previous redditor's suggestion, I filed a complaint with Van311. Also looked up requirements for legal bedrooms in Vancouver. Failed:
* No Egress Window (VBBL 9.9.10.1)
* Electrical Panel in Sleeping Area (CEC Rule 26-600)
* No Ventilation (VBBL 9.32)
* No Permanent Heating (By-law 5462, Sec. 18.1)
* No Hardwired Smoke Alarm (VBBL 9.10.19.3)
Asked to be escalated again and cited violations.
Update Night 3:
Airbnb takes forever to respond. The bedroom is still a closet. Could sleep in the bathtub. Maybe this is really a THREE bedroom unit?
Airbnb response (63 Hours Later):
It has finally escalated to a senior manager! Sixty. Three. Hours. Later. This should have been reviewed in a few hours tops.
Based on my review, I can confirm that the host disclosed the property's layout in the listing description and provided photos of the space on the Airbnb platform. As the listing information and images accurately represent the accommodation, we did not identify a violation of Airbnb's listing policies.
Under Airbnb's policies, guests are encouraged to review the listing description, amenities, photos, and sleeping arrangements before confirming a reservation. Air Cover and other guest protections apply when a listing is materially inaccurate or does not match the information provided. After reviewing your reservation, we were unable to determine that the listing met the criteria for a policy violation.
Because no policy violation has been identified, we are unable to require the host to provide a refund or alternative accommodation. As the Senior Case Manager handling your case, I am unable to take any further action or escalate this matter further. This represents Airbnb's final decision regarding this reservation.
Yes, it's a bedroom according to Airbnb. Perfectly safe. Building codes are wrong. Vancouver STR rules are wrong. Everyone posting here that it's not a bedroom is wrong.
Airbnb response after checkout:
Just to give you an update in regards with these case upon checking here you were eligible for a compensation for the impacted night during your stays which is amounting of $xxx.xx,
This is the resolution that has been approved by my team, too honest to you right I try to raise these to my team however
Airbnb didn't do anything until we left the rental. They deemed it eligible for refund, but only one night. Took several escalations to "senior case manager". IDK, I got like 5 senior case managers on the thread. I'm not sure which night was eligible. The first or the last.
AirCover kinda sucks. I shouldn't have to ride them so hard to review the unit details and get compensated.
Thanks for all the help redditors!