B.C. Supreme Court certifies class-action lawsuit against Airbnb [Video]

The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a class-action lawsuit against Airbnb that alleges the short-term rental company has breached provincial consumer protection laws by offering unlicensed real estate brokerage and travel agent services.

Justice Elizabeth McDonald says in a decision posted online Thursday that lead plaintiff Margo Ware’s lawsuit against Airbnb meets the test as a class action on behalf of consumers who paid fees or commissions when booking accommodations.

Ware’s lawsuit alleges Airbnb is not licensed anywhere in Canada to provide real estate or travel agent services, nor is it registered as a money services business with the federal government.

McDonald’s ruling says Airbnb and several related companies claimed Ware’s lawsuit was an “abuse of process” and part of a “series of repeated, piecemeal attacks” on the legality of the company’s fees charged to users.

The legal action applies to all those who made a reservation with Airbnb in …