Ontario Woman Shares Warning After Near-Miss Ceiling Collapse at Airbnb

A shocking incident in Kitchener has left an Ontario woman warning others about the potential hazards of staying in short-term rentals. Victoria Nguyen, from Ottawa, was staying at an Airbnb with her family when a section of the ceiling collapsed just moments after she had been in the same area with her young son.

The Incident

Nguyen was in Kitchener to introduce her son to his great-grandparents when her family arrived first at the Airbnb. Her brother and father immediately noticed a sagging section of the ceiling. Despite the warning, they reassured her that it was “no safety hazard” based on a message from the host describing the damage as a small patch of water damage. However, three days into their stay, the ceiling collapsed.

“It happened right in front of my eyes because I was feeding my baby,” Nguyen said. “Suddenly, without any notice at all, it collapsed. It was loud, surprisingly. It was heavy. The drywall went down and it nearly missed my father.”

Nguyen expressed how close they came to disaster, stating, “Me and my son were in the area all morning, so if something had happened to him, I just can’t imagine. It was definitely scary.”

Attempts for Compensation and Airbnb’s Response

Nguyen immediately contacted the host, but after multiple unsuccessful attempts, she reached out to Airbnb for help. The company initially offered a 30 percent refund, which Nguyen felt was insufficient, given the seriousness of the situation. She argued that the listing should not have been allowed in the first place with the unresolved ceiling damage.

Airbnb responded by suspending the listing and ensuring that Nguyen would receive a full refund. However, the host denied any prior communication about the damage, claiming that Nguyen had embellished the story in hopes of securing a full refund.

Expert Opinion on Short-Term Rental Safety

Legal expert Stefan Juzkiw, the founder of Juzkiw Law in Toronto, weighed in on the situation, noting that issues like this are more common than one might think. “They’re just trying to make money off of people that will deal with that because they’re just short-term,” Juzkiw explained. He emphasized the importance of investigating potential safety issues before booking any rental property.

A Call for Change

Nguyen has shared her experience to caution others about the potential risks in short-term rentals. She believes that Airbnb needs to enforce higher safety standards and take these situations more seriously, especially when the safety of guests is at stake. “We’re lucky that no one got hurt,” she said.

Final Thoughts

This incident highlights the need for short-term rental companies like Airbnb to prioritize the safety of their guests, not just their profits. Whether it’s a sagging ceiling or a more dangerous hazard, vacation rentals must be thoroughly checked and maintained to ensure they are safe for occupancy.

Have you ever experienced a safety issue while staying at a short-term rental? Share your thoughts or similar experiences in the comments below.

More…

• https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/ontario-woman-shares-warning-after-a-near-miss-ceiling-collapse-at-her-short-term-rental
• https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2025/01/08/new-rules-for-airbnb-style-rentals-in-kitchener-now-in-effect
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/video/2025/07/28/ontario-woman-says-roof-of-her-airbnb-collapsed-on-family