In the two years that Anuschka Steigemann has rented out her furnished Mount Washington condo, she has never had a problem with tenants at her vacation rental.
That changed in September, when Steigemann said there was a lapse in communication with a couple who recently rented her unit for three months.
“They were a family that reached out and really needed somewhere to rent. I wanted to help them out and give them a hand,” she explained, of the response to a Craigslist posting.
Anuschka Steigemann’s Mount Washington condo before she discovered a theft.
Two weeks into their stay, which began Sept.1, Steigemann received word the couple was looking to break its lease agreement, informing Steigemann there were other renters interested in taking over the lease.
Steigemann agreed it was possible to do so, as long as the tenants were able to pass along the contact information of the people who were going to sublet.
The same bedroom in Steigemann’s Mount Washington condo unit after renters vacated the unit. All they left was the top bunk.
“I messaged them every day and I didn’t hear anything. I got this really bad feeling. I asked my building manager to check on my unit; I thought maybe they just skipped out.”
When her building manager went to check on her condo, she found the rental ransacked. Steigemann estimated more than $10,000 worth of furniture, pictures, decor, kitchen supplies and electronics were stolen.
“They were seen with a big U-Haul, which was strange. The condo was fully furnished and they did not bring any furniture.”
Comox Valley RCMP Const. Rob Gardner confirmed police are actively investigating a theft that occurred at the Blueberry Hills condos on Mount Washington.
He added they are reaching out to anyone who saw people moving contents into a moving truck between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sept. 25.
Steigemann said she is pursuing legal action against the couple in small claims court for $17,000 and was hoping to serve the tenants Tuesday at the courthouse in Nanaimo, where one of the renters was due to appear in court on an unrelated matter, but the suspects did not show up.
“I felt so defeated,” she said and added while she did have insurance on the condo, it does not cover the damages.
“It didn’t seem like it was worth it at the time, but I have definitely learned my lesson.”
On Tuesday, Steigemann received word some of her items were located in a dumpster in Port Alberni. She was able to recover a bed frame and a small whiteboard. Police were made aware of the discovery, she noted.
As for future rentals, Steigemann said she will now only rent through reputable companies such as Airbnb, which provides insurance for owners of vacation rentals.
Police note if the public does have any information about the theft, contact Const. Cucheran at the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 and reference file 17-14352 or to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Similar incidents have occurred with rental units in other centres throughout Vancouver Island.
