# 2019-033 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program – Temporary Dual Residence Allowance Policy Review, Relocation benefits

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-02-20

The grievor used Airbnb for his accommodations needs during his house hunting trip (HHT); but, upon return, he was denied reimbursement for the Airbnb cleaning and service fees. He submitted a grievance in an attempt to be reimbursed for these fees. However, during the review of the grievance, the Initial Authority found that Airbnb was not an authorized form of accommodations, and therefore the grievor could only be reimbursed the non-commercial rate for his HHT accommodations and directed recovery of the overpayment. As a result, the grievor was now out-of-pocket over $1,500 for his HHT.

The Committee determined that while Airbnb was a fairly new type of accommodations, there was nothing in the Treasury Board policy framework which specifically prohibited its use. On that basis, the Committee found that the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration had exceeded their authority in issuing direction prohibiting the use of Airbnb. The Committee also found that Airbnb should be considered commercial accommodations and that the service and cleaning fees are part of the actual and reasonable costs of that type of accommodations.

The Committee recommended that the grievor be reimbursed for the full cost of the Airbnb he used during his HHT, including the service and cleaning fees.

FA decision summary

The Final Authority (FA), the Chief of the Defence Staff, agreed with the Committee that the Airbnb the grievor stayed in during a HHT fell within the definition of commercial lodgings under the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program and that the grievor was entitled to reimbursement of the corresponding expenses, including cleaning and service fees.