Airbnb, as its name hints at, began as just an air mattress on a host’s floor. It, and other short-term rental companies, have grown massively outside that scope, with listings in 28,000 homes in British Columbia.
In the District of North Vancouver alone, the number of STRs has jumped from 653 in January to more than 1,000 this month.
In an acute rental housing crisis, STRs have clearly gotten out of hand.
Just as the District of North Vancouver is set to vote on bylaws that would limit STRs to a host’s principal residence, the province has announced legislation to severely curtail them across B.C.
Municipalities have been loath to enforce their existing bylaws because the size of the fines available to them does not nearly cover the cost of the bylaw investigation and court time required.
We are pleased to see the province stepping up with the investigative and enforcement tools that will make a difference. A scofflaw host won’t be incentivized to put their entire suite on the market for $300 per night if it means a fine of $3,000.
To be clear, not every amateur hotelier is going to offer their STR up for long-term rental, but these changes will help.
With the District of North Vancouver taking the lead locally and the province stepping up with support, there’s no excuse for the City of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver councils.
It’s check-out time for short-term rentals.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
