Latest news with #AirbnbCanada
Hamilton Spectator
28-04-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington's short-term rental bylaw takes effect May 1. Here's what the licence costs
Less than a week before Burlington's short-term rental regulations take effect, the city awaits news on a federal funding application to pay for enforcement. Local short-term rental operators, who use online platforms like Airbnb, could apply for a required licence as of Thursday, April 24, but the city had not yet hired new staff to enforce the bylaw that comes into effect May 1. Communications staff said education and enforcement for the new bylaw will be managed through bylaw enforcement's existing operating budget. 'This approach enables the city to implement and enforce the bylaw within its approved resources,' a spokesperson said. The city anticipates Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will formally announce details of successful funding applications to its Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund after the April 28 federal election. City councillors approved the new bylaw in a Jan. 13 special council meeting , in order to meet a Jan. 24 deadline for the federal funding application. But city and federal staff won't say yet if the application was successful. 'We are unable to share specific details regarding ongoing discussions and funding opportunities,' a city spokesperson said. A staff report earlier this year stated a $300 licence fee would bring up to $150,000 a year to pay administration costs, but would not cover enforcement costs. Staff said it needed the federal grant to fund two full-time bylaw officers dedicated to short-term rental enforcement. 'Without funding, staff will need to prioritize this enforcement over other areas in the city,' the report states. 'Council must approve this proposed licensing bylaw prior to the funding application deadline of Jan. 24, 2025. Failure to approve by this time would prevent Burlington from applying for enforcement funding of approximately $100,000 (to) $4.8 million.' The fund provides grants to municipalities of up to $4.8-million over three years, to support local enforcement of short-term rental restrictions, in hopes of making more long-term housing available. A department spokesperson said applications received by Jan. 24 were reviewed and decisions communicated directly to applicants by March 3. '(The department) does not provide details that have not been publicly released regarding its discussions with partners,' the spokesperson said. 'All non-critical announcements are suspended until government business resumes in full after the April 28 election.' Details on the new bylaw, regulations and requirement for a licence, and the online application form, is available on the city's website . Short-term accommodations will be allowed to be rented for a maximum of 28 consecutive days, and a total of six months per year. According to the city's website, the bylaw is intended to address issues of housing affordability, neighbourhood nuisances such as noise, garbage and parking, and safety, including maintenance and compliance with building and fire codes. Alex Howell, Airbnb Canada policy lead, questioned the goal of increasing housing availability. Howell said Statistics Canada reported the number of Burlington short-term rentals that could potentially become long-term dwellings, compared to the available housing supply, is just .09 per cent — less than the national average. 'While we are always open to working collaboratively with municipalities on thoughtful regulations, there is no evidence to suggest that short-term rentals are driving housing concerns in Burlington,' Howell said. According to the Statistics Canada data from 2021 , there were 346 short-term rental units in Burlington, including 67 potential long-term dwelling units.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This popular city is only allowing Airbnbs for 3 months of the year
This week, Montreal's city council passed new rules limiting Airbnbs to only the summer months. Starting this year, short-term rentals will only be allowed from June 10 to September 10. Montreal is one of several cities limiting short-term rentals, but its summer-only rule is unique. Montreal is the latest city to crack down on Airbnbs. On Tuesday, its city council passed new rules that mandate Airbnbs can only operate during the summer. Effective this year, Airbnbs and other short-term rentals will be permitted from June 10 through September 10 exclusively. Before, properly licensed hosts could welcome guests year-round. Supporters hope the new rules will improve the current supply of housing for locals who sign longer leases, according to the agenda minutes from Tuesday's meeting. In a statement, Airbnb denounced Montreal's new rules and urged the city council to reconsider. From September 11, 2023, to June 9, 2024, Airbnb hosts in Montreal welcomed over 400,000 guests, the company said. "Rather than enacting sensible regulations, the City is unfairly punishing responsible everyday residents who share their own space — more than half of whom rely on this income to afford their homes during a cost-of-living crisis," Airbnb Canada policy lead Alex Howell said in an email to Business Insider. Montreal is not the only major city rethinking its rules for short-term rentals. In Budapest, the body governing Terézváros — a hip downtown neighborhood — banned Airbnbs altogether last year. In New York City, some residents have complained a citywide ban implemented in 2023 went too far. Montreal has attempted to crack down on Airbnbs before. In 2020, Quebec — the province Montreal is located in — required hosts to apply for a license, post their license number on their physical residence, and restrict stays to 31 days or less. By April 2023, at least four of Montreal's 19 boroughs went a step further and created zones that outright banned short-term rentals. The city, however, has had a tough time enforcing the regulations. As of March 19, 2025, independent watchdog group Inside Airbnb estimates that 47% of the city's 9,722 listings are unlicensed. According to the agenda minutes from Tuesday's meeting, a Montreal task force that was charged with finding illegal Airbnbs delivered disappointing results. A team of one commissioner and three inspectors uncovered only 126 unlawful listings over an 18-month period. Keeping vacation rentals seasonal may make it easier to spot whether a home is being illegally listed. "If anybody is operating an Airbnb in Montreal in February, the city knows without a single inspection that it is illegal. That is going to make enforcement so much easier," David Wachsmuth, a professor at McGill University in Montreal, told Canadian news station CBC. Montreal city councilor Alia Hassan-Cournol told CBC that local officials will monitor results this summer and make changes to the law if necessary. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Montreal cracks down on Airbnbs, telling them they can only operate during the summer
This week, Montreal's city council passed new rules limiting Airbnbs to only the summer months. Starting this year, short-term rentals will only be allowed from June 10 to September 10. Montreal is one of several cities limiting short-term rentals, but its summer-only rule is unique. Montreal is the latest city to crack down on Airbnbs. On Tuesday, its city council passed new rules that mandate Airbnbs can only operate during the summer. Effective this year, Airbnbs and other short-term rentals will be permitted from June 10 through September 10 exclusively. Before, properly licensed hosts could welcome guests year-round. Supporters hope the new rules will improve the current supply of housing for locals who sign longer leases, according to the agenda minutes from Tuesday's meeting. In a statement, Airbnb denounced Montreal's new rules and urged the city council to reconsider. From September 11, 2023, to June 9, 2024, Airbnb hosts in Montreal welcomed over 400,000 guests, the company said. "Rather than enacting sensible regulations, the City is unfairly punishing responsible everyday residents who share their own space — more than half of whom rely on this income to afford their homes during a cost-of-living crisis," Airbnb Canada policy lead Alex Howell said in an email to Business Insider. Montreal is not the only major city rethinking its rules for short-term rentals. In Budapest, the body governing Terézváros — a hip downtown neighborhood — banned Airbnbs altogether last year. In New York City, some residents have complained a citywide ban implemented in 2023 went too far. Montreal has attempted to crack down on Airbnbs before. In 2020, Quebec — the province Montreal is located in — required hosts to apply for a license, post their license number on their physical residence, and restrict stays to 31 days or less. By April 2023, at least four of Montreal's 19 boroughs went a step further and created zones that outright banned short-term rentals. The city, however, has had a tough time enforcing the regulations. As of March 19, 2025, independent watchdog group Inside Airbnb estimates that 47% of the city's 9,722 listings are unlicensed. According to the agenda minutes from Tuesday's meeting, a Montreal task force that was charged with finding illegal Airbnbs delivered disappointing results. A team of one commissioner and three inspectors uncovered only 126 unlawful listings over an 18-month period. Keeping vacation rentals seasonal may make it easier to spot whether a home is being illegally listed. "If anybody is operating an Airbnb in Montreal in February, the city knows without a single inspection that it is illegal. That is going to make enforcement so much easier," David Wachsmuth, a professor at McGill University in Montreal, told Canadian news station CBC. Montreal city councilor Alia Hassan-Cournol told CBC that local officials will monitor results this summer and make changes to the law if necessary. Read the original article on Business Insider
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Montreal limits short-term rentals like Airbnb to summer months
Can Montreal finally get control of its illegal Airbnb problem? 2 months ago Duration 2:32 Social Sharing Montreal has put in place new rules that will limit most short-term rentals to the summer months in an attempt to ease the city's shortage of affordable housing. Under a new bylaw adopted Tuesday, rentals through sites like Airbnb will be permitted across the city between June 10 and Sept. 10. The rest of the year, they will only be allowed in registered units within a small zone permitted by the city. Alia Hassan-Cournol, a Projet Montréal city councillor responsible for economic development, said the changes will make more apartments available for long-term renters, and that hotels can replace the option of renting an Airbnb. The city will be monitoring the impact of the bylaw and make changes if necessary, she said. Montreal has struggled to get a handle on short-term rentals, despite attempts to further limit illegal rentals following a fatal fire in Old Montreal in 2023. WATCH | 2 years after deadly Old Montreal fire, victim's families still waiting for answers: 2 years after deadly Old Montreal fire, victim's families still waiting for answers 1 day ago Duration 1:43 Seven people died in the fire that broke out in a building that was mainly used for short-term rentals in Montreal. A criminal investigation and a civil case are underway. Quebec's coroner is also set to conduct an inquiry. According to the city, more than half of roughly 4,000 units currently available on the short-term rental market are illegal. The changes could therefore free up 2,000 units to the long-term rental market. Previously, it was up to inspectors to gather evidence and bring a case against a property owner, who was presumed innocent. Now, similar to traffic offences, property owners will have to contest fines. Inspectors will be able to issue $1,000 fines directly to offenders for each day the rules are broken. Additional fines of $2,000 may also be issued for each day of recidivism. Airbnb calls move 'shortsighted' In a statement, Alex Howell, a representative for Airbnb Canada, called the proposal "extreme and shortsighted" and said it would hurt "industries that rely on tourism year-round like retail, restaurants, and other small businesses." Airbnb declined an interview request. David Wachsmuth, an urban planning professor at McGill University, said the changes will make it easier for the city to enforce the rules while not "completely destroying" the short-term rental market, which is busiest during the summer. "If anybody is operating an Airbnb in Montreal in February, the city knows without a single inspection that it is illegal. That is going to make enforcement so much easier," he said. Julien Hénault-Ratelle, Ensemble Montréal's housing critic, said the new rules should also include an exemption during winter months, from Dec. 15 to March 15.
