How will changes to BC short-term rentals affect your travel plans?

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BC’s new regulations for short-term rentals may affect you if you have already booked summer accommodation.

The regulations went into effect on May 1. It is unclear how many short-term rentals will no longer be available in the approximately 60 affected communities; That depends on how many are primary residence units and how many are owned properties, such as condominiums. by investors.

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There will be more clarity on the legislation’s impact on listings and bookings after the first weeks of May, according to AirDNA chief economist Jamie Lane.

AirDNA, which provides data on global short-term rental markets, compared the number of summer bookings between May and August with the same period last year. The results show that in Vancouver, bookings increased by 2.5 per cent, decreased by 20.8 per cent in Kelowna and also by 27.5 per cent in Victoria. In Tofino, which is not affected, bookings increased 9.6 percent.

“We’re seeing different trends,” Lane said.

What you need to know:

What are the regulations?

The province defines a short-term rental as accommodation provided to the public on or within the guest’s property, in exchange for money for a period of less than 90 consecutive days. In communities that have been identified, short-term rentals can only be offered in the host’s primary residence, plus an additional unit, secondary suite, or a street home or garden suite on the property.

Some local governments that have existing bylaws or wish to introduce additional bylaws that are more restrictive will still be able to do so.

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How do they affect me?

Short-term rental hosts in specific communities must meet the primary residence requirement and all hosts must show a business license from the local government. There are communities that already have their own registry of short-term rentals. If hosts do not follow the province’s definition of short-term rentals, as well as existing local bylaws, the community can report this to the province, which will ask a platform to remove the listing within eight days.

There are communities that do not have a local registry or are building one. The British Columbia government is also establishing its own provincial registry, but it won’t be in effect until early 2025. When implemented, hosts will be required to have a provincial registration number on their listings. After this, a provincial compliance unit will be phased in and will be able to investigate non-compliant rentals. These investigations can result in penalties for hosts, ranging from $500 to $5,000 per day per violation, and up to $10,000 for corporations.

If I made a reservation, will it be automatically canceled?

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It is the responsibility of hosts and platforms to cancel non-compliant bookings. Guests do not have to cancel reservations and will not be fined for staying in a non-compliant rental.

Hosts and platforms must have cancellation policies that will determine refunds for guests who have made a reservation. Many hosts require a deposit and the balance to be paid 60 to 90 days before the reservation.

Guests with stays booked after May 1 are advised to check with their host to confirm whether the rental complies with short-term provincial and local government regulations, which include fines for hosts and platforms, but not for users. guests.

Airbnb is seeking clarification on what hosts and platforms legally require regarding cancellations and refunds. He said the legislation does not provide details on this.

The Ministry of Housing stated: “No one should rush to cancel a booking today without speaking to their host… It is up to hosts to make sure they follow the rules – it is not the responsibility of the people making the booking.”

Communities required to comply with short-term rental standards were identified based on demand for long-term rental housing, having a population of more than 10,000 people, or being close to a larger community.

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Another 17 communities, including municipalities, districts, towns and villages that were initially exempt because they were smaller, applied to be included, but the regulations will not apply until November 1.

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