Friday, March 29, 2024

BC government tightens rules on short-term rental units

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The provincial government is making a move to crack down on short-term rental units in support of strata corporations trying to enforce bylaws against these types of rentals.

In a release, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced a change to the Strata Property Regulation that will help strata corporations address issues arising from short-term rentals, while keeping long-term rentals in the market.

At the moment, stratas can enforce bylaws that ban or restrict short-term rentals by fining non-compliers a maximum of $200 per week. This amount will soon be increased to up to $1,000 a day.

Problems arising out of short-term rentals

Aside from leading to a shortage of vacant housing and causing an increase in rent and home prices, there are other issues that also come from short-term rental units.

Some of the most common complaints include unacceptable levels of noise, damage to common property, and security issues in strata communities.

“The new regulations will help define short-term commercial use as a different function than rentals, and provides some very real consequences for the violators,” said Tony Gioventu, executive director, Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C.

“For those strata corporations who prohibit short-term use, this is a valuable amendment. It will require strata corporations to amend their bylaws at a general meeting to permit the higher penalties, which in turn will provide the strata with a great opportunity to make sure the strata’s bylaw complies with provincial legislation.”

The changes will take effect on November 30th, 2018.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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