Short-term rentals proliferate in Tri-Cities amid attempted crackdown

They may not be around for a long time, but plenty of rentals are still around for a short time.

Despite the new provincial rules, there are approximately 921 unlicensed short-term rentals advertising in the Tri-Cities, according to data provided by the Ministry of Housing.

That figure represents a 14 percent increase from one year ago, when a market researcher found 807 STRs in the Tri-Cities.

Citing concerns about short-term rentals exacerbating the housing crisis, the province passed new rules May 1 with a goal of getting short-term rental units back into the long-term housing market.

The new rules generally restrict short-term rentals to a homeowner’s principal residence and require owners to display local government business licence numbers.

Coquitlam

Besides its 102 legitimate short-term rental businesses, Coquitlam is home to about 680 unlicensed STRs.

“Unlicensed short-term rentals can be a problem, especially when they have negative neighbourhood impact,” explained the city’s bylaw enforcement manager Aaron Hilgerdenaar.

The city investigates most violations in response to community complaints.

“This ensures a fair and efficient complaint process and mitigates community impact,” Hilgerdenaar wrote in an email to the Dispatch.

Unlicensed STRs can be fined If they don’t comply with city bylaws, Coquitlam staff can also send the matter to the Provincial Compliance Unit, which can remove listings from online platforms, according to Hilgerdenaar.

The city entered into an information sharing agreement with the province for the new Short Term Rental Data Portal to ensure compliance, Hilgerdenaar added.

Following the passage of the new provincial rules, the city is seeing more inquiries and applications for STR licensing.

Port Moody

While it’s difficult to know for sure, it’s possible the city has 130 unlicensed STRs, according to general manager of community development Kate Zanon.

The city hasn’t separated residential business licences into long-term or short-term categories, Zanon explained.

“We are working to revise our processes to enable the tracking of short-term rentals,” she added.

Port Moody is also updating bylaws to allow for the licensing and enforcement of STRs.

Once those measures are in place, the city will conduct building inspections to make sure STRs are safe.

“It is also anticipated that requiring licensing will increase the long-term rental stock to better serve the housing needs of Port Moody residents,” Zanon added.

PoCo

Port Coquitlam has 111 unlicensed STRs, according to the city’s director of development services Bruce Irvine.

“The city will institute a graduated enforcement approach against these listings,” Irvine stated.

The city deals with illegal short-term rentals based on complaints. Port Coquitlam has reported eight complaints over the past five years. City fines are capped at $1,000.

Bed and Breakfasts are the only permitted short-term rentals in Port Coquitlam. The owner must reside in the home and parking has to be provided for the guests.

The city allows for boarding for sports billets and exchange students in all residential zones. Boarders must stay for at least 90 days.

B.C.

Approximately 10,771 STRs are operating illegally in British Columbia, according to a review by the Ministry of Housing.

In early July, the ministry worked with local governments and issued about 1,000 notices of non-compliance and 400 takedown requests to STR platforms, according to a ministry representative.

While the provincial data could include some duplication due to homeowners advertising on multiple platforms like AirBNB and Vrbo, local governments should be able to cross-reference that data to root out illegitimate listings and: “take the appropriate enforcement action,” according to a Ministry of Housing representative.

Across the country

There are an estimated 107,266 STRs in Canada that could serve as long-term housing, according to Statistics Canada.

While the STR industry has become increasingly profitable, the units themselves represent less than one percent of the country’s total housing.

However, that percentage varied in tourist areas, particularly around ski hills.

In Whistler, approximately 35 percent of all housing units are STRs that could serve as long-term housing.