Vancouver moves to regulate Airbnb

Vancouver politicians aremovingaheadwith a staff plan that calls for restrictions onshort-term rentals such as Airbnb.

The cityreport,first released last week, urges council to prohibit property owners fromrenting out vacant properties to short-term rental platforms.Such a move could add up to 1,500 rental properties to Vancouver's housing market, the staff report said.

• New Airbnb rules could shut down 1,000 short-term listings in Vancouver, says mayor.

The city is facing a rental housing shortage, and there are concerns that services such as Airbnbremovemuch-needed long-term rental housing from Vancouver'srental market.

On Wednesday, the city's Policy and Strategic Priorities Committee endorsed the staffreport. The proposals won't take effect until staff obtain more input from the public.

Staff areexpected to report back on their findings early next year.

The proposed regulationsare aimed at clamping down on property owners with vacant dwellings who list their homes on short-term rental sites.

Staff to consult public

"We're responding to a crisis oflack of housing," Mayor Gregor Robertson said.

Robertson said the proposed regulations still allow property owners to rent their homes on a short-term basis while trying to protect the rental supply.

They wouldrequire owners to obtain rental permits, post them on the listing site and also pay a licensing fee.

Last month, the mayor revealed a proposal to tax empty or vacant homes that are not principal residences, with the aim of getting empty investment properties back into the rental pool.

However, at Wednesday's committee meeting, some councillorssaid the proposedregulations go too far.

NPA Coun.George Affleck described the report as "overkill'," arguing the restrictions will create a "bureaucratic nightmare."

Others noted that many Vancouver homeowners have come to rely on the income generated by short-term rental to pay steep mortgage and living costs.