Mr. Urquhart’s op-ed in the March 23 Times Chronicle notes a major issue with short-term rentals; notably the fire and safety risks associated with illegal unlicensed short-term rentals (as demonstrated by the recent tragic fire in Montreal). I believe the Town considers short-term rentals to be anything less than 30 days. To ensure the current short-term rental properties receive proper fire and safety inspections, they absolutely should be allowed and licensed; putting their tenants on the same safety footing as patrons of hotels. Failure to do so will encourage the operators to go farther underground. For every rental advertised via Air BnB etc. there are more that already rented by word of mouth, accepting payment by e-transfer with nothing in writing.
One issue with shorter-term rentals has not seen very much public discussion: the nuisance of constant comings and goings and partying the nights away. This is a particular concern with multi-family housing. Even with minimum 30-day rentals, it can happen every two weeks should some landlords elect to rent from the 15th to the 15th of the next month. Therefore, to minimize disturbances to neighbours, I propose as follows:
- Allow short-term rental terms (less than one year) in single family detached homes only.
- Prohibit short-term rentals in duplexes and all multi-family developments, including strata and strata-like developments where a common use area is defined.
Finally, the proposed system of voluntary licensing short-term rentals on a trial basis will achieve nothing, but waste a lot of administrative time and effort. Mr. Urquhart noted the cost to human lives of unregulated unlicensed short-term rentals in Montreal, and points out the possibility of something similar happening here. Therefore, it’s time to draw a line in the sand, make licensing mandatory for all rentals of less than one year, and abandon the all too common practice of “educate, not enforce” Town by-laws.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ken Murray, Osoyoos
