In order to increase rental inventory, Vancouver passed a series of rules last year requiring Airbnb operators to register for a license. However, it looks like almost half of Vancouver’s listed Airbnb operators remain unlicensed.
Aside from registering operators, the new rules also limit Airbnb rentals to principal residences. However, out of the 4,720 listings in Vancouver, only 2,628 are licensed, according to city figures. And despite having an agreement with the popular online home sharing service, only 17 licenses have been suspended so far.
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Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart struck a positive cord last month, however, noting that more than 2,000 cases have opened against errant Airbnb operators – and one operator with 35 listings was even levied $20,000 in fines.
“This program is one of many designed to move more supply into the long-term rental market because housing in our city needs to be first and foremost for those who live and work in Vancouver,” Stewart told CityNews Vancouver in mid-March.
Under its agreement with Vancouver, Airbnb provides host information – such as names, email addresses, and license numbers – four times a year, with the city doing the legwork of chasing after wayward operators. And according to CityNews, officials have been reminding operators who are using a 2018 licence that they must renew for 2019 to make sure they are complying with the city’s regulations, noting nearly 70% have already done so.
Duffie is an award-winning writer and managing editor of Key Media’s Manila editorial team.
Originally a visual arts journalist, he has covered important international art events – including the biennales of Venice and Singapore and Art Basel – for various regional and global publications. He now contributes to Key Media’s diverse stable of business titles across different markets, including Mortgage Professional, Insurance Business, and The Educator.
