Airbnb In Vancouver - Warning

Arkers

I wanted to share my recent experience as a warning to others. I made a booking through Airbnb a couple of months back for an upcoming holiday for 5 of us next June. This booking has been cancelled by the owner as a result of recent changes of legislation in Vancouver which from April is banning what they call short term lets. This means that from this date is highly likely that the providers of this type of accommodation could be potentially breaking the law, with the threat of hefty fines.

Before I realised I had made another booking through the same provider. I wish now that I had booked a hotel, but as there are 5 of us, one being my mother this type of accommodation suits us. I'm keeping everything crossed that the booking will be honoured, but I have no guarantees.

The reason behind the changes are to stop the wholesale purchase of apartments that are then rented to tourists at a premium and to release housing stock for local people. Whilst I have sympathy with this view it will have a huge impact on those people who rent out a suite/rooms forming part of their houses. The thing is, this type of approach is being taken by local Governments in large cities and is becoming more popular throughout the world.

I find it surprising that the authorities don't stop the fat cat developers instead of trying to stop everyone at grass roots level. However, that is a debate for another day and I just wanted to warn others who have booked to go to Vancouver.

Arkers

TonyMMM

Arkers wrote: »

The reason behind the changes are to stop the wholesale purchase of apartments that are then rented to tourists at a premium and to release housing stock for local people.
Arkers

Excellent news ....and indeed many cites are likely to follow this policy.

At least they have given you plenty of notice - friends of mine had an AirBnB booking cancelled 4hrs before they arrived (in New York), they were on the plane at the time. Cost them a fortune in hotel accommodation when they arrived.

Arkers

As I said previously I do have sympathy, but to stop everyone who has a spare room of flatlet is a bit extreme and is surely heavy handed. Not sure stopping this type of accommodation will help housing stock.

richardw

Airbnb is still likely to be permitted where the host is resident.

Arkers

This is the type of booking I made with my host and she explained the legislation was affecting everyone with a separate suite of rooms like hers. A really strict policy by all accounts.

sheramber

Many of the hotels in Vancouver are suite hotels.

In the one we stayed in, Rosedale on Robson, we had a suite of bedroom, lounge, bathroom and kitchenette area.

There was a convenience store across the road if needed.