Kitchener considers licensing Airbnb-type rentals
The City of Kitchener is considering licensing short-term rentals like Airbnbs and asking for feedback from both landlords and renters.
At The Laundry Rooms, a short-term rental company offering condo units in Kitchener, the CEO thinks it’s a good idea.
“I think regulation and licensing are probably inevitable, number one. But certainly a positive as far as we're concerned,” Matthew Opferkuch says.
The Laundry Rooms CEO Matthew Opferkuch says he would support the licensing of short-term rentals like the ones his company operates. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
The possible change comes as the city reviews its lodging house bylaw. The bylaw doesn’t currently cover short-term rentals, but could be expanded to.
Helen Fylactou, manager of licensing for the city, says right now, they’re looking for feedback from the public.
“What could we put in place that makes them feel safe and secure, have some consumer protection and can still work with the owners of the property, the neighbours and the residents residing in these,” Fylactou explains.
Short-term rental licensing could also cover accessory units like sheds or tiny homes, driveways, parking spots, pools and backyards.
The city is eyeing more protections.
Helen Fylactou, manager of licensing for the City of Kitchener, says licensing short-term rentals would provide protection for property owners, renters and neighbours. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
“Licensed properties that are regularly inspected and are safe for the neighbouring properties add a level of security for the property owner and are safe for the people renting these properties,” Fylactou says.
While it’s too early to say what licensing would look like in Kitchener, in Waterloo licences are only needed for low-rise residential units like duplexes or townhomes.
The Laundry Rooms sees licensing as a benefit for high-rises too, and hopes it will weed out bad actors.
“We're hyper aware of things like human trafficking and we want nothing to do with that in our business, frankly,” Opferkuch says. “And I think it would be good if the city adopted similar strategies to avoid the pitfalls of short-term rentals.”
The city’s public feedback survey is open until June 6.
The hope is the input will lead to long-term benefits for short-term rentals.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.