Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Better double-check your summer staycation plans. Airbnb has begun sending thousands of people cancellation notices for stays in British Columbia, amid a dispute with the provincial government over a short-term rental registration process the tech giant says the province has botched. “Airbnb has already initiated some cancellations at properties that are failing validation. Unfortunately, even those that are experiencing technical challenges,” said Alex Howell, Airbnb’s Canadian policy lead. “This is really being done to provide as much notice as possible to guests. “They’re getting a notice from us that basically says we’re really sorry. Unfortunately, due to government regulations, the property that you were hoping to stay at is no longer available" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

An organization representing short-term-rental-unit owners announced Thursday that it has filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court against the province and the City of Victoria in a last-minute bid to preserve their operations ... ... “We believe the provincial government has overstepped their legal authority in imposing legislation that negatively impacts licensed and lawfully operating businesses and property owners" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The open house is all set up, but nobody's coming. There’s plenty of foot traffic outside, but those are mostly Airbnb guests, wheeling bags in and out of the building, and they’re not here to buy a home — just to occupy one for a few days while they still can. In October, the B.C. government announced a ban on short-term rentals that are not in the owner’s principal residence ... ... now the clock is ticking down to May, when these condos’ ability to earn money as short-term rentals will evaporate. That’s leading to a rush of units hitting the market as owners try to get out of pricey investments that seem destined to plummet in value. So far, listing prices haven’t reflected this new reality. Hence the empty open house. “I think a lot of these owners are still in denial,” says real estate broker Dustin Miller ... CLICK HERE for the full story

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has released the following statement on Bill 35, the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act: “Following the NDP government’s rejection of our common-sense amendments aimed at regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb and achieving the necessary balance, we cannot support this legislation. “It is now clear that, instead of providing real solutions, David Eby and the NDP are attempting to find scapegoats for their failure to meet their own housing targets ... CLICK HERE for the full story

B.C.’s two Green MLAs’ frank thoughts on housing go a lot further than the government’s views. But it feels like some New Democrats would quietly agree with them, and are only constrained by the backlash ... CLICK HERE for the full story

BC’s new provincial short-term rental laws are raising many questions, from the exact impact it may have on affordable housing, home prices and even tax fairness. Vancouver affordable housing activist Rohana Rezel calls the provincial government’s proposed legislation on short-term rentals “disappointing” but also “better than nothing.” Two key issues stand out to Rezel: first, the province has sanctioned secondary suites and laneway homes — which are generally championed as affordable housing options across BC — to qualify for short-term rentals. This is a “huge blunder,” said Rezel ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The B.C. government has introduced new legislation to regulate the rapidly expanding short-term rental market in an attempt to return homes to the long-term rental market. The laws are being put in place to crack down on a massive increase in vacation rentals by owners. Under the new rules, when passed, British Columbians will legally only be able to rent out a primary residence and one more additional secondary suite as a short-term rental ... CLICK HERE for the full story