The big Airbnb debate
 

I always knew this day would come.

Has it sparked something in Anglo-Canada too? Or just here?

AirBnB is a cancer that hopes out vibrant city cores. Look at Venice.

You mean the fire in Old Montreal that killed six people?

It's chewing up the nicest, formerly long-term rental units in the nicer areas of town - which is bad enough - but also making those areas more transient and a bit rowdier. Tourism here is still more fanny pack than meth pipe, but there is enough of the latter to notice.

7, not 6, but especially the huge spotlight that it turned onto the dangers of allowing the operation of hotels allowed to dodge nearly all the safety features required of actual hotels.

Yikes. :hell:

The safety aspect hasn't really come up here as we've had no tragedies yet, knock on wood.

The main issues on the host side have been squatters who refuse to leave, and people who put everything inside the place in a UHaul and try to make it back to Ontario before the host notices and they're stopped by police at the ferry :haha:

The main issue on the guest side is by now AirBnBs are more expensive than hotels, and you have more responsibilities (cleaning fees, putting the linens in the laundry bin before you leave, doing the dishes, etc.). It's really lost its business case, at least here. Just waiting for everyone to recognize that fact lol

The owner might be in trouble.

Part of my portfolio is operated as Airbnbs by a buddy of mine, all in zones where it’s legal at least; he wanted to expand recently, in light of this I’m really going to draw a solid line at doing it in buildings not adapted to borderline-hotel use.

I can't speak for other cities in Canada, but based on the building where I work in Winnipeg, the main purpose of Airbnb seems to be for dealing drugs and escorts.

Lol. Here THE main reason Airbnb is interesting is that it’s legal to kick out the people at the end of their stay.

In Florida, I never ever considered Airbnb, even though now that I think of it, it’d work well (some of my properties are a 10 min drive to the ocean, and it’s a super touristy area).

The only reason to do Airbnb IMO is to avoid crazy pro-tenant laws (such as Quebec’s). If Quebec were less unreasonable, I’d operate like in FL, with only actual long-term tenants and I’d never even have given Airbnb a look.

Not sure if the story made the news for you guys but one of the Airbnb users who burned to death has her 911 call recorded, she was trapped in her window-less bedroom (totally illegal) …

I'd be fine if all Airbnbs were to cease functioning as such, and all that housing returned to people who just need a place to live in their city. The negatives of Airbnbs far outweigh the positives, IMHO.

I hate Air BnBs

My main issue is that as Air Bnbs proliferate, they result in the removal of traditional rental units from the market place, and this at a time when there is a housing crisis in the country.

This is just as, if not more, important than the use of Air BnBs for illicit activities.

They absolutely need to be tightly regulated and controlled - at least as much as hotel properties are (and taxed accordingly).

Nothing here yet, but CBC generally assumes you'll go to the national page and I see it there. The rest of the local media will probably follow this up in a week or so with "After the tragic... should we..."

FYI, the “illicit activities” angle is a pro, not a con: it’s much easier to nip those in the bud when it’s in a building you’re operating as an Airbnb.

I’ve had crack dealers in Airbnbs twice so far, they were a breeze to get rid of. Regular paying tenants who do it, that’s MUCH harder to eliminate (and requires creative solutions).

Some municipal governments in BC have been requiring a business licenses for each location. Usually (but not always) a business license comes with a safety inspection.

Condo boards have been passing bylaws outlawing rentals of under 30 days.

It is a delicate balancing act trying to discourage the practice while still respecting personal property rights.

Personally, I am all for saying if you want to operate a hotel, you should meet the same standards as a hotel. If that happens to be excessively expensive for a single suite hotel, well then maybe you have the wrong business model.

As someone who loves to travel a lot. I honestly love Air BnB's.
It gives you the opportunity to really dive into the place / countries culture you are in. I've gotten to spend a week in Venice in a beautiful apartment for under 100 euros a night. Where as any hotel comparable would have been 4 times that. I love that it gives you the chance to buy groceries and cook local foods.

I will also point out, I never stay in a Air BnB that isn't a "super host". So far, I've never had a bad experience with them. (that could change on my next trip). Or rented in an area that I felt unsafe or saw nefarious activities going on lol.

To counter point I can see why those who are looking for long term rental or home buying are getting annoyed by the influx of Air BnBs. I feel like there has to be a middle ground (essentially back to where it was around 2018 ish). Raise the income tax for Air Bnbs to where it's not as profitable? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I agree with the above comment. AIrbnb is a greater source for all types of trafficking.

Airbnb, etc. has also generated new housing investment and overall rental vacancies aren't near the lows of the 1980s and 1990s. Real estate values are exorbitant but, that has little to do with Airbnb Corporate executive suites existed before Airbnb. Illegal death traps have been around for decades. Airbnb allowed nonprofessionals, good and slum, to broaden their market internationally.

The likeliest outcome is a ban on Airbnb over other legislation to appease the public but, it's not going to stop anything.

Meth pipe tourism?

You should read up on the population decline in Venice, in a large part thanks to residents being pushed out in favour of AirBnBs.