Short term rental consultation must include community and residents

Halifax -- NDP Housing Spokesperson Lisa Roberts made the following statement about the ongoing consultations to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb:

“This week, the HRM has released a survey asking for input about the affect short-term rentals like Airbnb are having on the availability of housing in our community.

The Liberal government is also in the middle of consultations to add regulations to their short-term rentals legislation. However, that consultation is missing a key component in that it isn’t getting input from local residents or community organizations.

Short-term rentals are having a serious impact on peoples’ ability to find a place to live. We need to act more quickly and with a clear focus to ensure people can still live in our towns and cities, not just visit.”

The NDP tabled legislation this fall that would allow municipalities to restrict the creation of new short-term rentals outside of owner-occupied premises, collect appropriate fees and taxes from short-term rentals that are being operated like businesses, and see lucrative platform operators such as AirBnb contribute to revenue for affordable housing.

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