'This is a very serious issue': Growing concerns over illegal Airbnb listings flooding the Vancouver market
CTV
City Councillor Lenny Zhou says he's working with staff to figure out just how many illegal short-term rental units are operating in Vancouver.
City Councillor Lenny Zhou says he's working with staff to figure out just how many illegal short-term rental units are operating in Vancouver.
"Some people are actually not using their principal residence, (they're) using their investment unit as a short-term rental. That's not right," Zhou told CTV News. "This is a very serious issue. For one, our city is experiencing a housing crisis and some people are taking advantage of the system and trying to make some money using some illegal short-term rental."
Under City of Vancouver regulations, you need a valid business licence to operate a short-term rental, and it’s illegal to operate a short-term rental that isn’t your principal residence.
According to city staff, there are 4,084 active listings for short-term rentals in Vancouver. So far in 2023, 132 licenses have been suspended, 120 violation tickets were issued and 54 units were flagged for investigations and audits.
The current fine is $1,000 per violation, the maximum allowed under provincial law. Zhou believes that needs to change.
"This is too low," said Zhou. "For short-term rentals you could probably make up the money in 2-3 days."
Zhou couldn't provide an estimate of how many illegal units are operating, but says his research has returned some eye-opening figures.
