City launching surveys regarding rental housing and short-term rentals

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 9, 2021 9:00 AM

Summary

The City is seeking feedback from residents and property owners on proposed bylaw changes affecting the use of homes as short-term rentals. The City is also providing an opportunity for renters and landlords to share their experience finding and maintaining homes for rent.

Housing Affordability was among the top three concerns for community members who participated in the first phase of engagement for the City's REIMAGINE NANAIMO strategic policy review completed in January 2021. Consistent with recognizing this concern, the surveys are part of ongoing implementation of the City’s 2018 Affordable Housing Strategy recommendations and the recently completed 2021 Health and Housing Action Plan. Both these documents support ensuring accessible and affordable market rentals for Nanaimo residents.

The Affordable Housing Strategy specifically provides direction to address short-term rentals (STRs) that include the use of online accommodation platforms. The purpose of the review is to ensure that: potential negative impacts of short-term rentals (STRs) on long-term rental housing supply are managed; STR accommodation operators are good neighbours; and that there is equity relating to regulation and licensing among STR operators and other accommodation businesses including hotels and motels. The intent of the review is to find the right balance that protects affordable housing and neighbourhoods while still providing opportunities to support the economy and allow a range of short and long-term accommodation within the City.

The proposed bylaw changes have been drafted based on feedback received from prior community engagement conducted in 2019. The proposed changes include; allowing short-term rentals in all zones; allowing short-term rental of an entire home provided the short-term rental operator lives in the home the majority of the year; requiring a business license for short-term rental accommodation and providing an explanatory guide and operator declaration form for short-term rental operator requirements. In addition to the opportunity to provide feedback to the proposed bylaw changes affecting short-term rentals, the City is also conducting surveys to understand existing rental needs, challenges and opportunities in Nanaimo from the perspective of both renters as well as landlords and property managers.

The surveys are available online on the City’s public engagement website Get Involved Nanaimo until May 12, 2021. Hard copies will be provided to known market rental apartment buildings and can also be provided upon request.

Link to Strategic Plan: Livability: Implement the Affordable Housing Strategy and REIMAGINE NANAIMO Themes: How We Live and How We Care

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