$2,500 fines for short Term Rentals in Canmore

[Weitz]

Interesting change going on in Canmore.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...ines-1.4302111

The Town of Canmore is cracking down on illegal vacation rentals, and property owners caught breaking the rules are facing thousands of dollars in fines.

After an awareness campaign this summer informing residents of the rules surrounding short-term rentals, the town began issuing tickets — three $2,500 fines so far.

"You need to have a permit to allow you to rent your house in that short-term fashion. And these properties don't have that authorization," said Canmore planning and development manager Alaric Fish.

Not sure how I feel about this. I currently have a place rented for March (legally apparently) but I know others will be looking and out of luck. My brother lives in town and is having a hard time to find a place to buy due the housing crunch so I understand where they are coming from.

[Locke]

In other news the name 'Alaric Fish' is pretty bitchin'.

He should be a supervillain. Are we sure he doesnt have some nefarious Mountain Hideaway? Which I presume he would be legally leasing...

[rubecube]

Similar restrictions are happening in Victoria and Vancouver. It sucks for some but when you're in the midst of a housing crunch you kind of have to look at the greater good.

[Northendzone]

I would assume that this crackdown will lead to increased prices at the canmore hotels?

as an aside, how do the authorities catch offenders? do they search airbnb and vrbo daily?

[Ducay]

Good move. I love using AirBnB and VRBO, but that is really just a testament to how much of advantage they have (pricing, standards wise) over the competition.

Like Uber, I think the sharing economy needs just a touch more regulation and fairness to strike that balance that works for everyone.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I would assume that this crackdown will lead to increased prices at the canmore hotels?

How much more could you possibly charge for a hotel per night?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by rain_e

How much more could you possibly charge for a hotel per night?

It's the ridiculous price of hotels in the mountains that prompted me to set up my minivan for camping. My family of four sleeps inside the van because I got sick of paying $350/night minimum for a hotel that I'll spend 10 hours in max. It's such a waste.

[calgaryblood]

They should habe restrictions on hotels not private properties.

If there is a housing crunch don't see how that's the home owners problem.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

If there is a housing crunch don't see how that's the home owners problem.

Perfect example of the FYGM mentality.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

They should habe restrictions on hotels not private properties.

If there is a housing crunch don't see how that's the home owners problem.

You mean the people who are buying residential houses so they can rent them out like hotels to make money instead of living in them or renting them out as residential property?
Those people?
You can't see how/why a housing crunch is their problem?
Why a lack of available residential housing is their problem?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

If there is a housing crunch don't see how that's the home owners problem.

Some people still want Canmore to be a viable community that normal families can live in. That means having enough affordable housing that teachers, nurses, etc. can live in the community.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

You mean the people who are buying residential houses so they can rent them out like hotels to make money instead of living in them or renting them out as residential property?
Those people?
You can't see how/why a housing crunch is their problem?
Why a lack of available residential housing is their problem?

I think a lot of them are vacation homes though that will now just sit empty.

I do think lack of housing is an issue, I don't think this will have too much affect.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I think a lot of them are vacation homes though that will now just sit empty.

I do think lack of housing is an issue, I don't think this will have too much affect.

Then they can probably expect a vacancy tax to follow at some point.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Then they can probably expect a vacancy tax to follow at some point.

Does that work in a destination town like Canmore? That will be tough.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Does that work in a destination town like Canmore? That will be tough.

I think what it means is that people who are only using their vacation homes a couple of times per year are more likely to sell than to worry about renting them out long term, but those who don't use them at all may opt to rent them.

[WCan_Kid]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Then they can probably expect a vacancy tax to follow at some point.

You know that Canmore only exists as a tourism/vacation destination, right? It's basically Whistler with no ski hill attached.

[calgarygeologist]

Canmore will always have a shortage as long as rich Calgarians continue to buy properties out there as weekend getaways. Personally I don't see the appeal of buying a place in Canmore but I know about a dozen couples/families who have purchased homes in Canmore as second or third properties so that they can go out there every weekend or two.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

You know that Canmore only exists as a tourism/vacation destination, right? It's basically Whistler with no ski hill attached.

Well aware of that yes. I doubt a vacancy tax comes into play but it's a possibility if there's still a housing crunch after this.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

You know that Canmore only exists as a tourism/vacation destination, right? It's basically Whistler with no ski hill attached.

As of 2014 Canmore had a permanent resident population of 13,000, vs the 3900 weekend/occasional residents, which IMO doesn't make it strictly a vacation destination. Plenty of families actually live there on a daily basis.

[csnarpy]

Yep, grew up in Canmore, it definitely wasn't a tourist attraction back then. We were the overflow place for Banff. Once the Olympics hit and Banff wasn't allowed to grow anymore then tourism leapfrogged. Sure it has tourism but trust me, it is not Banff and has a stable community intact.