The B.C. government’s new province-wide short-term rental (STR) registry is set to come into effect, but Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis feels it will hurt owners and tourist communities.
“Short-term rentals are essential for resort communities and we have five here, in Columbia River-Revelstoke, and there just isn’t the hotel capacity or other accommodations when we have a huge influx of tourists,” said McInnis.
The provincial government’s SRT registration would require hosts to pay an annual fee, ranging from $100 per year for an STR in a primary residence, $450 per year for a non-primary residence such as a secondary suite or cottage, and up to $600 per year for an entire strata hotel.
“I see this as redundant and unnecessary because municipalities and regional districts already have this in place. To an outsider, this just looks like a cash grab, pure and simple,” said McInnis.
“If the province wanted data on short-term rentals, they could simply tap into the already existing registries that local governments have. This is just an attempt to get into the pockets of resort municipalities.”
For example, Invermere currently charges $400 for the initial business license to operate a short-term rental, with $150 each year for renewal fees. STRs in a single-family residential home in Invermere must pay an additional fee of about $1,000 for a three-year temporary use permit.
With the provincial registration fee, operating an STR accommodation in a single-family primary residence in Invermere could cost about $1,500 for the first year and about $250 per year afterwards for renewal fees.
McInnis feels the fees are exorbitant and can deter people from operating a short-term rental.
“People might pull their listings down and either rent long term or sell their property or what-have-you. They’re not willing to go through another extensive process and pay an additional fee,” said McInnis.
“This will be absolutely devastating to our tourist economy here if people pull their listings down and people cancel their vacations and go elsewhere. This is a very serious issue that I think the government has not fully thought through.”
McInnis says he wants to see an end to the provincial government’s STR registration requirements.
“I understand the province would like to wrap its head around what’s happening with short-term rentals regionally and provincially,” said McInnis.
“Local governments working with the province to provide that information rather than charging the end users who are providing the accommodations is really the only solution I see.”
McInnis says he will send a letter to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon’s office and set up a meeting to oppose the policy.
The MLA asks local STR operators facing challenges to contact his office at [email protected].
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyEastKootenayNow News Alerts.
