Airbnb-style rentals need regulations, Calgary councillor says

People who use services like Airbnb to rent out their homes might have some red tape to deal with after a Calgary councillor asks the citynext week to regulateshort-term rentals.

Coun. Ward Sutherland says a notice of motion going to council on Monday is intended to create "an even playing field" between Calgary hotels, lodging houses and short-term rentals.

After receivingcomplaintsabout some problemproperties in Ward 1 in the city's northwest, Sutherland found that many short-termrental properties fall outside of city bylaws.

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"What we found out is we don't have any rules at all,any bylaws or anythingto deal with [short-term rentals],"Sutherland told theCalgary Eyeopener."In fact, we can't even go onto the premises at all to even look at it."

Sutherland says the notice is "all encompassing" and will look at business licences, land use and safety requirements for short-term rentals and lodging houses.

"We have lodges, we have bed and breakfasts, we have individuals renting rooms and it's progressing at a very fast pace. And to be honest, we are kind of caught off guard."

Sutherland said there areeight short-term rentals in Ward 1 causing problems. He's been dealing with complaintsrangingfrom loud house gueststorenters using the front lawnof a neighbouring homeas a parking lot.

'Put everything into one basket'

In the notice of motion, Sutherland says many variations of rental agreements are not covered byBusiness Licence Bylaw32M98,which regulates lodging houses, andLand Use Bylaw 1 P2007, whichdefines bed and breakfasts.

He says regulating short-term rentals will increaseowner accountability, establish "fair play" between them and businesses, andmake sure owners are providing a safe stayfor guests.

"Again, we don't have access to the property so we don't know if there are any fire codes being followed, if there's fire detectors [or]anything at all," Sutherland said.

Sutherland says private, short-term rentals have an advantage over a largebusinessbecause short-term rentals are not subject to a four per cent provincial tourism levy onhotel stays in Alberta.

"It's asking to put everything into one basket and come up with some best practices across the country so we have the ability to deal with any issues as they arise."

Sutherland said it's "ironic" that the city has no bylaws in place to regulate short-term rentals while Calgarians looking to create secondary suiteshave to go through a lengthy application process.

"I'm not saying at any point we shouldn't do [short-term rentals]. I'm pro-business and there's many reasons to do it," Sutherland said. "But we have to make sure that it's safe and it's fair."

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener