Province changing rules around Airbnb and other short-term accommodation rentals

The Nova Scotia government has introduced two bills aimed at short-term rentals but is in no hurry to impose rules on Nova Scotianswho use popularsites such as Airbnbor VRBO.

The province says that whilethe two bills set out some of the changes planned, it willtake another year to iron out the details.

Tourism Minister Geoff MacLellan also announced today that the province is scrapping the rules that currently govern hotels, motels and inns, in a movedesigned to appease the traditional accommodations industry.

"I don'tthink anyone requires a clock radio be in the room anymore," he said.

"Things such as ashtrays and things that are [currently required] in the room, lamps, the number of coat hangers that would be required in a room, distance from the bed to the wall these things are all stuff that are obviously redundant."

One of the bills introduced today ensuresany "small-scale residential tourist accommodation" is assessed for property taxes at a residential rate rather than as a business. The other will encourage Nova Scotianswho rent property to list accommodations online to register with the province.

What constitutes a "small-scale" accommodation remains to be determined.

The province also has not decided how much to charge people to register their accommodations. People who rent the home they live in will not have to register.

MacLellanrejected the notion the online rental market might force more traditional businesses into shutting down.

"I think it's going to do absolutely the opposite and I trust that's the case." he said.

Alexandra Dagg, public policy director for Airbnb Canada, applauded the provincial government "for recognizing and moving to regulate home sharing through fair, easy-to-follow rules."

"The travel industry is transforming, and we are encouraged to see the government modernize their rules to reflect the way people want to travel," she said in an email.

"Airbnb tourists can explore more of Nova Scotia than ever before by accessing accommodations outside of traditional tourist areas. They also support local businesses by spending more time, and more money in the neighbourhoods where they stay."

TheTourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia also said they werepleased with the changes in a statement.

They go"a long way in addressing the proliferation of unregulated accommodation in the province," saidDarlene Grant Fiander, president of the tourism association.

The industry groups noted that tourism is a$2.7 billion industry in Nova Scotia, employing more than 40,000 people.