Renters and Airbnb landlords square off as Toronto considers new short-term rental rules
TORONTO — Politicians in Toronto will be scrutinizing proposed rules for short-term rentals this week that could spell major changes for those who offer secondary residences for rent on platforms like Airbnb.
Among the raft of regulations going before city councillors is a rule that would ban short-term rentals of homes that aren’t the landlord’s primary dwelling.
Some tenants are heralding the proposed regulations as much needed in a city grappling with high rents and low vacancy rates, while those who offer secondary residences on home-sharing platforms like Airbnb argue the rules would be punitive.
Under rules put forward by city staff, short-term rentals of 28 days or less would be allowed in up to three rooms of any home in Toronto as long as they are in the landlord’s “principal residence.”