Article from Volume 11, Issue Number 1, 2024
Short Term Rentals The New Landscape
By Duane Rohne | Other articles by Duane Rohne | Feature
The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) tries hard to ensure you, our valued members, are kept up to date about emerging issues within the condominium community, locally, provincially and on the national scene. One such an issue that has captured the attention of many in our community is that of Short-Term Rentals (STRs).
On Jan. 18, 2024, CCI Manitoba hosted a two-hour webinar about STRs. Nearly 200 participants found the time to join us. We were fortunate to have three expert panelists who helped us dissect the landscape of STRs in Winnipeg after April 1, 2024, when the new Winnipeg Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act comes into effect.
Doug Forbes, Terry Cormier and Winston Yee volunteered their time and provided access to their expert knowledge of the landscape.
Doug Forbes is a partner with one of Winnipeg oldest and most respected law firms, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Manitoba condominium industry. Doug also volunteers as a director with the Manitoba Chapter of CCI and has served as the chapter president and national president of CCI.
Winston Yee is the manager of community bylaw enforcement services for the City of Winnipeg.
Terry Cormier is the community bylaw enforcement co-ordinator for the City of Winnipeg.
I recommend taking the time to consider the observations and guidance of Doug, Terry and Winston.
Here are the time stamps from the webinar.
Doug Forbes presentation - 3:55 minutes to 31:30 minutes
Terry Cormier presentation - 31:50 minutes to 48:40 minutes
A question-and-answer session with Doug, Terry and Winston begins at 49:00 minutes and continues to the end of the webinar.
For condominium directors who think they might want to amend their bylaws concerning STRs, Doug offers wording that can be considered.
The units may be used only as single-family residences to be occupied and used as private single-family dwellings. The use of a unit to provide living accommodation occupied on a transient basis similar to a hotel, motel, inn, tourist home or hostel, including where such use is facilitated by such applications and agencies as Airbnb, Vrbo, FlipKey or Vacasa, is a commercial use and is strictly prohibited.
As with all matters concerning condominium declarations, bylaws and rules, before adoption, it’s always prudent to consult your management team (lawyer and property manager).
Terry and Winston explained how the new bylaw regulating short-term rental accommodations affects current and future STRs. The bylaw comes into effect on April 1, 2024. From that date on, all STRs in Winnipeg will require a licence. The following link will take you to the new rules for operating short-term rentals in Winnipeg.
Duane Rohne is a director of CCI Manitoba and was the moderator for the STR webinar. Duane is also the chair of our Communication Committee.
From Issue
Vol. 11, Issue 1, January 2024
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