BC United criticizes changes to new short-term rental laws

The BC United Party says it’s unfortunate new short-term rental laws will be going into effect before next summer.

The provincial government gave final approval Thursday to legislation that will regulate the short-term rental market across the province.

The rules, among other things, will restrict short-term rentals in principal residences only, and go into effect in May.

Karin Kirkpatrick, BC United’s housing critic, believes many existing short-term rentals will be forced to close just in time for the summer.

“A lot of people have already made their plans for next summer, so it’s not giving people very much time to scramble and try and find an alternative,” Kirkpatrick said. “I guess the only alternative is going to be fairly expensive hotels.”

The party supports the regulation of the industry, but Kirkpatrick says the changes should have been introduced at the end of the summer and should have included some flexibility with respect to the location and types of short-term rentals.