Airbnb is a popular accommodation option for travellers in Toronto. It’s estimated that there are over 8,000 listings on the site, and this number continues to grow each year. As an Airbnb host, there are many benefits to listing your property on the site. It’s a great option, for example, if you’re looking for a change in careers, trying to make passive income, wanting to become your own boss, or looking to rent out your home while you travel or are away for work. It sounds great if you already own a property, but what if you’re in the market for a new condo? Do new development condos in Toronto allow Airbnb rentals? Read on to find out more.
What Is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a website that connects people who have extra space in their homes with people who want to stay there. Airbnb hosts rent out their private rooms or entire homes, often at lower rates than hotels and other lodging options. Airbnb has become popular in recent years because it allows users to travel more affordably while getting a unique experience staying in someone else’s home.
Know the Regulations
The impact of Airbnb on new development condos is one that should be considered by developers and homebuyers alike. The rise in popularity of short-term rentals has resulted in a decrease in available long-term rental units, as well as an increase in competition for available units. While the city continues to grapple with an affordable housing crisis, the City of Toronto amended their short-term rental rules and regulations in November 2019 to dissuade investors from purchasing properties for the use of short-term rentals alone. The new short-term rental rules are such that you can short-term rent your home only if it’s your principal residence. This is the residence where you live and the address you use for bills, identification, taxes and insurance. You can only have one principal residence at a time, so therefore you cannot legally run more than one short-term rental. You can rent up to three bedrooms in your principal residence for an unlimited number of nights per year or the entire home for a maximum of 180 nights per year. Your home must be in a residential area in the city, and you must be registered with the City.
Do New Development Condos Allow Airbnb Rentals?
The short answer is that it depends.
Because of the new rules and regulations, you can only operate an Airbnb out of your principal residence, meaning it’s not a viable option for condo investors who are interested in purchasing property for the sole purpose of renting it out as a short-term rental. That being said, if your plan is to live in your unit and rent it out under the new short-term rental rules and regulations, then there are a number of factors to consider before buying into a pre-construction condo.
One of the most important considerations is whether or not Airbnb rentals are allowed in the building. The restrictions on Airbnb rentals vary from condo to condo, and range from no restrictions at all (for example, some buildings allow short-term rentals year-round) to very few nights allowed per year (for example, only one weeknight per month) to none permitted at all. Condo boards can also place restrictions based on unit type or floor level; for example, some buildings allow only penthouse owners to rent out their units as short-term rentals while others allow any owner who lives in their unit full-time to do so.
Before purchasing a property for short-term rentals such as Airbnb, it’s important to check the preliminary bylaws and ensure that they permit this type of rental. However, it’s worth noting that some developments may prohibit short-term rentals once residents move in. In certain situations, it may be possible to persuade the developer to include grandfather clauses for short-term rentals. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to consult a real estate lawyer before making any decisions.
If you’re looking to rent out your condo on Airbnb, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Make sure that the building allows short-term rentals and has an agreement with Airbnb or another service like it. Many buildings have restrictions against short-term rentals because they want to maintain a sense of community among residents and discourage transient use by people who may not be invested in the building’s success. If you’re considering renting out your unit through Airbnb, ask about these policies before making any decisions about whether or not it’s right for you.
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