Winnipeg short-term rental rules ‘disheartening’ for small owners

Changes affecting short-term rentals like Airbnb are looming, and some booted from the market say the requirements got it wrong when it comes to addressing issues around online lodgings.

Dauphin resident Linnea Marohn purchased her condo in Winnipeg as a place to stay during the week after her job transferred her to Winnipeg, renting one of the rooms on Airbnb to help cover ever-increasing costs, saying the spot was booked non-stop.  

“It’s been extremely busy.”

“When I saw these requirements coming in, it completely bumped me right out of any ability to do the Airbnb,” said Marohn. 

“If I had known these types of stipulations were going to be a thing, I don’t think I would have bought that condo.”

But her Airbnb is no more due to the new requirements. Alongside needing a business license, the new rules target short-term rentals brought after February 23, 2023, mandating owners be permanent residents of Winnipeg, can only own one short-term rental, and can only rent out their primary residence. 

Owners who bought properties before must be a permanent resident, or a corporation wholly owned by a Winnipeg resident and can own up to four existing short-term rentals. 

A statement from AIRBNB reads, “We appreciate Winnepeg’s efforts to adopt sensible short-term rental rules that protect the economic benefits home sharing provides to residents and the local economy, and look forward to working closely with the city to support their compliance efforts.” 

So far, 327 people applied for the licences.

Marohn, who is not looking forward to renting her spot long term, says she’s glad to see people continue, as she enjoyed offering a homey place to stay and meeting travellers from around the world.

While she understands there are issues around short-term rentals, the new rules are just too broad, saying there’s a big difference between corporate, “instant-book” Airbnb hosts and owners like herself. 

“It just boots so many people out.”