The Province of British Columbia has announced the launch of a new short-term rental (STR) registry aimed at increasing housing availability by targeting illegal rental operators. The initiative is part of the larger goal by the government to provide more long-term housing options for residents in the province.
“We are taking action to help more people find a home in the communities they love by reining in speculators who are operating illegally,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “The launch of the registry is the next step to provide more long-term homes for people, giving hosts who are playing by the rules the ability to continue to legally operate and welcome guests while further cracking down on speculators who are breaking the rules.”
The primary objective of the STR registry is to regulate and monitor short-term rentals listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. This move is designed to crack down on illegal operators, ensuring that housing units return to the long-term rental market.
Registration, process and compliance
All hosts operating short-term rentals in B.C. will be required to complete an online registration process accessible on the provincial government’s website. Upon registration, hosts will receive a provincial registration number, which must be displayed on all online listings effective May 1, 2025. Non-compliant listings will be removed from platforms starting June 1, 2025.
The registry will implement a tiered fee structure of $100 per year for hosts renting out their principal residence; $450 per year for hosts renting out secondary properties and $600 per year for entire strata hotels.
Hosts who register by February 28, 2025, will receive a 50 per cent discount on fees, and those registering by March 31, 2025, will receive a 25 per cent discount. Revenue generated from these fees will support enforcement and compliance measures across various communities in B.C.
The provincial registry will function in addition to existing municipal regulations, including local business license requirements. This collaborative approach aims to provide a cohesive and comprehensive framework to address housing availability challenges. As Ken Sim, the mayor of Vancouver, stated, “Together, we’re finding the right balance – supporting our thriving tourism industry while also prioritizing housing for our residents.”
Preliminary data from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs indicates a 10 per cent decline in entire home listings on short-term rental platforms in regions with a principal-residence requirement since March 2024. This decline has opened up more housing options for long-term residents. The provincial registry is expected to enhance these efforts by providing additional tools to enforce regulations and prevent illegal listings.
To register, hosts need to complete an online application available here: https://gov.bc.ca/strregistry
