The B-C government says analysis of short-term rental data from March showed that more than 19-thousand entire homes in the province are listed for rent for most of the year.
That figure will change starting May 1st, when the new short-term rental rules kick in for more than 60 communities in B-C.
Premier David Eby says the rules will allow the government to crack down on speculators who are effectively operating mini hotels, but it also ensures homeowners can rent out space in their principal residence.
Also starting May 1st, short-term rental platforms such as Air B-and-B will be required to share data with the province, and local governments can request that a platform remove listings that don’t display a valid business licence.