Owners of short-term rentals in Halifax’s residential areas face new restrictions
Rules aimed at converting some vacation units into long-term rentals now in effect
Halifax’s new rules for short-term rentals are now in full force, restricting how they can operate in residential neighbourhoods in the hopes of freeing up housing stock.
But the city’s tactic of making different rules for various types of zoning is getting mixed reactions.
The vast majority of short-term rentals like Airbnbs in Halifax are entire homes, such as houses or apartments.
According to the data analysis platform AirDNA, 1,937 listings out of the municipality’s 2,418 active rentals as of Friday were for entire homes. The remaining 481 were private rooms.
As of Sept. 1, both entire-unit rentals and bedroom rentals are only allowed in residential zones if they’re within the owner’s primary residence. Renting out the whole home is allowed when the owner is away. Basement apartments or backyard suites must now be rented out for more than 28 days. …[Continue Reading]