Short-term rental hosts frustrated by Montreal’s new rules

For short-term rental hosts in Montreal who follow the rules, the city’s new regulations feel like punishment, says Airbnb host Patrick Assalian.

“These are people that bring money to the community and to Montreal. They bring tax money in, as well as the Airbnb fees to Montreal, so there’s some frustration on their end,” Assalian said.

As a moderator for Montreal’s official Airbnb host group, Assalian is hearing a wave of reactions—ranging from frustration over the city’s lack of consultation to widespread uncertainty about the future.

“People are still confused about dates and the differences between short-term and long-term changes to regulations,” he added.

Starting this summer, Airbnb-style rentals of 31 days or less will only be permitted in primary residences from June to September. Outside that timeframe, they will be largely banned.

That change is causing stress for some hosts, including Odile Chevassus.

“We didn’t get any warning,” she said. ”[The city] asked for a permit, I got my permit — I followed every rule and now they just cut everything.”

Chevassus said that for the last eight years, renting out a unit in her Montreal duplex has been a crucial source of income.

“I’m a freelance worker and an artist, so I need this money — it’s my livelihood,” she explained.

The city argues that short-term rentals remove about 4,000 units from the housing market. However, Airbnb is pushing back against the new bylaw.

In a statement to CTV News, a company spokesperson said: “Rather than focusing on improving its own enforcement, Mayor Plante is proposing extreme rules that will weaken the economy, harm local businesses, drive hotel prices up, and punish responsible hosts who depend on additional income during a cost-of-living crisis.”

Airbnb also contends that short-term rentals do not significantly impact housing availability and that the city’s approach “will not solve the housing crisis.”

The new bylaw is expected to pass in March. Until then, some hosts say they will continue to fight to stop it.