Frequently Asked Questions

A short-term rental is typically a furnished property rented for less than 30 consecutive days, often listed on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Long-term rentals are unfurnished leases of 12 months or more. Medium-term rentals fall in between, usually 30 to 90 days, and are popular with relocating professionals and insurance claimants.

Eligibility depends on your city's bylaws, your property’s zoning designation, and any strata or HOA restrictions. In many Canadian cities, you must live in the property as your principal residence to operate an STR. Our Compliance & Eligibility Review can give you a clear answer within 3-5 business days.

Yes, most Canadian cities require a specific short-term rental license or business license. In British Columbia, you also need a Provincial Registry Number. Requirements and fees vary by municipality, so it's important to check your local regulations before listing.

As of May 2024, British Columbia requires all short-term rental operators to register with the provincial registry and display their registry number on all listings. This applies to all BC municipalities and is enforced through platform compliance — Airbnb and VRBO will remove listings without valid registry numbers.

It depends on your strata bylaws. Many strata corporations in BC and Ontario have bylaws that restrict or prohibit short-term rentals. Even if your city allows STRs, your strata can override that permission. We review strata bylaws as part of our compliance service.

Many cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Victoria, require that you live in the property as your primary home to operate a short-term rental. This means you cannot STR an investment property in these cities. Calgary and Edmonton do not have this requirement, making them more investor‑friendly.

Penalties vary by city but can be severe. Vancouver fines start at $1,000 per day of violation. Toronto can issue fines up to $10,000 per offence. Platforms like Airbnb are also required to remove non‑compliant listings, so operating without a license puts both your income and your listing at risk.

Yes, some cities impose annual caps. Toronto limits entire‑home STRs to 180 nights per year. Vancouver allows 365 nights but only for your principal residence. Calgary and Edmonton have no night limits. These caps only apply to entire‑home rentals — private room rentals are often exempt.

You'll need to report all rental income on your tax return. In BC, you must collect and remit the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) of 8%. In Toronto, there's a 6% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). If your annual revenue exceeds $30,000, you must also register for and collect GST/HST.

Standard homeowner's insurance typically does not cover short-term rental activity. You should notify your insurer and obtain a commercial or STR‑specific policy. Airbnb's Host Protection Insurance provides some coverage, but it should not be your only protection.

Our review covers city bylaw analysis, zoning verification, strata bylaw review (for condos), a detailed compliance checklist, risk assessment, and a 30‑minute expert consultation. You'll receive a clear report outlining what's allowed, what's not, and your next steps.

Co‑hosting means we manage the day‑to‑day operations of your short‑term rental while you remain the licensed host. We handle guest communication, pricing optimization, cleaning coordination, and listing management. You keep ownership and control — we handle the work.

Medium‑term rentals are stays of 30 to 90+ days in fully furnished properties. They're popular with corporate relocations, insurance housing, and remote workers. In many cities where STRs are restricted, medium‑term rentals offer a compliant alternative with stable, predictable income.

Our co‑hosting fees are performance‑based, typically a percentage of your rental revenue. This means we only earn when you earn. Exact rates depend on your property type, location, and service level. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Yes. Our Listing & Setup Support service includes professional photography coordination, listing copywriting optimized for search, pricing strategy, and platform setup across Airbnb, VRBO, and other channels. We make sure your property launches with maximum visibility.

Earnings vary significantly by city, property type, and season. A well‑managed one‑bedroom in downtown Vancouver can earn $3,000‑$5,000/month. Calgary properties often see $2,500‑$4,000/month. Use our Revenue Calculator for a personalized estimate based on your specific property details.

In many cases, yes. Short‑term rentals can generate 2‑3× the income of a traditional long‑term lease, especially in high‑demand areas. However, STRs come with higher operating costs, more management effort, and regulatory requirements. Medium‑term rentals offer a middle ground with good income and lower hassle.

The biggest factors are location, property quality, pricing strategy, and occupancy rate. Professional photography, optimized listings, dynamic pricing, and excellent guest reviews can increase your revenue by 20‑40% compared to a self‑managed listing.

Peak season is generally June through September across most Canadian cities. Whistler also sees strong winter demand (December‑March). In 2026, expect additional demand spikes around FIFA World Cup events in Vancouver and Toronto. Calgary Stampede (July) is another major driver.

Check your strata bylaws or HOA rules first. Many buildings have explicit restrictions on rentals under 30 days. Our STR Buildings tool helps you search for buildings in Metro Vancouver that are known to permit short‑term rentals. You can also request a compliance review for a definitive answer.

In cities with principal residence requirements (Vancouver, Toronto, Victoria), no — you must live there. In Calgary, Edmonton, and Whistler (in approved zones), you can operate STRs on investment properties. Always verify your specific city's rules before proceeding.

Your strata bylaws take precedence for your specific building. Even if the city permits STRs in your zone, your strata corporation can prohibit them. This is one of the most common issues we encounter, which is why we always review strata bylaws as part of our compliance assessment.